NGBA Travel Team Evaluation Process
Intent: The NGBA participates in the River Valley League (RVL) and the Cape Ann League (CAL) for the travel league season. We are required to create our teams based on relative skills and competitive desire of the players. Teams are then entered into divisions (D1, D2, D3 and D4) allowing teams to compete against other players with similar skill levels and provide for competitive balance.
NGBA’s Board of Directors recognizes that the evaluation process and team selection can be stressful for players and families. We hope that all of our players and families remember that we are Newburyport Clippers first and regardless of a placement in one season, every player has the opportunity to be evaluated anew every season.
The NGBA evaluation process is thoughtfully planned to be transparent, fair and objective, and place each player on a team where they have the best chance to develop, compete and contribute.
Evaluation and Team Selection Process:
- All registered NGBA players in each grade 4th – 8th are invited to evaluation sessions.
- 3rd party, independent evaluators without daughters that currently play in NGBA, conduct 2 sessions per grade. Players attend both sessions.
- NGBA coaches, parents, family members and board members are asked to not attend evaluations. Gyms will be closed to everyone except players and evaluators.
- Players are rated 1, 2, 3, etc. based on fundamental skills, team skills, and athletic ability relative to other players in that grade.
- NGBA grade level coordinators and coaches determine how many teams each grade will submit based on registration numbers.
- A minimum of 8 players, based on evaluation rankings (in order) and coaches’ desired “A Team” roster size are offered an opportunity to play on A team. If a player declines, and the roster has not been filled, the next player(s) on the list are offered a spot until the roster is full.
- “A Team” players must commit to prioritizing NGBA games and practices over other sports, club teams or activities during the RVL season in order to accept an A Team roster spot.
- B Team and C Team, etc. (if applicable) are created using identical selection processes.
- Exceptions for a player in a lower grade wanting to “play up” for a higher grade are generally not allowed, but will be considered by the Board of Directors and age level coordinator if there is a shortage or odd number of players such that additional players are needed to create rosters with a required minimum number of players (RVL requires 8 minimum). Playing up is most common in 3rd/4th – then girls playing up in 3rd will play with their school grade in following years.
- Issues, questions or concerns about the evaluation process or resulting team placements should be initiated with the appropriate grade level coordinator (listed on NGBA website each year) and will be resolved by the NGBA President if needed.