Q & A’s
Question: Do players need to live in Fall River to play for the Rebels?
Answer: We encourage all players to registered for their home club, however players outside this residential area may be accepted if such registration is not in violation within any Basketball Nova Scotia (or other Basketball Associations in Nova Scotia) eligibility guidelines or policies. Fall River Rebels Basketball coaches must comply with the no-recruiting philosophy of the Metro Basketball Association and, as such, shall not recruit players from other basketball organizations to play on Fall River teams.
Question: What are the fees for the 2022-2023 season? Answer:
- The fee for the 2022-2023 season is $400.00 per player, depending on available gym time, there may be an additional fee charged for the top team in each age category to allow for additional practice time.
- The Little Rebels Development Program fee for the 2022-2023 season is $200.00 per player for the season. Each participant will receive a Little Rebels jersey and basketball, both included in this registration fee.
- The fee for the Pre-Season skills sessions is $25 and can be selected as part of the registration process, registration is limited to 20 players.
Question: What is the Refund Policy if I withdraw my child after registering?
Answer: Any player who withdrawals prior to the placement sessions, will receive a full refund.
After placements have started but before the MBA season’s first game -a full refund (less an admin fee of $50) will be provided to any player withdrawing before the MBA season’s first game. This includes players who withdraw after successfully making the high school team.
After the MBA season’s first game – Players can receive a refund of 50% of the fees up to December 31, 2022, there will no refunds issued after this date.
Little Rebels: If a child withdraws before the first session, a full refund will be given, less an admin fee of $25. If a child withdraws after first session, a refund of 50% will be issued up to December 31, 2022, after this date, no refund will be provided.
Question: Is there an NSF cheque policy?
Answer: All NSF cheques are subject to a $40 administrative fee.
Question: Is there a family discount on registration fees? Answer: Yes, the third player is half off, and the fourth player is free.
Question: Are there any subsidy programs to support families who cannot pay registration fees?
Answer: “KidSport™ is a national children’s charitable program that helps kids overcome the financial barriers preventing or limiting their participation in organized sport. KidSport™ Nova Scotia provides funding of up to $300/year/child for sport registration and/or equipment.” Please visit the Sport Nova Scotia website (link below) or contact them directly (425-5450 ext 350) for additional information. www.sportnovascotia.ca/KidSport/tabid/145/Default.aspx
Question: Can a player try out for a team in an older age bracket?
Answer: No, players must try-out for the age category in which they qualify based on their date of birth as of December 31 in that year. Proof of age can be requested. There are some situations in which a player may be assigned to a team, one age bracket above. These are based one extenuating circumstance and will be discussed with the player and parents at the time.
Question: When will my child have practice so that I can make sure our family does not have other events at that time?
Answer: Unfortunately, that information is not available at registration. We build our club practice schedule when we have confirmed our facilities rental contract with HRM and identified the number of teams we will be enrolling in the league. We depend on registration numbers to make these decisions. We also negotiate our gym availability with the volunteer hours that coaches are available. This is all built on the number of players who register in each division. Practice times are typically confirmed in early October. This information is communicated to players and parents through TeamSnap. It will also be posted on our club website.
Question: My child has other activities can they still play basketball?
Answer: All players are welcome to play basketball, however, we ask that all players assigned to the top team in each age category commit to basketball. If your child makes a top team and cannot commit to attending practices and games, they will be assigned to another team in their age category (if available).
Question: When will my child’s weekly league (MBA) game occur?
Answer: U10 and U12 teams normally play on Saturdays. U14, U16 and U18 teams play on Sundays. These games are scheduled by the Metro Basketball Association (MBA).
Question: Where will my child’s games be held?
Answer: The MBA schedules facilities as well. Games can be played at any gym within HRM. You can check their website once the season starts at www.mbans.ca. Coaches will update the team schedule in TeamSnap.
Question: Do registration fees cover tournaments or provincials?
Answer: No, the registration fees do not cover any tournaments including provincials. Teams decide individually whether or not they will participate in tournaments and are responsible for associated expenses.
Question: Is there a “Fair Play Policy” in place? Answer: Fall River Rebels Basketball endorses the fair play philosophies of Basketball Nova Scotia – “With fair play, everybody wins. If fair play is used in sport, all participants can stay focused on the essentials of the sport – not just winning, but on performing well and having fun”. We also follow the fair play rules laid out by the Metro Basketball Association of Nova Scotia.
Question: How are coaches selected?
Answer: Coaches are assigned by the coaching coordinators. When searching for coaches, we are looking for people with previous coaching and/or playing experience and people who subscribe to the fair play philosophy. All coaches must successfully complete the criminal background check and must be willing to take coaching development courses as required. For the top team in each age category, the head coach will not be a parent where possible.
Question: Can a player be “called up” to another team for a game?
Answer: The MBA allows coaches at an older or more competitive division of play to call a player up from a lower-level team within their own club organization for a game if their team will not have enough players to compete in that particular game. However, if a player is called up to play more than twice at that higher level (either in age level or competitive division) that player must remain at that level for the remainder of the season. Fall River Rebels Basketball expects that, as a common courtesy, the coach of the team needing a player will request the permission of the player’s regular team coach to call that player up.