Welcome to AABL online! IMPORTANT BASKETBALL SUMMER INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE INFORMATION: 2009 SPARTAN I Boys & Girls Basketball Camp This year's Spartain I Boys and Girls Basketball Camp will be held at Oakmont Regional High School, 9 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, MA. Boys (7th - 12th grade)  July 6-10 9am - 3pm; Girl's (7th - 12th grade) July 13 - 17, 9am - 3pm; Boys & Girls Grades 4, 5 and 6, July 27 - 31 (please call for official time).  The Oakmont Basketball Program provides a fun filled, positive learning experience to each aspiring basketball player.  During the five day clinic, head coaches Jeff O'Neill and Eric Dawley will cover the basic fundamentals necessary to play the game while giving careful consideration to the skill level of each individual.  Each camp participant recieves a Free Basketball, Free Basketball Booklet, and Free Camp T-Shirt.  Camp Tuition is $125 per participant. Early registration is recommended and applications will be accepted up to the start of each camp.  Please mail payment to and direct questions to either:  Eric Dawley, 10 Seminole Ave., Hubbardston, MA 01452, Cell:  (508) 494-9766, Email:  edawley@awrsd.org; or to Jeff O'Neill, 156 Lindell Ave., Leominster, MA 01453, Home:  (978) 534-3995.  Make checks payable to Spartan I Basketball Camp. Please call either Eric or Jeff to acquire an official application.  Spartan I Basketball Camp is not affiliated with the AABL. Thank you to all who participated in the AABL this year. We are looking forward to another exciting season beginning December of 2009! THIS YEAR'S SEASON WAS ONE TO BE PROUD OF: Thank you to Chris Wells for joining the board and all his support in helping us have a season this year and to all of our sponsors, and to Steve Slocum who would not let this our 20th season go down without a fight. Congratulations to the Spurs and the Eagles on their championship game wins, which their opponents did not make easy. Neither opposing team rolled over and played dead. Both games were down to the wire and neck and neck. Some of the most exciting basketball that the AABL has ever seen in a championship game was played on that court, April 4, 2009. It was also an honor to forever rename the "coaches award" to the "Rachel Lee Award" in rememberance of our lovely Rachel Lee who enjoyed basketball and life to the fullest. Also congratulations to the Skills Winners: COLLEGE Over all Team: Eagles Speed Dribble: Justin Streeks Hot Shot: Kallie and Owen Napolitano Free Throw - Stephen Foster Mikan Drill: Evan D'Attillio Knock Out - Keven Gallant   PRO Over all Team: Spurs 3 Point: Brian Manita Free Throw: Justin Latour Hot Shot: (If this is you, please email Gayle Craig, so we can post it, sorry) Knock Out: Chris Cefole Mikan: Donald Capadolupo   RACHEL LEE AWARDS PRO Celtics - Hannah Connors Spurs - Chris Holloway Bulls - Zach Despres Nuggets - Noah Smith COLLEGE Bull Dogs - Peter Jones Hoyas - Austin Bornstein Jayhawks - Johnna Roy Wolverines - Tyler Belliveau Longhorns - Matt Lafferty Minutemen - Rebecca Behringer Huskies - Linnea Gardner Eagles - Kallie Napolitano _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ IF THERE IS NO SCHOOL, THE GYMS WILL BE CLOSED FOR THAT EVENING, AND THERE WILL BE NO PRACTICES THAT EVENING. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR DUE TO LAST DECEMBER'S ICE STORM. IMPORTANT: ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR COACH TO SEE IF YOUR PRACTICE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR A DIFFERENT NIGHT THAT WEEK, OR CANCELED ENTIRELY. COLLEGE, PRO TEAM STANDINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE & CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING THE RESPECTIVE "RESULTS" LINKS ON THE MENU BAR.   PARENT CONDUCT REMINDER: We've been having a terrific 2009-2010 season thus far. Thank you to the parents for bringing you children to practices and games each week and for supporting our 'Code of Ethics' rules in the stands and at any AABL event, including practices. It makes each game much more enjoyable and allows the volunteer coaches to mentor your children and the referees to do their job without interference. If you have a problem with your child's coach, a referee issue or an issue with another parent, please bring your concerns to one of the board members listed on this website, either in person, via telephone, or via email. We strictly enforce our "Code of Ethics", for the benefit of everyone in the league.   SPECIAL NOTE:  The AABL Board Members would like to acknowledge that a wonderful and active member of the AABL Board for many years, Steven Slocum, has been called to active duty in the army in Iraq.  He leaves within the week for his tour.  He is well respected in our community as well as in the league. We will miss him while he is away, and are extremely proud of his service to our country.  He was instrumental in organizing the league this year and is looking forward to returning to his position in the board and the refereeing in the league next season.   SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP IN REMEMBRANCE OF A SPECIAL GIRL:  This year we are very honored to have been offered funding from the Rachel Lee Memorial Scholarship Foundation for 3 basketball scholarships.  Rachel loved playing basketball and inspired all her knew her by continuing to play last season while she battled bravely against the cancer that so tragically took her life.  In Rachel's memory, one junior player, one college player, and one pro player will enjoy playing in our league during this year of troubling uncertain economic times; when otherwise their families could not have afforded them to play.   