League registrations typically begin in November or early December
with games starting in mid January. Kids Clinics are held late Jan to March.
If you are a parent who would like to register your child to
play in the league, please contact one of the affiliated SYBL
groups. These associations/groups are responsible for operating
their leagues including registering players, recruiting coaches,
determining playing sites and scheduling games. Player registration
fees vary with each group.
Requirements of the League
: To be an affiliate of the Spurs Youth Basketball League,
associations/agencies must commit to the following league requirements:
- All coaches and administrators must attend
annual training on how to work with children in a sports
environment.
- Players and coaches must sign a pledge aloud on the
court prior to the start of every game.
- Coaches must talk to their team members a minimum of five
minutes each week on making positive
choices. Coaches use a specially designed handbook that
contains eight weeks of easy-to-use lesson plans for them
to follow.
- Coaches and other adults directly working with participants
must consent to and pass a criminal background check.
- Rules may vary
by organization but most organizations follow some of the
guidelines published in the SYBL manual given to all coaches
at the annual training.
- Coaches also received brochures explaining the league to give to all parents and guardian of players.
Admission of New Leagues – South Texas
leagues, associations and agencies conducting youth basketball
programs during the months of January through March may apply
for membership in the league by completing the membership application
form and sending it to the Kids Sports Network by September
1st. Decisions will be made by October 15th. Before applying,
please read the Benefits
and Requirements Summary.
Affiliation with the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA - The
Spurs Youth Basketball League (SYBL) is affiliated with the
Jr. NBA and
Jr. WNBA, a national support system for recreational youth
basketball leagues across the county. This NBA initiative is
designed to enhance the youth basketball experience, not to
replace or compete with any existing programs. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA
organizations receive benefits
including a variety of valuable information, materials and event
opportunities throughout the season for their participants,
volunteers and league officials.
Funding of the SYBL - The Spurs Youth Basketball
League is funded by the nonprofit Spurs Foundation with financial
support from Pizza Hut and Valero. The Kids Sports Network administers
the league on behalf of the Spurs and acts as the liaison with
the participating SYBL groups. The Spurs Foundation pays for
player and coach jerseys, background checks, banners and a variety
of other materials. Participating agencies pay for gym space,
register players, recruit coaches, schedule games and practices
and organize and operate their group's program.
History of the SYBL - The league (formerly called the Spurs Drug-Free League) was founded
in 1991 by Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich, and KSN president/founder,
Frank Martin as a way of promoting recreational youth basketball
in economically disadvantaged areas of San Antonio. In February
1992 the league received a Point
of Light from President Bush for
its innovative programming and anti-drug efforts. The following
year the league was awarded a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation to expand the program to other NBA cities. In the
mid 1990’s the league began an expansion to other South
Texas communities. Today the SYBL includes nearly 20,000 participants
playing games throughout South Texas.
For more information about the Spurs Youth
Basketball League please contact the
or call (210)
654-4707.