BATTLE for YOUTH BASKETBALL IN ONTARIO "LEAGUE WARS"
BREAKING NEWS: Ontario Basketball launches the Ontario Basketball League (OBL) http://t.co/IvL1E53uwl pic.twitter.com/qOTqICBSWG
— Ontario Basketball (@OBANews) May 21, 2015
GTA Based League /Markham/Scarborough/Ajax/Richmond Hill
Summer and Winter League / Girls and Boys
UA Sponsored League
Not OBA Sanctioned : Games do not count towards OBA Rankings
ABS Basketball League
Winter League : Girls and Boys
GTA Based League/Mississauga/Brampton/Milton/Hamilton/Oakville/Burlington & Markham
Formerly OBA Sanctioned for the Past 3 Years may not be going forward with the new OBL starting.
PTR - POUND THE ROCK LEAGUE
Summer and Winter League / Girls and Boys
GTA Based League / Etobicoke/Richmond Hill/ Burlington/Brampton/Mississauga
Not OBA Sanctioned : Games do not count towards OBA Rankings
Basketball in the GTA has certainly picked up in a major way we now have 3 Leagues outside the traditional OBA model PTR, ABS & CYBL all great options for Rep and Travel Teams to get game experience outside of the OBA rankings. Many teams this past season used the alternative leagues as a way to gain experience with open play rules "no shifts" and federation rules as a result kids played much more Basketball this season than ever before.
Why are we calling this a Battle for Youth Basketball ?
1. Control is the biggest reason for the OBL being formed in the first place the OBA lost control when the ABS was initially formed in some circle the ABS became bigger and more organized than the OBA it almost appeared as if the ABS could stand on its own without OBA control however all games were sanctioned by the OBA they were partners in the beginning now in 2015 much has changed.
2. Elite vs Development Clubs became an issue due to exclusion of certain Clubs by the ABS who in there 2nd year developed a focus on Clubs who provide both house league and Travel team options and limiting clubs without a House League component we wont name any names :). This approach actually birthed the CYBL & PTR which allow any and all Clubs to participate even smaller Community based Teams who are Non-OBA Teams .. The OBA & ABS forgot about inclusion as a way to grow which lead others to start new Leagues for those who wanted in.
3. The Rules are a significant factor all of the Leagues listed play FIBA or Federation the OBL aims to streamline this within League play meaning FIBA & Shot Clock for grade 9's and up. This battle for the Rules is critical playing FIBA in Rep Ball and then Federation in HS Basketball can be confusing also if anyone is lucky enough to get a Scholarship they do not play FIBA in America the biggest Basketball Nation in the World and our immediate neighbor. With most Canadian kids aiming for a U.S Scholarship and 99% of them will never play International competition why are we playing FIBA ?
4. The Gyms - The League who controls access to Gyms on key dates will be the winner in this Battle as it stands through Member Clubs and participation ABS should be considered a very strong contender in this Battle with the Monarchs + BMBA + MUMBA as key members the Gym Control within the ABS across the GTA is very strong.. PTR a smaller League with Key Locations and CYBL with a few Key Locations also however not in the League of Gym Availability as the ABS.
The OBL will have a tough time shaking the Loyalty of the ABS members as the League has been well run despite the restrictive entry over the past 2 years.
The great thing about this Battle will be how hard all of these Leagues work to impress parents, players and coaches who will add value to your son or daughter experience on the court and within there environment we hope the OBA now understands just being a "governing body" is not enough anymore people will make choices and now we have 4 choices 2015-2016 will be an interesting year.
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