TBBL Announces Change to its In-town Division Structure

Dear TBBL Community,

We are writing you to inform you of a recent decision by the TBBL Board of Directors to realign the several divisions of our league, effective for the 2014-2015 season.  The goal of this reorganization is to improve the basketball experience for all of the more than 700 boys that participate in our program each and every year, as well as to align our “in-town” program with the Tewksbury Public School grade distribution and our Travel Program.  The goal of TBBL is to provide a competitive experience that not only challenges and develops the basketball skills of the boys that participate, but also one that matches their developmental capabilities and needs. 

The highlights are as follows:

1. New Cadet Division provides a transition year for 2nd grade players to move from drill-focused Clinic to game-focused Juniors

2. Aligns the divisions with the school grade distribution which will be more conducive to the social level of the players

    a. All Trahan or North Street School students will play in the Junior Division

    b. All Ryan Students will play in the Intermediate Division

    c. All Wynn Students will play in the Senior Division

3. Aligns the divisions with our Travel program which ends in the 8th grade – Boys will “age-out” of both our In-town and Travel Program at the same grade, allowing 9th graders the opportunity to play in the more relaxed High School division

    a. 9th graders will play in a sub-division of the current High School Division

    b. 10th – 12th graders will continue to play in the division as they currently do

As with any change, there will be valid questions and concerns raised regarding the efficacy and value of the changes made.  This is understandable, and the Board of Directors will be available to answer those questions at your convenience. While there will undoubtedly be some “growing pains” as we make this transition, the Board believes that this realignment will improve not only the current experience of our players, but also provide a more age-appropriate basketball curriculum and development process as boys move through our program.

Thank you for your continued support of Tewksbury Boys Basketball, and please feel free to contact us with comments, questions, and suggestions related to this reorganization or any other aspect of TBBL at the email above.  In addition, members of the TBBL Board will hold an informational session regarding this structural change on Wednesday, May 21st at 8 pm in the Ryan School cafeteria.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors of Tewksbury Boys Basketball