How is EYB different than other youth basketball programs?

Empower Youth Basketball is different in a number of ways! First, our goal is to help young athletes become more active and involved in their community. Youth sports can be very costly, and EYB creates an opportunity for kids to join organized sports, regardless of financial disparities. What makes us really unique is that our coaches are primarily high school athletes. This provides an opportunity for students to gain volunteer experience for resumes and college applications, and also provides them with insight to see the value in being an active community member. Coaching a sport they already love can build confidence in their abilities and it empowers them to create change.

Are high school students really going to be the best coaches for my child?

Yes, they are! Here’s why:

Relatability: High school athletes can relate well to your kiddos due to being closer in age. This can help create a comfortable and friendly learning environment.

Role Models: High school athletes can serve as positive role models for younger kids, inspiring kids to work hard and develop the same love for the game that they share.

Energy and Enthusiasm: It goes without saying that most of these athletes have a lot more energy than the typical coach you may see. They bring a level of enthusiasm to coaching, which can make practices and games extra fun and engaging!

Skill Development: Many high school athletes have years of playing experience and therefore have a strong understanding of basketball fundamentals can effectively pass these skill onto younger athletes. Coaches will also have access to our founder for any necessary advice or assistance.

Empowerment: In coaching younger kids, high school students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain a sense of empowerment, which can be incredibly beneficial for their personal growth.

What if I don’t feel comfortable leaving my child alone with random teenagers?

We totally understand this concern! We want to assure you that all of our coaches go through training first to ensure they understand what it takes to be a role model for your kiddo! We also always welcome parents to sit in on practices if they feel more comfortable with that!

The cost seems to be too good to be true… How is it so cheap?

We are completely volunteer-run. This cuts down on coaching and referee costs. The only cost to each kid is the cost of their team shirt. We are so grateful to our local elementary schools for donating their gym space to allow us to organize team practices and games!

I’m still not convinced. Why should I enroll my child in this program?

It’s in the name. Empower Youth Basketball is exactly what we strive to do. Empower youth. Far too many coaches still have such a heavy focus on physical ability alone without taking into account the whole athlete. To create a strong athlete, we believe that kids must first have confidence and mental toughness. They need to love the game before they find that internal motivation to become better. Our goal is to get as many kids involved as possible, and we never want sports to be exclusive at such a young age.

I’m a student that wants to volunteer. What does that entail?

Our first season will run for 6 weeks. This means one 60 minute practice per week, as well as a Saturday game each week, with a 2 game per team tournament at the end. As this is our first year running the program, you will also attend a coach’s training practice at the beginning, run by the founder, Rylan Monahan, to learn what is expected of you and how to run a practice for little ones.

At the end of the season, you will also receive a letter of confirmation from us stating how many volunteer hours you completed. Upon request, you may also receive a letter of recommendation from our organizer that can also be used for job and college applications.