2011-2012 CYM BASKETBALL

The St. James Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) Basketball Program is part of a competitive basketball league sponsored and regulated by the Diocese of Metuchen CYM Office. Currently the diocese basketball program involves about 260 teams, over 600 coaches and almost 4,000 student-athletes and their families. Teams travel to other schools and parishes throughout the diocese to play games. The St. James basketball program is open to any interested girl or boy in 4^th to 8^th grades whose family is an active member of St. James Parish and attends CCD or is a current student at St. James Parochial School. Fee based registration takes place at the end of September. Teams are formed and coaches assigned in October, followed by the start of practices in late October. The Diocese of Metuchen CYM basketball league games are played on Saturday's beginning on the first weekend in December and end in the middle of March.

In addition to the elementary school age teams, St. James fields young women and young men’s High School age teams for those in 9^th to 12^th grades. This is also part of the Diocese CYM basketball program. Registration for the High School basketball teams usually occurs in the week after Thanksgiving using the same registration forms and fee structure. To be eligible the HS student-athlete’s family must be an active registered member of St. James Parish and not playing on a High School basketball team at any time during the season. High School games start in January with most games played on Sunday afternoons or evenings although the young men’s teams play some games on week nights as well.

The focus of St. James' basketball program is on the following principles:

to demonstrate Catholic values and sportsmanship in competitive situations;
to actively engage our youth in fun and challenging activities;
to develop fitness, sports skills and teamwork;
to demonstrate Catholic values and sportsmanship in competitive situations;
to help mold and cultivate the whole person - soul, intellect, and body of the student-athletes that participate.

Volunteer adult coaches provide the skill training and guidance throughout the season and many other adults provide helpful services to ensure a quality experience. Our appreciation and gratitude goes out to all who are involved in our CYM Basketball Program.

The St. James CYM basketball program is organized and managed by the Basketball Parents Committee (BPC) led by the Director of Basketball who is the liaison with the Diocese CYM Office, St. James School/Parish leaders, the coaches, other basketball organizations, the parents of our student-athletes and an advocate for youth development.

The BPC are dedicated parents who volunteer their time to perform various support activities, such as, administrative paperwork for student-athlete registration, coaches qualification tracking, and Diocese roster oversight. They manage the acquisition and inventory of uniforms; Snack Bar products and restocking; direct the opening Mass ceremonies; coordinate the ‘SPARKLE’ team that helps maintain the gym facilities during the season, etc. In addition to the BPC, all families are required to volunteer time and effort to operate the program. For example, running the Snack Bar and collecting gate entry fees during games, performing Team Parent duties, being a Practice Parent, and various setup and cleanup activities, as the hands and feet of the ‘SPARKLE’ team, etc.

The Director of Basketball is an enabler of educational opportunities for the participating student-athletes, their parents and families and the coaches. Amongst the Director's duties is integrating our Catholic faith within the context of sporting activities in a visible and meaningful way; defining a wholesome environment for youth enjoyment and sportsmanship; and supporting involvement in the CYM basketball program in order that the qualities and skills developed on the basketball court, not only have value in themselves but they hopefully, lead us to a greater sense of fair play, honesty, justice, hard work, and commitment in the more important pursuits of this life and beyond.

Online Registration

www.sportssignup.com/St-James-Basketball-Online-Registration.start

CYM High School Registration

No refunds will be given after the close of registration.

Printable versions of this document are provided in Adobe Portable Document Format. To receive free software to read these documents, visit Adobe's site to download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader (click here).