Youth Basketball

The St. James Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM) Basketball Program is a competitive basketball program sponsored and regulated by the Diocese of Metuchen CYM Office. Currently the diocese basketball program involves 250 teams, over 500 coaches and about 4,000 basketball players and families. Teams travel to other schools and parishes throughout the diocese to play games. The St. James basketball program is open to any interested girl or boy in grades 4 through 8 whose family is an active member of St. James Parish and attends CCD or is a current student at St. James Parochial School. Fee based registration takes place near the end of September. Teams are formed and coaches assigned in October, followed by the start of practices in late October. The Diocese of Metuchen CYM basketball league games are played on Saturdays beginning on the first weekend in December and end in the middle of March.

The focus of St. James' basketball program is on the following principles:

• to actively engage our youth in fun and challenging activities;
• to develop fitness, sports skills and teamwork;
• to demonstrate Catholic values and sportsmanship in competitive situations; and
• to help mold and cultivate the whole person - soul, intellect, and body of the student-athletes that participate.

Volunteer adult coaches provide the skill training and guidance throughout the season and many other adults provide helpful services to ensure a quality experience. Our appreciation and gratitude goes out to all who are involved in our CYM Basketball Program.

The 2004 - 2005 St. James CYM Basketball program has 14 teams across grades 4 through 8 involving about 210 male and female student-athletes from St. James School and Parish community. The entire St. James CYM basketball program is organized and managed by the Director of Basketball Operations who is the liaison with the Diocese CYM Office, St. James School/Parish leaders, the coaches, other basketball organizations and an advocate for youth development. The director is an enabler of educational opportunity for the participating student-athletes, their parents and families and the coaches. Amongst the Director's duties is integrating our Catholic faith within the context of sporting activities in a visible and meaningful way; defining a wholesome environment for youth enjoyment and sportsmanship; and supporting involvement in the CYM basketball program in order that the qualities and skills developed on the basketball court, not only have value in themselves but they hopefully, lead us to a greater sense of fair play, honesty, justice, hard work, and commitment in the more important pursuits of this life and beyond.

For more information about the St. James Basketball program contact the Director, Gene Moretti at 908-221-1766 or about the Diocese of Metuchen CYM Sports Programs go to their website at: www.yandyam.com. Click on Youth. Click on Sports.