Important Dates (subject to change)
11/15/2026 - Player Registration Closes
12/1/2026 - Coach & Sponsor Registration Closes
1/4/2027 - Practices begin
1/9&10/2027 - Games Begin
3/13&14/2027 - Playoffs Begin (5th-12th grades)
3/14/2026 - Season Ends (1st-4thgrades)
Costs
$180/player. We do offer financial assistance for anyone in need. Please email mlgbahoops@gmail.com for a confidential request.
Ball Size/Rim Height/Gameplay
1st-3rd grade will use a size 27.5 ball, sometimes noted as size 5. Baskets will be 8 feet.
All other ages will use a size 28.5 ball, sometimes noted as size 6. Baskets will be 10 feet
1-3rd grades will play 3v3, full court using the side baskets.
4th-12th grades will play 5v5 full court “regular” games.
Referees
1st-3rd Grade will have coaches “referee”.
4th grade will use exclusively teenage referees going through our Youth Referee Development program.
5th-12th grades will have paid referees which can include our more experienced youth refs as well as Adult PIAA certified refs.
If you are in 8th grade or older and wish to participate in our Youth Referee program, please register below. You must have one year of Scorekeeping experience prior to refereeing (see Scorekeeper section below.)
Youth Referee Registration - https://register.teamsnap.com/form/CWh5emYbaHTAhHISCWLY8
Practice/Game Locations & Times
All practices and games will be held in gyms throughout the Lower Merion school district. Grades 4th and up will have a one hour practice during the week and a one hour game on the weekend. Practice night availability will be provided to the league during the registration process and players will be placed on teams accordingly. Grades 1st-3rd will have a 30 minute practice, followed by a 45 minute game on Saturdays. Exact game & practice schedules TBA. There will not be any geographic preference for practice or game location.
Coaching
We are always in need of volunteer coaches, especially moms and other female role models. Please consider registering as a Head or Assistant coach. No experience necessary – we will match you up with an experienced coach if necessary.
ALL coaches, new and returning, must register, and are required to complete a background check. If you have clearance from another organization, current documents must be uploaded during the registration process.
Coaches can request when registering to be paired together. A maximum of 3 coaches are permitted on the bench during games. Additional coaches/parents can help out at practice but must be formally registered.
Coach Sign Up - https://register.teamsnap.com/form/sCeJKP5rjfWo55fXry5pB
Coach Background Check - https://mlgba.sportngin.com/register/form/526361950
Scorekeepers/Game Timers
MLGBA employs boys and girls in 8th grade or older to keep the scorebook and run the clock for our upper division games. The pay is $12 per rec game/$15 per travel game. If interested you must register online. There will be mandatory training for all scorekeepers. Details TBA
Scorekeeper Sign Up - https://register.teamsnap.com/form/AC4apoMe4O9nnszIHFeKf
Sponsors
MLGBA relies heavily on the generosity of our community sponsors to help keep costs in line, ensure no player is turned away due to financial hardships and to help fund the annual MLGBA Scholarship. Team Sponsorships available for $350 and will include your Sponsor name on the back of 1 team jersey, and you Sponsor logo on our website. If you do not have a specific business to promote, many Sponsors choose to honor their favorite charity or non-profit.
Sponsor Registration and Payment - https://register.teamsnap.com/form/n5yfQHj2HmyQr4owhjUyZ
Teammate Requests
We do not accept teammate requests. It is part of our philosophy that girls make new friends and play with different girls each year. We find this especially helpful when transitioning from elementary to middle school. While we do understand there are unique circumstances, and we will do our best to be accommodating, simply requesting to play with friends is not something we will accept.
