WGBA Policies

Wayzata Girls Basketball Association policies are designed to support a positive, fair, safe, and development-focused experience for players, families, coaches, and volunteers.

These policies provide general guidance for WGBA programs, including Travel, House/Rec, Junior Jammers, and other development opportunities. WGBA reserves the right to review unique situations on a case-by-case basis. When needed, the WGBA Board or a designated sub-committee may make decisions in the best interest of the association and impacted parties.

Player Eligibility

WGBA programs are intended for girls who attend school in the Wayzata School District and/or live within the district boundaries.

Players who live outside the Wayzata district may be considered if their home district does not offer a comparable girls basketball program or if other special circumstances apply. Final eligibility decisions are made by WGBA.

Non-Discrimination Policy

WGBA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status.

WGBA is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all players, families, coaches, officials, and volunteers.

Registration and Late Registration

Players must be registered by the stated deadline to be guaranteed consideration for placement in the appropriate WGBA program.

Late registrations may be accepted on a space-available basis. WGBA will make reasonable efforts to place late registrants, but placement on a preferred team, grade, program, or location is not guaranteed.

A late fee may be applied to registrations received after the published deadline.

Fees and Refunds

Program fees must be paid by the stated deadline in order for a player to participate in tryouts, evaluations, practices, games, or other WGBA activities.

For Travel Basketball, players who try out but are not placed on a team will receive a full refund. Players who are placed on a Travel team and choose not to participate are not eligible for a refund.

Refunds for House/Rec, Junior Jammers, camps, clinics, or other WGBA programs may vary by program and timing. WGBA reserves the right to make refund decisions based on costs already incurred, roster impact, and other circumstances.

Withdrawal After Travel Team Placement

If a player is placed on a Travel team and the family chooses to withdraw after team placements are announced, the player may be ineligible for WGBA Travel participation the following season. Because post-placement withdrawals can significantly impact roster balance, team formation, tournament planning, and other players in the grade, WGBA may also consider the family’s broader WGBA participation, including siblings, when determining future eligibility.

WGBA reserves the right to review unique circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Financial Assistance

WGBA strives to make basketball accessible to families in the Wayzata community. Families experiencing financial hardship may request financial assistance or a fee reduction.

Requests will be reviewed confidentially by designated WGBA representatives. Assistance may vary based on need, available funds, and program costs.

Travel Tryouts and Team Placement

Players who wish to participate in Travel Basketball are expected to attend all scheduled tryout sessions.

Tryouts are closed to parents and spectators. Players must be registered and paid in full before participating.

Team placement is based on current season tryout performance and evaluator input. Prior season information may be reviewed for context, but current tryout results are the leading factor in placement decisions. WGBA leadership makes final team placement decisions.

Tryout results will be communicated according to the timeline shared before tryouts.

Tryout Absence

Because tryouts are the primary method for evaluating and placing Travel players, attendance is required.

In limited circumstances, such as injury, illness, or another significant conflict, WGBA may excuse a player from part or all of tryouts. Documentation in advance is required.

When a player has an approved tryout absence, WGBA may consider prior tryout results, coach evaluations, past performance, input from knowledgeable coaches or evaluators, and other relevant information to determine appropriate placement. Placement at the same level as the prior season is NOT guaranteed.

Playing Up

WGBA’s general expectation is that players participate with their current grade level.

A player may not play down to a younger grade level.

Requests to play up must be submitted to WGBA for review prior to tryouts. Playing up is considered only in rare circumstances when WGBA determines that it is appropriate for the player and the program.

A player seeking to play up must be the strongest player in her current grade based on tryout and coach evaluation scores, must tryout up a grade level, and must finish in the top three at that older level. If the player does not finish in the top three of the older level during that tryout, she will be placed in her current grade-level program.

Second-grade players are not eligible to play 3rd Grade Travel Basketball due to limited roster spots and program structure.

Player Commitment and Attendance

Players are expected to commit to the expectations of the program in which they participate.

Travel Basketball requires a higher level of commitment, including consistent attendance at practices, games, tournaments, and team events. House/Rec and development programs may have different time commitments, but consistent participation is still expected.

