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Waiting List Policies, Protocols & Processes

waiting List for winter league registration

The VABA Winter League Waiting List is accumulated after registrations maximize allocated team roster spots. 

This is a result of a couple of factors: (1) Limited gym space/access secured by VABA  in a given season and (2) Maximum number of roster spots (10) allocated for each team.  Each team has a maximum of 10 roster spots (with some occasional exceptions in the JBL 1-2 Division when 11 roster spots are made available in specific circumstances). 

VABA must set initial team limits until all rosters are complete and gym space is finalized.  Gym space reservations are submitted months in advance and are negotiated directly with and through the public school systems (as well as affiliated private schools).   Facility reservations are made at  the earliest allowable date, and confirmation on reservation requests are a result of parameters set by the local school districts and availability.  

Waiting List timelines and important dates and protocols:

  • Registration Opens July 1 (all Waiting List Registrations in July will receive updates on August 1).  
  • Waiting List Registrants will receive Roster Updates on the 1st and 15th of August, September and October.  The final group Waiting List Update is on October 15.  As openings come available, Waiting List Registrants may be invited off the waiting list and pay balance of league tuition/fee.   This is done according to earliest date and time of Waiting List Registration.
  • VABA Families completing the Waiting List submission ($100 deposit) are locked in to VABA until October 16. "Locked in" indicates that VABA "Waiting List Families/Registrants" are obligated to complete the registration process by paying balance or lose their deposit (if they opt out) - if/when a roster spot becomes available before October 16.  On October 16, VABA Waiting List Families/Registrants may opt out of their league registration by submitting such request, in writing, via email, to info@playvaba.org.
  • In effect, the $100 deposit is only refundable under the following circumstance: 
    (1) If, at any date on or after October 16, VABA informs the Waiting List Family that there is no room on the desired "feeder" team.  A family may choose to remain on the "Waiting List," and VABA will continue to work to find an opening. 
    (2) VABA presents a roster spot on a "non-feeder team " (i.e. a team that is NOT matched with the players school-affiliated team).
    (3) If, the Waiting List Family chooses to remove their child's name from the Waiting List - by expressing, in writing - at which time VABA would return the $100 deposit.  

    Waiting List Process:
     
  • VABA Families add their name to the "VABA Winter League Waiting List" by submitting a deposit of $100.  This deposit demonstrates their commitment to VABA.  
  • VABA accepts Waiting List commitment by working to secure an open roster spot on the desired school "feeder-team" (matching school and/or high school affiliation).  Email and/or phone messages inquiring about "holding a spot" and/or "how many spots are left?" cannot be replied to with any affirmation.  Only completing the Waiting List Registration (with $100 deposit) officially holds a spot on the Waiting List.  It is NOT permissible to register for a non-affiliated "feeder team" which would take the spot of an actual correctly placed "feeder team" roster spot.  Doing so will result in a full refund and a removal from any roster and such names will not be added to the Waiting List by default.  The best approach is to officially add your child's name to the Waiting list of his/her appropriate "feeder team" by submitting your Waiting List Registration (and $100 deposit hold).
  • In the event that VABA contacts the VABA Family, in writing, regarding an opening on the correct (i.e. school-associated) school-affiliated team grouping (by October 15), the Waiting List Family would be obligated to pay the balance and finalize the registration.
  • In the event that VABA contacts the VABA Family, in writing, regarding an opening on a different school-affiliated team (in other words, a "Black Knight" opening is available for a "Warrior" family), the family has the option to decline this invitation and receive their $100 refundable deposit.  


    Waiting List Priority Progression:
  • The VABA Waiting List process adheres to the following protocol:
    (1) Waiting List Placement Priority is made chronologically, according to the date and time the Waiting List Registration is submitted (with $100 deposit hold). 
    (2) In the event that a Head Coach opening is available for the child's school-affiliated team grouping, a Waiting List Placement Priority MAY also be given to families with a parent who submits a Head Coaching Application and commits to complete VABA Certification and all Coaching Requirements.  In other words, a family whose parent submits a Coaching Application as a Head Coach and commits to complete VABA Certification & Coaching Commitments will be moved to the top of the Waiting List.   Families who submit Head Coaching Applications would be given consideration only provided there is a Coaching Opening.      Families who submit Assistant Coaching Applications would be given consideration if only provided there is an Assistant Coaching Opening.    
  • The VABA Waiting List communication process works in the following way (1) July Waiting List Registrants will receive an email, with an update, by August 1 or an opening comes available.  All Waiting List updates will be given (a) When Openings become available (b) On the 1st and the 15th of each month prior to team assignments.  Waiting List Openings will be communicated BEFORE official Team Assignments are made.  
  • Once again, if a family chooses to withdraw their name from the Waiting List, this must be communicated in writing (via email) BEFORE an opening to the school-affiliated (i.e. "feeder") team grouping has been communicated by The VABA Team and only after October 15.