1. Freedom Irish Basketball Welcome!

2. Youth Philosophy Purpose The purpose of Freedom Irish Boys Basketball is to promote the secondary part of education. We feel extra curricular activities are important in developing a well rounded student. We hope to emphasize basketball as an integral part of the educational process. We promote high ideals of good citizenship, sportsmanship and teamwork. The program wants to have good students and good people as well as good basketball players.

3. 3 rd & 4 th grade opportunities 1.Saturday morning program 2.Little Dribblers 3.Heart of Valley league (4 th ) 4.Tournament team play

4. Concussion Forms  State law  Every player must have concussion form on file. Should have done when you registered on-line  All coaches & helpers must take on-line concussion test

5. Saturday morning program  3 rd grade 9:15 -10:30  4 th grade 10:30 - Noon  November – December (meet 5 times)  Focus on developing fundamentals  Eventually 5 on 5 games occur  High school coaches and varsity players work with the 3 rd & 4 th graders.

6. Heart of Valley League  4 th grade is part of league this year  Games are on November 7, 14, and December 5  2 or 3 games each day  Practices begin in October  Another opportunity, not a requirement  Can still do tourney teams without doing this

7. Tournaments  Many 3 rd graders are not ready both physically & emotionally for the high intensity of tournaments  However, there is a strong feeling amongst some that this is the age where kids begin to play tournaments

8. Tournaments Tournaments  Tournaments will be financed through the boys basketball program.  Boys interested must participate in the Saturday morning program.  Size & # of teams to be determined by interest level.  Up to three tournaments per team  All interested players will be placed on a team.

9. Coaches  All parents interested in coaching and/or helping coach should indicate on sign-up sheet.  Lead coach at each level  Coach’s clinic: Sunday, September 27 4-6 pm @ Field House gym

10. Parent Workers  At some point during the season you may be asked to help out with game day operations: Score clock, score book, concessions, door. Please help out and thank you in advance. Your continued help and support allows your sons to have the opportunity to play.

11. Player Burnout In 2007 48 million kids nationwide participating in organized sports In 2007 48 million kids nationwide participating in organized sports 73 percent of these kids quit their childhood sport by the age of thirteen because they simply are not having fun anymore.73 percent of these kids quit their childhood sport by the age of thirteen because they simply are not having fun anymore.

12. Player Burnout  Allow you son to enjoy the game.  Encourage him by being supportive.  Remember that the coaches are coaching at practice. Try not to make the ride home or the dinner table another practice session.  Winning isn’t everything. Focus on player improvement.

13. AAU thoughts  AAU provides another opportunity for your son to play basketball.  There are a variety of AAU programs out there.  There are a variety of opinion out there about AAU  See handout for some things to consider.

14. Sign – up  Forms for sign-up need to be returned to the school office by September 25.  Please indicate on the form if you are interested in helping out as a coach for tournaments.

15. Fundraiser  New Morning Coffee Roasters’ coffee  Festival Foods card  September 8 – September 25  Make check payable to Freedom Boys Basketball. ($20 buy-out)  Turn forms and money into school office or get to John Van Rossum @ FMS.  Thank you!!

16. Fundraiser  Simon’s Cheese – Little Chute  Takes place on Saturday, October 24  20% of all sales go to program  Present flyer at time of purchase  May copy and give flyer to others  Can not hand out flyers at Simon’s Cheese

17. Apparel  Eagle Graphics (Kaukauna)  September/October and November  Order forms will be sent via e-mail and will be posted on high school basketball web page  Orders will be done on-line

18. Freedom Backcourt Club  They are a support system for boys & girls programs.  Their philosophy is not to be involved with youth tournament teams.  Help fill many of the needs for the programs when the school budget can not. ($60,000 since 2000)  Interested in joining? Contact Jason Vosters vostersj@gmail.com vostersj@gmail.com