Due to the paramount priority of safety in today's COVID culture, VABA is moving its winter basketball league outdoors, for the 2020-21 season, in the form of the Polar Bear Basketball League (PBBL). 

Whether indoor facilities are made available by VABA's community partners (Albemarle Co, C'ville City, local private schools, etc.) remains undetermined with no definite time-table.  Regardless, The VABA Team believes it is imperative, given the COVID-culture we are living in, to do everything we can to provide our community's youth a SAFE basketball option - one that is consistent with VABA's brand of mission-centered, positivity and fun!  While it is true we all must make accommodations for best practices, the benefits of team-centered athletics, fun exercise and camaraderie, training, and competition are immeasurable, for our youth, and worth rallying behind for this cause!

• Extended COVID Refund Policy (to Nov. 10): For the ’20-’21 season, VABA has extended its three-term COVID refund policy to Tuesday, November 10.  By extending the refund policy deadline, families can take more time to consider their child(ren)’s participation in the PBBL.    
• Registration deadline moved to Tuesday, November 10: Opening flexibility with regard to the total # of teams VABA can accept – REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED:  

By extending the registration deadline, VABA is creating more flexibility with regard to the total quantity of teams it may be able to accommodate (SEE BELOW FOR WHERE PRACTICES/GAMES WILL TAKE PLACE).  Because practices & games are held outdoors (converted tennis courts), VABA has afforded a greater capacity for participation.  Those registered for original indoor league have more time to consider the PBBL format changes. 

• PRACTICES BEGIN WEEK OF JANUARY 4: For the ’20-’21 season, VABA will begin practices the week of January 4.  The additional time will allow VABA to plan accordingly. 
• GAMES BEGIN WEEK OF JANUARY 9-10 (guided by VHSL): For the ’20-’21 season, VABA’s game schedule will begin the weekend of January 9-10.  The additional time will allow VABA to plan accordingly with regard to staffing, officials, etc. 
• Volunteer Coaches/Team Manager Training will be done virtually: Normally, all VABA Volunteer coaches would be required to attend one (1) in-person coaches’ workshop.  For the ’20-’21 season, VABA will provide 3-4 dates for virtual Coaches Workshops.  All Head and Assistant Coaches would be required to attend.  Team Managers would be required to attend a portion of the Coaches Workshop. These dates will be the following (all 5:30 – 9:00 pm): December 4, 6, 10, 13. 
• Limited/Delayed fall evaluations  for JBL (grds. 1-4) & VDBL(grds. 5-8):

• Pre-season Evaluations are TBD.  Dates, times & locations would be scheduled IF necessary.  This decision is dependent on the quantity of teams.  It is possible NO evaluations will take place.  In this event, VABA would do its best, using 2019-20 evaluations to form teams and/or create opportunities for limited evaluations via invitation only (SPECIFIC TO BOYS GOLD/SILVER LEAGUES).

• Practices & Games Held Outdoors:
  Practices & Games occur outdoors at converted tennis courts (playing 4-on-4).  Outdoor basketball provides the safest* environment for athletics during this time.  Portable goals (SEE #5) are used for practices and games (Jan-Feb temps range 40-50).  Tennis court areas also have a physical barrier (chain-link fence) to ensure only practice/game personnel may enter.

• MASKS REQUIRED: All team personnel, fans required to wear masks at all times (VABA Masks included with registration).  Masked players/coaches ensure best safety * practices.  

• Roster size = EIGHT (8): Games are played 4-on-4 (to accommodate narrower court), and especially to ensure better physical distancing (with narrower tennis court).  Physical distancing ensures best safety* measures.

• Players Outfitted in "Polar Bear"/Outdoor Radiator Base-layer Gear:  Including VABA Mask, additional PBBL Gear is available (long-sleeve, legging/pants, hat/head-warmer).

• Portable Basketball Goals SPONSORED:  Community companies & corporations sponsor hoops which are donated to families, youth groups, schools, etc.

*COVID-related

Click here....General League Info

JUNIOR: Grades 1 - 2 (Girls / Boys)

JUNIOR: Grades 3 - 4 (Girls / Boys)

• GIRLS
• BOYS (Piedmont, Commonwealth)

DEVELOPMENTAL: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8

• GIRLS (Grades 5-6, 7-8)
• BOYS: Gold (5, 6, 7, 8), Silver (5-6, 7-8)

RECREATIONAL: Grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12

• GIRLS (Grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12)
• BOYS: (Grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12)
   

