Parent FAQ
The questions we get asked most, answered plainly. Still stuck? Just email us.
Tryouts, Registration & Fees
Who can play?
This season PYBA runs competitive basketball for 5th and 6th grade, boys and girls, in Pillager School District 116. Players are placed by the grade they are entering in the fall and split into boys and girls divisions.
For other grades, Pillager Community Education runs programming — contact them directly for those options.
When does registration close?
Sign-ups for the 2026–27 season close Wednesday, September 23. Players must be registered to try out, so do not wait until the last day. Register here.
Does my child have to try out?
Yes. Tryouts are Sunday, September 27 — 5th grade boys & girls 11:00 AM–12:30 PM, 6th grade boys & girls 1:00–2:30 PM — in the Middle School and High School gyms, with October 4 held as a backup date. Each grade group gets roughly 90 minutes.
Two optional open gyms run beforehand on September 13 and September 20, 6:00–7:30 PM.
How much does it cost?
Signing up for tryouts is free. Season registration is sent to families after teams are placed.
If your player makes a team, the season fee is $300 — it covers their jersey and five tournaments, with the possibility of more if the team wants them.
Payment runs through Zeffy, which charges no processing fees — so every dollar you pay actually reaches the program.
Can we earn any of the fee back?
Yes. Volunteer four hours during the season and $50 comes back to you, for each child you have in the program. Rebates are issued after the season once hours are confirmed.
Is there a refund policy?
The board has not finalized a refund policy yet. If you need to withdraw a player, contact us and we will work it out with you directly.
Teams, Practices & Games
How are teams formed?
Teams are selected at tryouts. Players are grouped by grade and by boys/girls, and evaluators place athletes between sessions. Where numbers allow, a grade will field both an A and a B team so more players get a roster spot.
Where are practices and games held?
Practices and tryouts are in the Pillager Middle School and High School gyms. Teams travel to tournaments in the region, and PYBA is planning to host home tournaments in early January.
Once schedules are set they will appear on the Schedule page.
What does my player need to bring?
- Court shoes with non-marking soles
- A labeled water bottle
- Athletic shorts and a t-shirt for practice and tryouts
We provide the basketballs. Mouthguards are optional but encouraged. Uniform details are still being finalized and will be posted once confirmed.
How will we hear about cancellations?
Your coach is the first point of contact and will reach out directly. A written weather and cancellation policy is being finalized by the board and will be posted here once approved.
Volunteering & Coaching
I want to coach. What's required?
Fill out the coach application. Applications are reviewed by a coach selection committee and approved by the board, and every coach is background checked before working with players.
Prior playing experience helps but is not required — wanting to do it right matters more.
Can I help without coaching?
Yes, and we need it. Concessions, scorekeeping, clock, setup and teardown, tournament help, and fundraising all run on volunteers. Open slots are posted on the Volunteer page.
Is there a volunteer requirement?
There are no mandatory hours and no buy-out fee. Instead, four hours earns $50 back per child — we would rather reward help than require it. That said, a season genuinely does not run without families pitching in.
How is PYBA's money handled?
PYBA is a volunteer-run nonprofit. Nobody draws a salary. Our treasurer reports at every board meeting, and summaries of those meetings — including the treasurer's balance — are posted on the News & Minutes page.
Board members are listed on the Board page. If you want to know where the money goes, ask — we will tell you.
Still Have a Question?
We are parents and volunteers, not a call center — but we do answer every email.