Burlington Basketball Panthers is currently entering the 4th stage of a 5 stage process to remake itself.  To learn more please click here: Panthers

BREAKING Panther News:

Panther Mission Statement:

The Burlington Basketball Panther Program is a Player/Coach development program that follows the Canada Basketball LTAD model, teaches sound basketball fundamentals and participates in (regional/provincial/national/international) competitive play, focused on the goal of creating the province’s premiere skilled competitive basketball Players/Coaches (in the High School Senior Age Groups), in a structure that respects and supports the development of all the participants of Burlington Basketball.

Burlington Basketball’s Panther Program for 2009/10

Yearly, over 1000 players call Burlington Basketball home and the Burlington Basketball Panther Program offers those players the opportunity, to compete to play, on teams that compete in regional and/or provincial and/or international competitions.  The Burlington Basketball Panther Program fields a variety of teams for each age group from 9 to 18 years old.  From our Novice Boys and Girls teams that are getting their first chance at playing the game in a reffed environment, to our “NEW in 2007/8”  Panther Elite High School teams which travel to the USA, one of which was a Provincial Champion Team, there is a place for everyone.

A Burlington Basketball Panther player is a basketball player developing under the “Total Basketball” concept. “Total Basketball” means every player gets an opportunity to learn all aspects of the game.  Burlington Basketball Panther Teams are coached by coaches who are committed to providing the youth of our community with leading edge basketball skills and life lessons by coaching in an environment that respects both the individual player’s goal and that of the team.

The Panther Program:

Tryouts:  Open, fair and unbiased tryouts are held for each team formed under the Panther Banner.  A team of coaches oversees the tryout process ensuring all players get a good look and providing several different sets of eyes in narrowing the field of players.  Tryouts will be held on multiple days over a 2 to 3 week period in late September to early October.  New, returning and former players all have an equal opportunity in making these teams.  Depending on the proposed make up of a given team the demands on a player during the selection process will vary. Although tryouts are open to everyone, players in all the programs offered by Burlington Basketball will actively be recruited to attend these open tryouts.

For the conditioning and skill development alone these tryouts are a great opportunity for every player whether they make the team or not.
Over 24 players in each age group could be selected for a Panther Team

Teams:  Any calendar year Burlington Basketball judges the feasibility of teams by reviewing potential coaching candidates and players attending tryouts.  The maximum number of Teams contemplated for any given year are 42.  At tryouts the feasibility of teams is determined .  Multiple teams are selected from these tryouts if applicable.

For 2009/10 in our move to designate our Panther Teams as CLUB rather than REP, we are instituting Panthers Blue and Panthers White Team designation.  What does this mean?

Panthers Blue - These teams practice 2 times a week on top of any house league commitment meaning Panther Blue players COULD (if they choose) be practicing on court 4 days a week. On top of practice these teams also enter exhibition games, tournaments, skills camps.  Burlington Panthers is the only REP program in the province to offer this option to players attempting to become the best possible.

Panthers White - These teams practice 1 time a week and must be enrolled in the applicable house league program determined by the club.  This means these players will experience skills development 3 days a week depending on the age group.

Burlington Basketball Panther Teams Possible in 2009/10:
 (both boys and girls)

MBAB/Panthers Novice #2 (White), - Grade 4
MBAB/Panthers Atom #1(Blue), #2(White) - Grade 5
Panthers Major Atom #1 (Blue) – Grade 6
AllStar/Panthers Major Atom #2 (White)  - Grade 6
Panther Bantam #1 (Blue) – Grade 7
AllStar/Panthers Bantam  #2 (White)  – Grade 7
Panthers Major Bantam #1 (Blue)– Grade 8
AllStar/Panthers Major Bantam #2 (White)  – Grade 8
Panthers Midget #1 (Blue), #2 (White) – Grade 9
Panthers Midget Elite – Grade 9
Panthers Major Midget #1 (Blue) and #2 (White)  – Grade 10
Panthers Major Midget Elite – Grade 10
Panthers Juvenile #1 (Blue) and #2 (White)– Grade 11
Panthers Juvenile Elite – Grade 11
Panthers Junior - Grade 12/13 (Blue) (White)
Panthers Junior Elite – Grade 12/13     

Cost and Commitment:  at the time of the 3rd. Tryout (first tryout is used as an assessment) full details on cost and commitments are supplied to the parents.  Parents are encouraged to review and discuss both cost and commitment with the entire family prior to the commencement of the 4th tryout.

In an effort to make Panthers as affordable as possible, the board of Burlington Basketball has made decisions that are geared to keep costs low.  Costs vary from $300.00 to $500.00 per player. This is before any sponsorships so the final cost should be reduced further.
Included in the cost (but varied for each team) are Uniforms, Ball, Gym Time, Coaching Honorarium (if applicable) , Tournament Fees, Insurance, Ref fees, Provincial Championships, AAU / USSSAA fees, etc.

Commitment varies from both a player and parent perspective.
Player Commitment: from 2 x 1.5 hrs per week to 4 x 1.5 hrs per week
Parent Commitment: Volunteer time from 8 hours a season to 24 hours a season Median 16 hours

Join the 2009/10 Panther Coaching Team:

Like any community sports organization, coaching is the most important role any volunteer can assume with our club.  Panther coaches are supported by Burlington Basketball in a manner that allows a coach to coach.  Politics and administration is all handled by the rules and procedures established by the club.
Panther coaches stress fundamentals over all else because they understand that a young athlete can only excel later in life if the foundation is built and reinforced as they move through our programs.

Applications are now being taken for our coaching assignments for the 2009/10 season.   To apply click here.

A Panther coach must comply with existing Basketball Ontario Coaching guidelines.  Burlington Basketball fully supports it’s coaches by assisting with the cost of certification and holding in house certification classes where applicable.

Non-Parent coaches receive an Honourarium to cover their costs for travel and accommodation for tournament play where applicable.  “We will take their time but not their money.”

Pre-Register for tryouts and be sure to receive your Tryout email by clicking the appropriate age group. Your email program will open with the fields necessary ready for input. Please add where you played in 2008/9.

For Birth Year		Email Here
Boys Born: 2000, 1999, 1998		Pre-register
Boys Born: 1997, 1996		Pre-register
Boys Born: 1995, 1994, 1993		Pre-register
Boys Born: 1992, 1991		Pre-register
Girls Born: 2000, 1999, 1998		Pre-register
Girls Born: 1997, 1996		Pre-register
Girls Born: 1995, 1994, 1993 Girls Born: 1992, 1991		Pre-register
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