FAQs: Youth Sports
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS
Learn more about policies and procedures for our Youth Sports programs.
COMPETITIVE SPORTS
Q: WHAT COMPETITIVE SPORTS DOES THE Y OFFER?
We currently have three (3) competitive sports programs​
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The Barracudas Swim Team
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Georgia Kings, Boys Travel Basketball
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Georgia Storm, Girls Travel Basketball
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Q: HOW OLD MUST MY CHILD BE TO TRYOUT FOR ONE OF THE COMPETITIVE TEAMS?
Ages vary by program
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The Barracudas Swim Team accepts children ages 4-18
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Georgia Kings, Boys Travel Basketball, accepts grades 3rd - 11th
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Georgia Storm, Girls Travel Basketball, accepts grades 3rd - 11th
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Q: WHEN ARE TRYOUTS?
Tryouts vary by program
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The Barracudas Swim Team conducts tryouts on a rolling basis
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Our Travel Basketball Programs have tryouts each February
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REGISTRATION
Q: HOW DO I REGISTER MY CHILD?
Visit the Youth Sports home page to view available programs and register.
Q: HOW DOES THE REFUND POLICY WORK?
Cancellations received before the first practice are eligible for a full refund. Once practices have begun, but before the first game has been played, we will offer a full credit for YMCA programs. After the first game has been played we are unable to give any refunds or system credits.
Q: WHO CAN PLAY?
YMCA sports leagues are open to boys and girls of all skill levels. Participants do not need a YMCA membership to participate.
Q: HOW ARE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS PLACED ON TEAMS?
Participants are placed on teams based on their age and requests. The information you provide on the registration questionnaire plays a large role in how teams are drafted.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A SPECIFIC TEAM REQUEST?
We try to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee requests will be honored. Refunds are not provided due to an unfulfilled request. For teammate or coach requests, you must indicate whom you are requesting on the registration questionnaire.
Q: DO YOU ACCEPT TEAM RESERVATIONS?
Yes, but all participants must register prior to the season registration deadline and must indicate the teammate/coach you are requesting on the registration questionnaire.
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Teams must also have a coach secured prior to registering as a team. Since our league is based on individual registrations, a team may have additional players added to their team if the team does not meet the maximum number of players allotted per team.
SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS
Q: WHAT IS A SPECIALTY SPORTS CAMP?
We have a variety of specialty sports camps that run throughout the summer. These sports camps will combine the traditional fun of YMCA day camps with the more specialized skills of our local and YMCA experts.
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*Your child must be registered with one of our Summer Day Camps in order to participate in this specialty program.
Q: WHAT TYPE OF SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS DO YOU OFFER?
- BASKETBALL - development of game skills such as passing, shooting, and dribbling.
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GIRL POWER - empowering our female campers by developing their confidence through sports.
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SOCCER - development of game skills such as passing, receiving, shooting, footwork, and dribbling.
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VOLLEYBALL - enhance basic to intermediate techniques through passing, setting, blocking, defense, serving, and attacking drills.
Q: WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS
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Youth who are both registered with one of our Summer Day Camps & are between the ages of 7-12.
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Please visit our 'Summer Day Camp' page for additional information
TEAM INFORMATION
Q: WHO CAN PLAY?
YMCA sports leagues are open to boys and girls of all skill levels. Participants do not need a YMCA membership to participate.
Q: HOW ARE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS PLACED ON TEAMS?
Participants are placed on teams based on their age and requests. The information you provide on the registration questionnaire plays a large role in how teams are drafted.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A SPECIFIC TEAM REQUEST?
We try to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee requests will be honored. Refunds are not provided due to an unfulfilled request. For teammate or coach requests, you must indicate whom you are requesting on the registration questionnaire.
Q: DO YOU ACCEPT TEAM RESERVATIONS?
Yes, but all participants must register prior to the season registration deadline and must indicate the teammate/coach you are requesting on the registration questionnaire.
​
Teams must also have a coach secured prior to registering as a team. Since our league is based on individual registrations, a team may have additional players added to their team if the team does not meet the maximum number of players allotted per team.
Q: HOW MANY PLAYERS ON A TEAM?
The number of players on a team varies based on the age group, on the number of players required on the field/court, plus 2-3 additional players. The maximum number of players on a team is usually based on doubling the participants required on the field/court. For example, if an age group plays 5v5, the minimum on a roster is 8 with a maximum of 10.
Q: HOW ARE GRADE/AGE DIVISIONS DETERMINED?
We always strive to have single age/grade divisions. At times, we may have to combine certain age/grades together in order to have enough teams in each age/grade division. This is determined once registration has closed and we have an opportunity to build teams.
UNIFORMS & SUPPLIES
Q: DOES THE YMCA SUPPLY UNIFORMS?
Uniforms are included in your registration costs. Returning players are encouraged to bring back their jersey from the previous season.
Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING FOR MY CHILD?
The following should be brought to all practices and games:
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Soccer: A soccer ball with your child’s name on it and a water bottle. Cleats are highly recommended, but not required (no cleats with toe stud). Shin guards must be worn during all games.
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Basketball: A basketball with your child’s name on it, water bottle, and tennis shoes with non-marking sole.
Q: WHAT SIZE BALL WILL MY CHILD NEED?
The YMCA will provide all equipment, but if you would like to invest in a personal ball for your child, we recommend the following:
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Soccer:
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U4-U8: Size 3
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U9-U12: Size 4
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U13+: Size 5.
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Basketball:
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Little Dribblers-3rd grade: Size 27.5
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4th-6th grade: Size 28.5
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7th-8th grade: Size 29.5.
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Q: WHAT TYPES OF AWARDS ARE GIVEN?
Each player will receive an individual participation award.
VOLUNTEERING/COACHING
Q: I AM INTERESTED IN BEING A VOLUNTEER COACH. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Fill out our volunteer interest form to get started.
Q: WHAT WILL THE YMCA PROVIDE COACHES?
Prior to the season, we hold a meeting and clinic for all coaches. Coaches receive practice plans, rules of play, field/court expectations, etc.
Q: WHEN WILL I HEAR FROM MY CHILD'S COACH?
You will hear from your coach after our coaches' meeting, which is about one to two weeks prior to the start of the season. Your coach will receive the team roster at this time, and they are encouraged to contact you, either by phone or email, with details on the upcoming season as soon as possible.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MY CHILD'S COACH?
Contact our Assistant Director of Sports and Recreation, Antonio Mathis. In many of these cases, we have found the contact information we have for you on file is incorrect so we will need to update your contact information.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A SPECIFIC TEAM REQUEST?
We try to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee requests will be honored. Refunds are not provided due to an unfulfilled request. For teammate or coach requests, you must indicate whom you are requesting on the registration questionnaire.