YMCA Little Pal Registration Begins Oct. 2

Nichole jones September 26, 2012 at 06:15 pm

My son is 5 and last winter after fall soccer he had to go to Wtby pal to play basketball because Naugy doesn't let the kids play until their 7. Barely any of the kids showed to practice or games and it's very disorganized.
Why doesn't Naugy start at the age 5 for basketball so we can stay in town and the kids would know some of their teammates.

Joanie Andrew September 26, 2012 at 07:48 pm

The Little Pal Basketball League is an organized league. We start the kids at age 7 for a few reasons. First of all, approx 500 boys and girls ages 7 - 13 are involved in the league. The kids are broken down into age groups and abilities. All teams have one game and one practice per week. Because there is just not enough time in our gym to accommodate all of these games and practices, levels and abilities, fans and players, we also use area schools. In order to add another level (5 and 6 year olds) we would need additional time that we just don't have. We are not the only organization that uses the schools and time in those gyms is limited as well. The younger kids do have a shorter attention span and we feel that they are probably not ready for "league" play. We do however offer a "Skills, Drills and Thrills" program for the younger kids that concentrates more on skill development and fun. This program has run in the "off" season when there is more time in our gym - usually in the spring and summer.

Sam September 29, 2012 at 01:32 pm

I loved how you scheduled the games one right after the other at Hillside last year. It made for a really fun night where the kids could get out and cheer on all their friends, and parents could do the same. I hope you will schedule the games in a similar manner this year.

Ana Cabral-Rivera October 21, 2012 at 01:48 am

Is it too late to register my son?