• Outdoor Basketball: All practices occur outdoors at designated/assigned tennis courts (converted to basketball courts with portable basketball goals).  Practice locations specified and communicated to coaches. 
• Limited Roster Size (8 total):  Rosters are limited to eight (8) maximum players.  4-on-4 ensures better physical distancing* on the court.
• Health Affidavit à Parents check-off/sign health affidavit form provided by the coach prior to participation in practices and/or games.  Temperature checks may be done by team personnel (no VABA official present).
• Players & Coaches remain MASKED AT ALL TIMES (prior, during and after participation) à Players receive a VABA/PBBL “gator mask” for participation.  Players & Coaches must wear masks at all times!
• Parents/Fans Remain outside Fenced Court Area:  Parents/Fans remain outside the tennis court fence.  The fence serves as a physical barrier to ensure only “game personnel” on the courts.  Practice-personnel only.
• Staggered Practice Schedule à Practices staggered 15 minutes apart.  Teams must depart within 5 minutes of the end-time to their practices.  Courts must be cleared before new teams can take the court. 
• Maximum Facility Capacity à Only Players & Coaches (& VABA Personnel) are permitted on the court.
• Player Duffle Bags containing the following:
  • Labeled, filled water bottle.  Labeled hand-sanitizer.
  • Labeled, individual basketballà Players must bring their own basketballs (coaches do not supply basketballs).  Player basketballs must be prominently labeled. 
• Spaced “Home-base” for Player belongings à Players directed by the head coach to place duffle bag physically distanced from other teammates.  During breaks, players restricted to their “home-base.”
• Immediate Dismissal, Parent Pick-up à Players gather belongings immediately following practice, and leave facility at designated exits (guided by the coaches).  No “free-shooting”/loitering after practice.  Coaches escort the team (as a team) out of the practice facility and coordinate parent pick-up until all players have been collected. 

• Outdoor Basketball: All games occur outdoors at designated/assigned tennis courts (converted to basketball courts with portable basketball goals).  Game locations specified and communicated to coaches. 
• Limited Roster Size (8 total):  Rosters are limited to eight (8) maximum players.  Games will be 4-on-4 (no exceptions).  4-on-4 ensures better physical distancing on the court.
• Health Affidavit  & Temperature Checksà Parents check-off/sign health affidavit, via the SAC Card, prior to participation in practices and/or games.  Players receive temperature checks prior to entering court area (100+ will not be permitted to enter the court area).
• Players, Coaches & Supervisors remain MASKED AT ALL TIMES (prior, during and after participation) à Players receive a VABA/PBBL “gator mask” for participation.  Players & Coaches must wear masks at all times! Parents/Fans remain outside the tennis court fence.  The fence serves as a physical barrier to ensure only “game personnel” on the courts.
• Staggered Game Schedule à Games staggered 15 minutes apart. Teams must depart within 5 minutes of the completion of their game.  Courts must be cleared before new teams can take the court. 
• Specific Game-Entry Protocol à
  • Teams enter one team at a time with coach.  Players masked, temperatures taken outside court area.
• Maximum Capacity à Only assigned Game Personnel may enter court area (players, 2 coaches, 1 PT keeper). 
• Sanitized “VABA Basketballs” for game-play
• Spaced, Numbered Seating à Sidewalk Chalk is used to designated sitting areas for team members.  Teams must bring their own chairs for each player. 
• Hand-sanitizer à for each player prior to stepping on the court.  Players subbing out of the game will also be prompted to sanitize their hands.  VABA hand sanitizer will be available on each court. 
• Players bring their own water bottle à There is no sharing of water bottles (water fountains will NOT be available for refills)
• Required items for Players to enter on game-day à Labeled duffle bag containing the following:
  • SAC Card including confirmation that Health Affidavit completed online. 
  • Labeled, filled water bottle (no water-fountain refills)

• Help support positive, safe, outdoor youth activities during COVID
• COMMUNITY GOODWILL VALUE: Company name prominently displayed on BOTH sides of the backboard
• Sponsors “own” their goals and may donate hoop to underprivileged family, community youth organization, Salvation Army/Goodwill, or local school, etc.

• $500 ($600 includes Jersey Sponsor as well!)
• Complete ONLINE SPONSORSHIP FORM
• Hoops are used by VABA basketball teams for outdoor practices & games.
• Company owns basketball hoop
• Company name prominently displayed on BOTH sides of the backboard.  Players & Fans will SEE YOUR COMPANY NAME!
• VABA Needs 60 HOOPS & 60 SPONSORS:

Sponsors may DONATE THEIR HOOP to underprivileged family, community youth organization, Salvation Army/Goodwill, or local school, or KEEP it for their neighborhood!

Radiator Base-layer Thermal Long-sleeve & Pant/Legging:

PBBL Participants have the option of purchasing (at a reduced VABA-only price) a

PBBL-logoed long sleeve “cold gear” top (to be worn under the uniform top).  This item would keep the player warm (containing body heat), yet allow freedom of movement for full competition.