Important YBL Information
When kids play sports, they get more than just exercise. YMCA Youth Sports programs maximize the positive effects of playing sports by emphasizing healthy competition and promoting teamwork. The Y focuses on the life lessons that can be learned from sports, and coaches strive to instill a positive self-image in each player.
Divisions
COED DIVISIONS
Junior YBL (Starting at age 4)
Kindergarten
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-4
Grades 5-6
Grades 7-8 and 9-12
GIRLS DIVISIONS*
Grades 3-4
Grades 5-6
Practices begin the week of January 5 with games beginning the week of January 12.
Practices and games will be played at the Galowich Family YMCA or local schools. Grades Pre K- 6th will play games on Saturdays at the Galowich Family YMCA and other community partner locations. Grades 7-8 and the High School Division will play on Tuesday evenings at a Plainfield school and on Saturdays at a Joliet school.
*In order for competitions to run in the Girls’ Divisions, a minimum number of participants must be enrolled. The Y will determine if these divisions will be able to run by November 13, and families will be notified.
2025-26 Season Pricing
Facility Members
Through September 22: $90
September 23-November 10: $95
After November 10: $100
Community Members
Through September 22: $180
September 23-November 10: $190
After November 10: $200
2025-26 Preseason Clinics
The YMCA is teaming up with Joliet Junior College (JJC) to prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting youth basketball clinics for kids of all ages, as well as a special coaches clinic. These FREE co-ed clinics will be taught by JJC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shaun Sanderson and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Turner alongside members of their respective teams.
These sessions will focus on teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game of basketball, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball handling.
Clinics will be held at the following location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
Team Sideline
All league communication, including practice or game cancellations and other scheduling updates, will be sent through Team Sideline. Registered participants will receive instructions on signing up for Team Sideline prior to the start of the season.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in supporting YBL as a volunteer head coach or assistant coach, complete an online volunteer application here. The Y supports our volunteer coaches by providing the following resources:
- Practice time and location
- Practice site set-up, practice equipment and storage
- Practice outlines
- Staff supervision at all practices/games (Supervising staff is certified in CPR and First-Aid)
- Instructional staff support at practices if requested
- Team Sideline Benefits
-Game schedule
-Practice schedule
-Picture day schedule
-Game and practice reminders as well as any alerts to changes in the schedule will be sent directly from the YMCA to coaches/parents - Free volunteer coach shirt
- Free coach plaque (Head Coach)/team picture (Assistant Coaches), one free coach/player picture
- Hand whistles for practices
- Game rules
To learn more, please contact:
Zach Jarosz, Sports Director
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317
Email: [email protected]
