2021-2022 Season Information
Travel and 3-6 House Season
Registration Is Open!! (click link below)
All students should register for House League at this time. If you plan to tryout and are selected on a travel team, athletes will then be sent a link to register for travel and pay the remaining balance.
5th/6th Grade Travel Tryouts - October 4th and 5th: East Rapids Elementary
October 11th (make-up date): East Rapids Elementary
5th Grade Boys/Girls: 6:00pm-7:00pm
6th Grade Boys/Girls: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
NOTE: Player must attend BOTH nights of the travel tryouts. If they miss one of the first two nights, they can attend the make-up date.
Registration Closes - October 8th
Practice Starts - October 25th
*K-2 House League will begin January 2022
House League Coordinator Travel League Coordinator
Sarah Oja Freya Dick
218.590.3978 218.259.3553
GRABA MISSION STATEMENT, PURPOSE, & PHILOSOPHY
Our mission is to create a fun, fair, and safe basketball environment that focuses on developing respect for others, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, and basketball skills in our Grand Rapids Area student athletes. We strive to provide the best competition at all grade levels while maintaining the highest degree of participation and sportsmanship.
GRABA Purpose:
To promote, foster and perpetuate the game of basketball at the youth level.
GRABA Philosophy:
Basketball should be a fun and rewarding experience for all: players, coaches, spectators, and referees.
TRAVEL LEAGUE VS. HOUSE LEAGUE
| Travel League (5th/6th Grade Only) | Thunderhawk League | House League | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COST | $525 | $350 | K-2: $100 / 3-6:$150 |
| COMPETITION LEVEL | Play to win while developing team and player skills | FIRST play house league THEN travel league | Emphasis on team and player development |
| GAME LOCATIONS | Most games are located outside the Grand Rapids area | Most games are located within the Grand Rapids area | All games are held at RJEMS |
| GAMES/TOURNAMENTS | 9 weekend tournaments with some 2-day tournaments | 5 weekend tournaments | 2 games per week; held on Saturdays |
| PLAYING TIME | Playing time may not be equal | Playing time will be fair | K-6 equal playing time |
| PRACTICE TIME | 2-3 nights per week | 2-3 nights per week | 1-2 nights per week |
| LENGTH OF SEASON | 5 months (November-March) | 3 months (January-March) | K-2: 4-5 weeks; 3-6: 5-6 weeks |
| UNIFORMS | Parents pay $25, GRABA pays the difference for 1st time GRABA athletes. | Parents pay $25, GRABA pays the difference for 1st time GRABA athletes | Uniforms included with registration |
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I would like to welcome everyone to the Grand Rapids Area Basketball Association’s website. It is the GRABA board’s hope that this website will provide information that is useful and informative.
Since 1996, GRABA has proudly served all the children, grades K-6, who reside in the Grand Rapids School District. The primary goal of GRABA is to sponsor traveling teams in the GRABA Traveling League and administer the elementary school program in our grades K-2 and grades 3-6 House Leagues.
The GRABA board recognizes there are times when issues arise that may cause concerns. If at anytime any of our members have a concern, we urge them to communicate their concerns with a coach, board member, or the board of directors. The GRABA board meetings are open to the public and attendance is encouraged.
As an organization, we are committed to our children and I entrust that all adults who have a role in mentoring, whether a coach, volunteer, board member, or parent on the sideline, will strive to lead by example. GRABA also supports all athletics and activities in Grand Rapids, and encourages our athletes to play multiple sports. GRABA does not support sport specialization.
Lastly, I ask everyone to remember, winning is important, but it is secondary to our mission of striving to mold our children of today into the mentally sound and well-adjusted men and women of tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Matt Wegwerth
GRABA President
