The changing basketball landscape in Manitoba is seeing a growing number of ‘club teams’ formed at all levels and areas.  The following documents detail a number of support files and points surrounding how these clubs are to conduct themselves to ensure the game continues to flourish in a stable manner.

Basketball Manitoba expects all of its members in good standing to abide by all the statements detailed in this document.  Those not abiding by these policies and statements face the risk of losing all insurance coverage and protection, access to MABO-certified officials, access to using Basketball Manitoba communication services (web, email, social media) and overall recognition and support of their
programs. 

The following has been laid out to ensure the overall integrity of the game of basketball is maintained, and those involved at all levels experience the best possible environment.  This information is applicable to all members and is in effect when operating inside and beyond Manitoba.   




DEFINITIONS

Independent Club Team.  A group of basketball players ranging in size from 8 to 15 people assembled by a coach or coaches to train, develop and compete in exhibition, league and
tournament games.  The ‘club team’ has no direct affiliation with an elementary, junior high/middle or high school or community/recreation centre; however, it may have a direct relationship with a Manitoba University or College.  Other terms used to describe these teams have been ‘travelling team’, ‘select team’, and ‘elite team’, among others.  This document will use the term ‘club team’ hereinafter to describe this type of team. 

Basketball Club.  A collection of two (2) or more ‘Independent Club Teams’ of different ages
and/or genders that administer themselves as one program. 

Existing Member Team.  A basketball team that is already an active member of Basketball Manitoba through their respective League or Association, including Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association (WMBA), Peg City Basketball League, Winnipeg Basketball League, Philippine Basketball League, Westman Youth Basketball Assocation, Prairie Basketball League.  For an updated list of active member groups, please consult the Basketball Manitoba website

Basketball Manitoba New Club / Organization Application Form. Brand new basketball clubs or organizations seeking to become members of Basketball Manitoba are asked to complete this application form.  

Tournament Registration Form.  The registration form to be completed and submitted to
Basketball Manitoba requires a club hosting a basketball tournament in the province of Manitoba to extend the team’s insurance coverage to the event in question.  This registration will allow MABO-certified officials to officiate the event.  All tournament registration forms must be submitted to Basketball Manitoba 15 days prior to the start of the event in order to be approved.

Travel Registration Form.  Registration form to be completed and submitted to Basketball  Manitoba prior to a Club Team travelling to a basketball event or tournament in another Canadian province or U.S. State in order to extend the team’s insurance coverage to the event in question.  All travel registration forms must be submitted to Basketball Manitoba 2 days prior to the departure of the team in order to be accepted.  All programs wishing to travel
to events outside of Manitoba will be granted to do so.  This is not a ‘permission’ form.  It
is collected to ensure that travel information is recorded to extend Basketball Manitoba’s insurance coverage to the travelling group.  




PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Any Manitoba resident who is age-eligible to participate on a club team can do so as long as they follow these stipulations:

  1. All ages will be defined on December 31 of the current year.
  2. A player who commits to an existing club team cannot transfer to another registered club team until on or after the THIRD FRIDAY of August of the following year, when the new series of open club tryouts annually occur.  Exact dates will be communicated annually.  
  3. A player can only be registered to one Basketball Manitoba roster at a given time.  
  4. Only players appearing on a Basketball Manitoba-registered team will be provided access to the Basketball Manitoba Accident and Liability coverage.  
  5. All player additions by players who are not already committed to another roster must be done by using the Manitoba Club Basketball Team Registration Portal prior to the new player's beginning with the program.  
  6. Teams can add new players to their roster to carry as many as 15 players, but cannot do so at the expense of an existing player and cannot with players already committed to another roster, as detailed in point #2. 


PLAYER ELIGIBILITY APPEAL PROCESS

1. Basketball Manitoba will review any appeals to the above Player Eligibility policies.  All appeals must be submitted in writing and be accompanied by a $25.00 deposit (payable to “Basketball Manitoba”) to the office by email to adam@basketballmanitoba.ca or mail at 145 Pacific Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6.  

2. The Appeals Committee, which will review the information, will be made up of three (3) members of the Basketball Manitoba Board of Directors, one being an Executive Committee Member who will appoint two (2) additional Board Members to serve on the committee for the year.

3. The Appeals Committee will rule on the issue and may bring in other members of the Board of Directors whose portfolios or backgrounds may pertain to the issue to collect information and interpretations.  Additional information may be requested from the protesting party or other parties by the Appeals Committee.  If the appeal is found in favour of the appealing group, the deposit will be refunded. 

4. The Appeals Committee must render a decision within 14 days of receiving the appeal, submitting a report in writing to all parties involved.  All polices will remain in effect throughout the appeals process. 

