December 10, 2007

Dear Youth Basketball Enthusiasts:

Tournament time is almost here!  The Waterville Parks and Recreation Department is proud to announce the dates for its 21^st annual Youth Basketball Festivals.  We have changed the format slightly to allow for more teams to participate in these great tournaments.  This year’s girls 7^th & 8^th grade tournament will be held on February 15, 16, and 17; the boys 7^th & 8^th grade tournament will take place on February 22, 23, and 24.  Boys and girls 5^th & 6^th grade tournament will be held on March 7, 8, and 9. 

Four separate grade levels exist for both the girls and the boys tournaments: Grades 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8.  Mixed teams for 5^th & 6^th grade level will be playing at the 6^th grade level.  Games will be played at the following facilities: Waterville Junior and Senior High Schools, Thomas College, and if needed, the Alfond Youth Center.  Team trophies will be awarded to the top two teams; each member of the championship team at each grade level will also receive a T-shirt. 

Please note that we competition will remain single elimination; however, teams who lose a game in the first round will play in a consolation game against another team who has lost in the first round, thereby guaranteeing every team in the tournament a minimum of two games. 

These tournaments are not intended for AAU type basketball teams but instead are intended for teams that meet the following criteria:

¨       Teams that participate in Parks and Recreation, YMCA, or Youth Basketball Association programs.

¨       Teams that gather individuals from a common town or school district.

¨       Teams that are organized as a school team or have participated as a school team in the current season.  *For those communities where more than one junior high/middle school exists, teams cannot combine to form one tournament team—all players must attend the same junior high/middle school. 

Rosters are at the final discretion of the Waterville Parks and Recreation Department.  If you have a question regarding your team’s eligibility, please call our office. 

You may pass on to your fans that there is a “per day” admission fee of $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for students, and $5.00 for a family.  Spectators who pay the daily rate may enter any gym on that particular day.  In addition, concessions will be sold at each facility. 

As a result of adding consolation games for 1^st round teams, this tournament is limited to 10 teams in each division.  Therefore, it is essential that you register your team early.  Please return the enclosed entry form along with a $125 team registration fee to the Waterville Parks and Recreation Department, 6 Wentworth Court, Waterville, ME 04901.  Teams will have a spot confirmed once ALL entry information is received.  The deadline for the girls 7^th & 8^th grade tournament is February 1, 2008; the deadline for the boys 7^th & 8^th grade tournament is February 8, 2008; the deadline for the 5^th & 6^th grade boys & girls tournament is February 29, 2008.  Please be aware that a division may reach its capacity before the deadline. 

Information about our Youth Basketball Festivals can be found on our web site at www.waterville-me.gov/parks.htm.  Next, simply click on Youth Basketball Festivals. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by phone at (207) 680-4744 or by email at aames@waterville-me.gov.  Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  If no one is in the office, please leave a message.  Furthermore, if you do not plan on being involved in the tournament this year, please forward the enclosed materials to the appropriate individual(s). 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

Bobbie-Jo Pelletier

Recreation Coordinator/Tournament Director