The goals of the Recreational (REC) basketball Divisions are to provide the highest quality fun, positive learning environment for basketball skill and personal character development. To this end, the REC Division encourages good sportsmanship (founded on VABA's Core Values), the proper teaching of basketball fundamentals and a greater sense of purpose beyond basketball. Ultimately, the REC aims to provide a fun environment to play basketball with their peers in a safe, positive environment encouraging team play and good fundamentals.

This is a recreational league aimed at providing a fun environment for learning and playing the game of basketball.  Ultimately, VABA's goal is to strive toward maximizing participants' potential on and off the court while developing a love for the great team sport of basketball.

There are four (4) boys divisions for grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 (JV) and 11-12 (Varsity) and (2) girls divisions for grades 5-6, 7-8. Teams may come pre-formed.  Coaches communicate with league director with a roster (10-players maximum).  Individuals who do not have a desired team/coach in mind will be assigned a team by the league director.  All participants sign up individually.  Games and practices take place at Albemarle County elementary and middle schools.

• Trained Coaches/Coaches Clinics: All REC Head Coaches are professionally trained, through a series of "Coaches' Clinics," on a specific basketball curriculum of Coaching Ethics, Defensive and Offensive Play. All coaches are volunteers. Team Managers and coaches are typically parents of participants. Parents assist with the running of game operations and serve to help support the league mission. There is no charge for REC coaches to attend these clinics.
• Part-time League Director: The Virginia Basketball Academy provides a part-time league director who is entrusted with running the league.
• 8-10 Games: Games are played on Saturday mornings/afternoons/evenings.  Usually teams play one (1) game per week (unless a division has an odd number of teams, in which case, one team in the odd-numbered division can play two games in a given week).  
• Numbered T-shirt: All participants are outfitted in a numbered t-shirt (serves as team jersey).
• Practice & Game Schedule: All teams practice once-a-week (on weekdays) for one-hour with games on weekends (Saturdays).
• League Rules: Teams must play man defense and all coaches carry out VABA's equal playing time rules for all players.
• FULL & PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Cost should not prevent anyone from signing up! In order to provide the highest quality organization and league, it requires significant costs (listed above). The REC League is a program of the Virginia Basketball Academy, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "build character and shape lives through the game of basketball - ensuring opportunities to all potential participants is critical to its purpose and success.  APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TODAY!
• Registration Cost: $185 (approx. $13/week)

*13+ week program (10+ games, 1 practice/week)
*Full & Partial Scholarships Available - apply today!
Girls Grades: 5-6 & 7-8
Boys Grades: 5-6 & 7-8, 9-10 (JV) & 11-12 (Varsity)
Teams are formed on a first come, first serve basis. Each division will accept 8-10 teams. Individual players may sign-up with a desired/requested team/coach in mind (Coaches communicate their rosters to the League Director), or they may sign up as individuals without a team and allow the League Director to assign an appropriate team with an opening.  For questions or more info, please email info@playvaba.org or call 434-806-3436.

Boys/Girls, Grades 5 - 6,  7 - 8
*REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Nov. 1 or until FULL
*No evaluations - teams come pre-formed!
*Individual registrants may request team or League Director will place individuals on teams with openings.  
*Registration opens: July 1                                       
*Registration Deadline: When full! (Email to inquire)
*Team limit per division: 8-10 teams  
*No "cuts" once registered                                  
*Numbered T-shirt   
*1 practice/week (start mid-Nov.)                     
*13-14 total practices (Nov. - Feb.)                             
*Games on Saturdays                     
*8 - 10 games (Dec. - Feb.)                                  

Boys, JV (9-10), Varsity (11-12)
*REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 20 
*No evaluations - teams come pre-formed!
*Individual registrants may request team or League Director will place individuals on teams with openings.  
*Registration opens: July 1                                       
*Registration Deadline: NOVEMBER 20
*Team limit per division: 8-10 teams  
*No "cuts" once registered                                  
*Numbered T-shirt   
*1 practice/week (start mid-Dec.)                     
*13-14 total practices (Dec. - Feb.)                             
*Games on Saturdays                     
*8 - 10 games (Jan. - Feb.)                                  

Interested in the VDBL (Grades 5-8)?