5. Any decision(s) made by the Appeals Committee are final and will take effect immediately. Failure to comply with the decision(s) made will see the group in question lose their 'member in good standing’ status with Basketball Manitoba and void all insurance coverage.




TIMELINES / DEADLINES

  1. Third Friday of August.  The earliest point a club team can offer open tryouts for its program for the upcoming year.  Notifications on tryout details can be sent to Basketball Manitoba for posting on their respective websites.  See more...

  2. September  30. Membership expires after one year (regardless of when the initial membership
    was paid).

  3. October 1.  The new membership year begin and all club teams must renew and register their teams with Basketball Manitoba.

  4. December 31.  The last date a club can operate an open tryout for a program before the 3rd Friday of August of the next year.  

  5. March 15. All club team rosters are ‘frozen’ for the remainder of the year.  If the team is in other Basketball Manitoba Sanctioned Leagues, the team must respect the roster freeze guidelines as defined by that league, whose policy will take precedence over any statements here.  Teams will not be able to add or transfer players to their rosters who are currently registered on other Club Teams.  New, unaffiliated (non-registered) players can still be added to rosters, but not at the expense of players already on the roster.  Appeals to this statement are to be made by using the procedures as outlined above.

  6. Tournament Registration Form.  Club Teams hosting a tournament in Manitoba must have the tournament registered and approved 15 days prior to the start of the tournament.

  7. Travel Registration Form.  Club Teams travelling out of Manitoba must submit a travel registration form 2 days prior to departure to the event.



BLACKOUT TOURNAMENT / EVENT REGISTRATION DATES

A tournament/event registration will not be issued to clubs hosting events or tournaments in Manitoba for the following timelines.  These dates DO NOT apply to programs wishing to travel to other events outside of Manitoba.  Please note that the following dates provide only a time frame of when these programs have run in the past.  Factors such as statutory holidays and events running out of Basketball Manitoba’s control will factor in exactly when these events will run on an annual basis.  The exact dates will be posted by September 1 on the Basketball Manitoba website calendar.

  1. School Basketball Season - Jan. 1 to AFTER the Junior High Basketball Championships inclusive (just prior to Spring Break)
  2. Manitoba Provincial Team Tryouts – late May (Fri, Sat, Sun)
  3. Club Basketball Provincial Championships – early to mid May weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun)
  4. Provincial Team National Championships / Canada Games – early to mid-August



FEES
  • Basketball Manitoba Team Registration Fees (ages as of December 31 of the current year)
    • Youth Teams (under age 18) = Basketball Manitoba Membership of $425.00 (includes GST)
    • Adult Teams (age 18+) Basketball Manitoba Membership of $425.00 (includes GST)
  • Tournament Membership - $35.00 fee for all non-member club teams participating in sanctioned tournaments held inside Manitoba.  Fee covers the attendance in ONE tournament only.  Teams seeking coverage for multiple events are recommended to obtain a full membership.  
PAYMENT OPTIONS 

Basketball Manitoba accepts the following payment options detailed below...
  • eTransfer to pay@basketballmanitoba.ca (use basketball as the passphrase)
  • Paypal to info@basketballmanitoba.ca
  • Phone 204-925-5775 ext 1 with a Visa or MasterCard number/expiry date
  • Visit our office at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm to pay with cash, Visa, MasterCard, debit card or cheque made payable to 'Basketball Manitoba'.
  • Mail a cheque or money order payable to 'Basketball Manitoba' to Basketball Manitoba, 145 Pacific Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6.  


FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

If Basketball Manitoba were to be approached by a team or club that has accounts that are outstanding, Basketball Manitoba will contact the said team or club to inquire as to why this has not been addressed.  This can include (but not be limited to) monies owing to creditors or members of the said club or Basketball Manitoba Member Associations.  A request (if made) will be made in writing from Basketball Manitoba to the Basketball Club or Independent Club Team and will allow fifteen days (15) to respond to it with such information.  Clubs who do not provide such information will lose their ‘member in good standing’ status with Basketball Manitoba. 



COACH / VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

  1. All adult coaches, assistant coaches and managers must submit to a Criminal Records Check and Manitoba Child Abuse Registry check every five years at a date set by Basketball Manitoba or one of its member associations.  Details will be provided to all teams which register with Basketball Manitoba each fall season.  
  2. All Head and Assistant Coaches must complete the online ‘Respect in Sport’ program of the year they began coaching and then every five years after that to stay eligible under Sport Manitoba's policies.  New coaches or programs will be given a 2 week grace period from their point of registration to complete this program.  There is no cost to complete this program.  Information is at http://ris.basketballmanitoba.ca.
  3. A minimum of one member of each coaching staff is to be of the same gender as the team they are coaching (i.e. girls teams must have a minimum of one adult female coach on the bench at all times and boys teams must have a minimum of one adult male coach on the bench at all times).