Occasional absences are understandable. However, repeated absences, lack of communication, or inconsistent commitment may affect playing time, team role, or future participation.

Families should understand the expected time commitment before registering.

Playing Time

WGBA believes all players should have the opportunity to develop through practice and game experience.

For Travel Basketball, players should generally receive an average minimum of 10 minutes per game over the course of the season. Playing time may vary by game based on attendance, effort, attitude, understanding of team concepts, practice habits, player readiness, injury, disciplinary issues, and game circumstances.

Playing time in House/Rec programs should be as balanced as reasonably possible, while still allowing coaches to manage safety, effort, attendance, and team needs.

Playing time is not guaranteed to be equal in Travel Basketball.

Coach Selection

WGBA strives to provide qualified, positive, and committed coaches for all teams and programs.

Coaches may include parent volunteers, non-parent coaches, former players, and other qualified individuals. WGBA considers basketball knowledge, coaching experience, communication skills, ability to develop players, parent and player feedback, prior coaching performance, and overall program needs when selecting coaches.

All coaches must complete required background checks and any required training or certification, which may include concussion training, first aid, Trusted Coaches, Positive Coaching Alliance, or other programs designated by WGBA or its governing partners.

Final coaching assignments are made by WGBA.

Coach Expectations

WGBA coaches are expected to create a positive, safe, challenging, and development-focused environment.

Coaches should:

• Place player well-being ahead of winning.
• Teach basketball fundamentals and team concepts.
• Model sportsmanship and respect.
• Communicate clearly with players and families.
• Treat players fairly and with dignity.
• Encourage effort, teamwork, confidence, and resilience.
• Follow WGBA policies and applicable league or tournament rules.
• Maintain conduct, judgment, and personal behavior consistent with the responsibilities of coaching and supervising youth athletes.

Coaches should balance competitiveness with development and remember that youth basketball is ultimately for the benefit of the players.

Parent and Spectator Expectations

Parents and spectators play an important role in creating a positive basketball experience.

WGBA expects parents and spectators to:

• Cheer positively for players and teams.
• Respect coaches, officials, opponents, and other families.
• Allow coaches to coach and officials to officiate.
• Support their player’s development, effort, and attitude.
• Accept team placement and playing time decisions respectfully.
• Follow WGBA’s communication process when concerns arise.
• Avoid behavior that is disruptive, abusive, intimidating, or detrimental to the team or association.

Parents and spectators may be subject to disciplinary action if their behavior does not meet WGBA expectations.

Player Expectations

WGBA players are expected to represent themselves, their team, and the association with effort, respect, and sportsmanship.

Players should:

• Attend practices and games consistently.
• Give their best effort.
• Listen to coaches.
• Support teammates.
• Respect opponents, officials, coaches, parents, and volunteers.
• Avoid profanity, taunting, bullying, or disrespectful behavior.
• Be on time and prepared.
• Take responsibility for their own development.

Coaches may address minor behavior issues directly. Serious or repeated behavior concerns may be referred to WGBA.

Conduct and Discipline

WGBA is committed to maintaining a respectful and safe environment.

Unacceptable conduct may include, but is not limited to:

• Verbal abuse, harassment, bullying, or intimidation.
• Disrespect toward players, coaches, officials, parents, opponents, or volunteers.
• Disruptive behavior at games, practices, tournaments, or WGBA events.
• Inappropriate texts, emails, social media activity, or other communications related to WGBA.
• Poor sportsmanship.
• Behavior that undermines a team, coach, player, or the association.

WGBA may address conduct concerns through verbal warnings, written warnings, suspension from participation or attendance, removal from a team or event, or other action deemed appropriate.

While WGBA may use a progressive discipline approach when appropriate, serious behavior may result in immediate action. Discipline decisions will be made case by case by the WGBA Board or designated committee.

When a parent or coach is subject to discipline, WGBA will make reasonable efforts to avoid negatively affecting the player’s participation unless the situation requires otherwise.

Communication and Conflict Resolution

WGBA encourages respectful, timely, and direct communication.

