YMCA Basketball: Returning Sports to Kids

By Guest Blogger Chelsea Joslyn, Communications Director for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

At the Y, we believe that sports are about so much more than what happens on the court. YMCA Youth Sports programs help kids become not only become better players, but better people as well.

Here are a few things you may not know about YMCA Basketball:

Basketball was invented at a YMCA. In 1891, James Naismith was teaching at the International YMCA Training School. He was given the challenge of creating a game that could be played indoors during the cold winter months. Hanging simple peach baskets and using a soccer ball, Naismith created the game of basketball and wrote the first 13 rules of the game.

Today, a goal-based approach helps players achieve more. Youth basketball is an exciting sport combining team play and individual skills. But we know that when a child spends the season sitting on a bench or compares themselves to peers instead of focusing on improving their own skills, they miss out on the love of the game. YMCA youth basketball promises no getting cut and no bench warmers! Every child plays at least half of every game while making friends and learning new techniques.

The Y has coaches who care. As a nonprofit organization, it’s important to the YMCA to work with volunteer coaches who focus on character values, active player participation, and fun! While basic skills of the game are developed through practices and games, every child learns sportsmanship and values necessary to be successful in life. Every game begins with a Youth Sports Pledge and ends with a handshake. Interested in volunteering for the Y? Learn more here.

The Y offers a Competitive League. The Association-wide competitive basketball league for 5th grade and up allows players to compete against Ys from a seven county region. This program allows players to experience a more competitive style of basketball in preparation for Middle School and High School basketball. For more information, click here.

YMCA Winter Basketball is a progressive program, with multiple age-specific levels. Every child gets to play and the games are safe, exciting and fun. We encourage fair play, positive competition, and family involvement. Youth sports at the Y are about teaching competition with character. Register now for winter basketball at the Y.

• Sponsored by the YMCA of Northwest NC