Travel Basketball is…

Background

The township enters four teams into various leagues comprised of teams largely from Morris & Sussex counties.  The team levels are listed below.  Please note we do not allow players to “play up” from their grade level unless there is no team fielded at their level and they can compete safely at that higher level:
    • 8th graders
    • 7th graders
    • 6th graders
    • 5th graders
    • 4th graders
Tryouts
Travel Tryout Dates are TBD (but typically occur the 1st or 2nd week in October)
They are preceded by 2 weeks of open gyms to allow the girls to get ready for the tryout.
When travel tryouts are scheduled, an email blast will be sent to all in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  The tryouts are observed by a group of coaches and independent evaluators who are not familiar with the players trying out.  Most, if not all, of the observers have played high school and/or college basketball and are familiar with the level of elementary/middle school basketball play.  They will rate the players and advise the travel director & coach of the travel teams of their ratings.  The travel director and coaches of each travel team will take these ratings under advisement when picking the team.  Decisions to cut or add players are made by the coaches of that specific team, often based on past play, tryout information and skill position needs. Often a player ranked higher in tryouts is passed over because the lower ranked player plays in a needed skill position. Typically, a team is made up of 10 players but can be more or less depending upon number of players trying out and the approach of the designated coach.

Practice/Games

Due to the high level of competition in the league, regular practices are required to prepare the teams. Generally, each travel team will practice 3 times per week (2 weeknights and Saturday). In addition, scrimmages versus other towns may be scheduled by the coach. Travel teams generally play 1 to 2 games per week with the season beginning in December, the League playoff and finals occur in mid-March.  Games during the week can begin as early as  6:15 P.M. or as late as 7:45 P.M. Typically the earlier game times are reserved for the younger teams.  Saturday games are played based on gym availability.  All practices and home games are played at Copeland Middle School.

Transportation

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from all games as well as practices, scrimmages and tournaments.  For games, players are typically required to report to the game site 30 minutes prior to game-time.

Costs

Fees assessed to each player who plays in the travel program are higher than those for the in-house program to help defray the costs related to the travel teams. The program provides uniform shorts for the travel teams.  Players will be required to purchase uniform shirts (personalized with name and number – they keep the shirts), and shooting shirts to be worn during game warm-ups and travel bags if they want them.

Playing Time

Most of the leagues we participate in do not have specific rules regarding playing time.  They typically mirror high school rules for playing time and therefore no minimum amount of time is required.  Substitution of players is determined by coaches based upon strength of opponent, style of play, and player skill level.

Coaches

The following volunteers are the Head Coaches of the Rockaway Township Girls Travel Teams.

8th Grade: Nick Guerra

7th Grade: Jack O’Shea

6th Grade: Nick Guerra

5th Grade:  Anne Shivas

4th Grade:  Marvin Freeman

**PLEASE NOTE: All players trying out for the Travel Division must be registered in the program.  Registration is done via TeamSnap TeamSnap Registration Page

 

By participating in the RT Girls Basketball Program, you are agreeing to abide by these Rules/Restrictions (and any others enacted by the program organizers) and understand they are not negotiable.