RESPONSIBILITIES AND ETHICS

1.      Basketball Manitoba expects all of its member teams to at all times act in a professional manner at all games, practices and team activities (on and off the court).  You are reminded that you are representing your program, province, city / town, Basketball Manitoba and its member associations and partners at all times.  Details on these expectations can be found in the Fair Play Appendix section.

2.      Those individuals, teams or clubs found not following these behaviour and ethical expectations will be subject to action by Basketball Manitoba.  All complaints will be handled by the Appeals Committee as outlined above and will be dealt with within a 14 day period of Basketball Manitoba receiving such information.  Any decision(s) made by Basketball Manitoba is final and will take effect immediately. Failure to comply with the decision(s) made will see the group in question lose their ‘member in good standing’ status with Basketball Manitoba and void all insurance coverage. 

3.     Players who are to earn a spot on the Manitoba Provincial Team must make the Provincial Team a priority over their respective club team when it comes to game and practice commitments.  Communication between the coaches and players on all sides is a must for this to work.   



MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Basketball Manitoba offers teams in Manitoba the opportunity to formally join the Association as a 'Member Team'.  Some of the benefits of being a Member Team include...

1. Accident and Liability Insurance. All team members will be covered by our Accident & Liability Insurance Policy.  More information on our insurance program, including how to submit claims, can be found in our Member Insurance Services section.

2. Access to Certified Referees.  All member teams will gain access to the base of certified basketball officials for their games and tournaments.  The team will still be responsible for paying the game / assignment fees via the assignor.  For a list of referee assignors, please go to http://www.maboref.com .

3. Club Team Listing.  All active basketball clubs will be provided with a page on the Basketball Manitoba website to post news and information on their program.

4. Meeting Rooms.  All member teams will have the opportunity to hold their team planning meetings at the Sport Manitoba building at 145 Pacific Ave in downtown Winnipeg.  Meeting rooms vary in size and can host anywhere from 10 to 128 people and are to be booked through the office.  Please provide at least 2 weeks notice in requesting your meeting room.  All rooms are booked on a first come first served basis and are generally available 7 days a week with exception to statutory holidays.  Forty-eight (48) hours notice must be given to Basketball Manitoba to cancel a booked room or face a $30.00 cancellation fee.  The same fee will apply to groups not showing up to their scheduled time.





EXISTING MEMBERS

The following Programs and Member Associations are automatically enrolled in Basketball Manitoba's Membership Program...

>> SEE FULL LISTING <<




BECOMING A MEMBER TEAM

If you are a team representative who is interested in having your team become a member of Basketball Manitoba, please review the following information...


The current Team Membership fees are indicated in the above Fees section.  

To become a Basketball Manitoba Member Team, you must complete the online Club Team Registration Form and submit it with the appropriate payment...

>> CLUB TEAM REGISTRATION PORTAL <<




RENEWING YOUR TEAM MEMBERSHIP

The membership will cover the team until September 30 of the next year once the payment is received. Teams looking to renew their memberships are to complete this using the Club Team Registration Portal and submit it with the appropriate payment before the current year's membership expires.  Once a team membership expires, the program is NOT entitled to ANY support, services or insurance coverage from Basketball Manitoba or its Member Associations.



RECRUITING CODE OF CONDUCT

Basketball Manitoba expects its member teams to conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times when creating teams.  

  1. Recruitment of players from other programs during the competitive season shall be prohibited.  
  2. Any contact for the purpose of recruiting athletes or coaches from opposing teams between October 1st and June 30th is prohibited.  
  3. Have respect for athletes and your fellow coaches alike.  Do not place either in positions of torn loyalties. 
  4. New players can be added to a roster so long as the player is not currently registered for any other Basketball Manitoba-registered Club Team.  
  5. Recruit only for your own program and based on the merits of your program and accomplishments only.  Don't degrade opposing coaches or programs. 
  6. Have respect for your fellow coaches and their programs, always show professionalism and follow the rules of Basketball Manitoba.  Interact with coaches, parents, players and administrators in the same fashion that you would want to be treated yourself.
  7. Coaches who are contacted by players / parents who are already involved in another program are to advise their existing coach to notify them of the contact.




QUESTIONS?

Inquires on the Team Membership Program or any of the contents on this page can be made to Basketball Manitoba Executive Director Adam Wedlake.  





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