Thank you Rachel and to Rachel's family for this very generous donation. It is a privledge to honor your memory, you will always forever remain in the forefront of our hearts.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Ashburnham Area Basketball League or as it is more commonly known, The AABL, is an instructional coed league open to Ashburnham and Westminster (and surrounding area) children in grades 1-9. It's mission is to teach young players the fundamentals of basketball in a structured and nurturing environment. The league continually strives to help children develop their skills, while teaching the importance of commitment, teamwork and good sportsmanship. THIS YEARS SPONSORS!  We'd like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring teams this year. If you would like to sponsor a team next year please contact any of the board members listed on this site. We hope to have you back for 2009-2010! LVI Print Optimization Rick Ruberti Auto Sales Ashburnham Wine & Spirits Matthew Billet, Attorney Patrick Durkee Painting Ashburnham MarketPlace NEPACO (Northeast Promotion and Apparel Company Inc.) Athol Savings Bank Paul's Plate Glass The Care Takers Dimacale & GracieReal Estate Foster Insurance GFA Federal Credit Union Creative Connections   L&M Landscaping   Rick's Auto Repair & Service Inc.   Robert F. Behringer CPA, PC   Roy Bros. Oil & Propane   Plantscape Services   Nancy & James Coghlin, SR   Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts   Sullivan Group LEAGUE STRUCTURE There are 3 Divisions in this league. The Pro Division - The Pro Division consists of players in the 7th through 9th grade. This division has one evening practice each week and a game on Saturday. Each player will receive a game uniform (jersey & shorts) to keep. The College Division - The College Division is made up of 4th through 6th graders. The College Division has an evening practice each week and a game on Saturday. Each player will receive a game uniform (jersey & shorts) to keep.  The Junior Division - The Junior Division is for 1st through 3rd graders. There are no weekday practices. Each Saturday they will have a practice/scrimmage session. These sessions are devoted to learning the rules and developing skills. Each player will receive a team shirt. The Junior teams will be randomly divided. Please let us know on your registration form if there is a particular friend (not friends!) that your child would like to have on their team. DRAFT The College and Pro draft is set up to try and create teams of equal playing abilities. Please be sure that you want to play before signing up. It is very unfair to the other children on the team when a player drops out after the draft has taken place. A missing player can disrupt the whole dynamics of the league. This is very important! Please do not sign up if you are not committed to playing. Thank you. BUILDING USE RULES 1. ONLY water is allowed in both gyms (Overlook & Oakmont). This means no sports drinks or any other kind of drinks - and this includes coffee, parents! There is no food of any kind permitted. 2. There is NO bouncing of basketballs in the hallways or off the walls or in any other place in the schools except for the gyms. The league will provide balls for games and practices. Please leave all personal balls at home. 3. All children must be under adult supervision at all times. Parents - please do not drop children off until the coach is present. Siblings are not allowed to play in the halls or other area of the schools. These rules apply to everyone. We will lose gym privileges if these rules are not followed! If we lose the gyms then there will be no league. CODE OF ETHICS All parents signed a Code of Ethics when registering their children. These rules are very important and they must be followed. Please treat officials  and coaches with respect and support all players in a positive way. Here is the Code of Ethics. Please review it and support it. Thank you! AABL CODE OF ETHICS The "Code" is a "covenant" between parents, players, and coaches of the AABL and is meant to be a way of ensuring that the league can fulfill its mission of teaching young players the fundamentals of basketball in a structured and nurturing environment. If any terms of this agreement are violated during the course of the season, the league reserves the right to rescind a child's PRIVILEGE to play. If your child is enrolled in our league you MUST agree to and abide by the following: 1. I understand that the AABL is an instructional league, whose mission is to teach young players the fundamentals of basketball while having FUN. 2. I understand that the AABL continually strives to teach the importance of commitment, teamwork, and true sportsmanship that should be exhibited not only in this sport, but in all athletic activities. 3. I understand that the AABL will not tolerate foul or abusive language/behavior from any player, coach, parent, or spectator (this would include, among other things: heckling, yelling, taunting, harassment, or the berating of officials or coaches). 4. I will set an example for the players by being a courteous and respectful spectator at all practices and games. I understand that I may be asked to leave a practice and/or game if I cannot fulfill this obligation. 5. I understand that gym time throughout the District is at a premium and that the league is very fortunate to have use of District facilities. I will honor the "practice rules" that have been established at each school and will help my child to adhere to these rules. 6. I understand that all coaches are giving freely of their time and talents and under no circumstances will I do or say anything to undermine their efforts. If I have a problem with a coach or coaches, I will bring this concern to the attention of the "AABL Board of Directors."