For concerns related to a player’s role, playing time, coaching, or team experience, families should follow this process:

1. Player and parent discuss the concern together.
2. Player and parent meet with the coach at an appropriate time.
3. If unresolved, player and parent may request a meeting with the coach and appropriate WGBA program director.

Meetings should not take place immediately before, during, or after games or practices unless the coach agrees.

The player should be included in age-appropriate conversations. This helps ensure the player’s perspective is understood and supports healthy problem-solving.

General concerns involving safety, coach conduct, parent behavior, or issues affecting the broader team may be brought directly to the appropriate WGBA program director.

Health, Safety, and Injuries

Player safety is a priority for WGBA.

Players should not participate in practices, games, or events if they are injured, ill, or otherwise unable to safely participate.

If a player suffers a suspected concussion or significant injury, WGBA may require removal from play and medical clearance before the player returns to participation.

Coaches, parents, and players are expected to communicate promptly and responsibly about injuries, illness, or safety concerns.

Background Checks and Abuse Prevention

WGBA requires coaches and other designated volunteers to complete background checks and required safety training before working with players.

WGBA expects all adults involved in the association to maintain appropriate boundaries, communicate responsibly, and prioritize player safety.

Concerns related to inappropriate conduct, abuse, harassment, or player safety should be reported promptly to WGBA leadership.

Adult Supervision and Player Interaction

WGBA coaches and volunteers should avoid being alone one-on-one with a player in any setting connected to WGBA activities, including practices, games, tournaments, team events, hallway conversations, pre- or post-practice meetings, and other program-related interactions.

Whenever possible, at least two adults should be present when players are under WGBA supervision. This may include another coach, assistant coach, parent, facility staff member, or other responsible adult.

WGBA recognizes that brief, incidental moments may occur during normal transitions, such as a coach arriving before another coach, players entering or leaving a gym, or a short exchange before or after practice. Coaches and volunteers are expected to use good judgment, keep interactions observable and appropriate, and avoid isolated or private one-on-one situations.

This policy is intended to help protect players, coaches, volunteers, and families by promoting safe, transparent, and accountable interactions.

Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Abuse Prevention

WGBA has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, abuse, grooming behavior, inappropriate physical contact, inappropriate communication, or any conduct that compromises player safety or dignity.

Any concern involving sexual misconduct, harassment, abuse, or inappropriate adult-player behavior should be reported promptly to WGBA leadership. If there is an immediate safety concern, families should contact law enforcement or emergency services first.

WGBA will take all reports seriously, respond with care for the affected player and family, and take appropriate action, which may include removal from WGBA activities, suspension or termination of coaching or volunteer duties, reporting to law enforcement or child protection authorities, and cooperation with any official investigation.

WGBA maintains an internal safety reporting protocol to guide board response in these situations. Nothing in WGBA policy prevents or delays a family, player, coach, volunteer, or board member from contacting law enforcement, child protection, or other appropriate authorities directly.

Weather and Cancellations

WGBA may cancel, postpone, or modify practices, games, tournaments, or events due to weather, facility closures, safety concerns, or other circumstances.

When possible, WGBA will communicate cancellations or changes as promptly as practical. Families should use good judgment regarding travel and participation during severe weather or unsafe conditions.

Tournament and Volunteer Requirements

WGBA depends on parent and volunteer support to operate successful programs and events.

Families may be required to fulfill volunteer responsibilities, including support for WGBA-hosted tournaments such as the Wayzata Classic.

Families who do not complete required volunteer responsibilities may be subject to an opt-out fee or other consequences established by WGBA.

Media, Photos, and Player Information

WGBA may use photos, videos, player names, team information, or program highlights on its website, social media, newsletters, or other association communications.

Families who do not want their player included in WGBA media should notify WGBA in writing.

WGBA will make reasonable efforts to protect player privacy and use player information appropriately.

Special Circumstances Review

Not every situation can be fully addressed in written policy.

WGBA reserves the right to review unusual, sensitive, or complex situations on a case-by-case basis. Decisions may be made by the WGBA Board, a program director, or a designated committee, depending on the nature of the issue.

WGBA’s goal in all decisions is to act in the best interest of players, teams, families, coaches, and the overall association.