Freedom Irish
Basketball
Welcome!
Youth Philosophy
Purpose
The purpose of Freedom Irish Boys Basketball is
to promote the secondary part of education. We
feel extra curricular activities are important in
developing a well rounded student. We hope to
emphasize basketball as an integral part of the
educational process. We promote high ideals of
good citizenship, sportsmanship and teamwork.
The program wants to have good students and
good people as well as good basketball players.
Parent Conduct
 Support Freedom Irish basketball.
 Cheer for all team members.
 Do not get into verbal wars with
parents/players/coaches of opposing
teams or the referees.
 Enjoy your son’s games for what they
are… games.
Youth Philosophy
Playing Time
An attempt must be made to get all players fair,
if not equal, playing time. We must keep our
players interested in playing basketball.
Allowing all kids to play and making the game
enjoyable will hopefully keep more kids
involved longer. One of the many reasons kids
quit is because of lack of playing time.
Player Burnout
• In 2007 48 million kids nationwide
participating in organized sports
•73 percent of these kids quit their
childhood sport by the age of
thirteen because they simply are not
having fun anymore.
Player Burnout
 Allow you son to enjoy the game.
 Encourage him by being supportive.
 Remember that the coaches are
coaching at practice. Try not to make the
ride home or the dinner table another
practice session.
 Winning isn’t everything.
 Multiple sports
AAU thoughts
 AAU provides another opportunity for
your son to play basketball.
 There are a variety of AAU programs out
there.
 There are a variety of opinion out there
about AAU
 See handout for some things to consider.
Concussion Forms
 New state law
 Every player must have concussion form
on file
3rd & 4th turn in with Saturday morning
form.
5-8 turn into school office
 All coaches & helpers must take on-line
concussion test
School Teams
5th & 6th grades
 Games are November 1, November 8 and
November 15 with 2 or 3 games each day.
 Number of teams & size of teams to be
determined
*ideally no more than 10 players per team.
Coaches: 5th – Todd Riesterer
6th – Josh Bernetzke
5th & 6th grade clinic
 Sunday afternoons: 4:30 – 6:00
 September 14 – October 12
 See handout
School Teams
7th & 8th grade
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
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2 teams
Games & practices during the week
2 team game day schedule (A & B)
Season begins October 21ish & ends
before Christmas.
Coaches: 7th – Eric LeBrun
8th – Jim Bernetzke
Tournament Teams
 It is the goal of the program to turn no
one away.
 There will be a selection process for 7th &
8th grades. (tryout date to be determined)
 Each grade level may be handled
differently based on numbers
State Invite
 One team at each grade level will
represent Freedom at this tournament.
 Team will be selected with input from
school coaches, tournament team
coaches, and high school coaches.
 There may be a try-out for this team.
 There is more of an emphasis to win at
this tournament.
Parent Workers
 At some point during the season you will
be asked to help out with game day
operations:
Score clock, score book, concessions,
door.
Please help out and thank you in advance.
Your continued help and support allows
your sons to have the opportunity to play.
Tournament Teams
Financing
 Our goal is to pay for all tournament entry
fees. (Will discuss this with coaches)
5th and 6th – 4 or 5 tournaments
7th and 8th – 6 or 7 tournaments
Fundraising
All money goes to program needs for
grades 3-12.
 Boys 6-8 grade tourney February 14 & 15
 Coffee sale
 Simon’s cheese (after January 1)
6 – 8 tournament
Help needed
 Scheduling workers
 Court managers
Fundraising
 New Morning Coffee Roasters’ coffee
 September 8 – September 26
 Make check payable to Freedom Boys
Basketball.
 Turn forms and money into school office
or get to John Van Rossum @ FMS.
 Thank you!!
Apparel
 Eagle Graphics (Kaukauna)
 2 times to order during the season
 September/October and November
 Order forms will be sent via e-mail and
will be posted on high school basketball
web page
Freedom Backcourt Club
 They are a support system for boys &
girls programs.
 Their philosophy is not to be involved
with youth tournament teams.
 Help fill many of the needs for the
programs when the school budget can
not. ($60,000 since 2000)
 Interested in joining? Contact Jason
Vosters vostersj@gmail.com