Calgary Northwest Basketball (CNWB) offers an introductory/ beginner level, co-ed program called Learn to Play and Tykes for children ages 5-8.

Beginning at age 9, CNWB teams participate in competitive CMBA leagues for each of the following gender specific age categories:

• U11 - Ages 9-10
• U13 - Ages 11-12
• U15 - Ages 13-14
• U18/High School - Ages 15-17

Calgary Northwest Basketball is an organization run entirely by volunteers. Every family is asked to participate and contribute in some way to ensure the success of all teams and athletes. For more information, please visit our Volunteer Positions page.

The season typically starts early September with player evaluations and team selections. Evaluation sessions are a combination of skill drills and scrimmage. The process is designed to assess and accurately place a player on a team that matches their skill and experience level. All players will be placed on a team; there are no cuts.

Once a player has been placed on a team, that team will remain in tact for the duration of the season. Teams will typically practice once per week on a weekday evening and play 2 games every second Saturday.

There is a 3 week break around winter holidays before the season resumes in January. League play wraps up by early March at which point select teams may qualify to participate in the season-ending Alberta Basketball Youth Provincials tournament.

One per week practices take place on weekdays, generally between the hours of 5:00pm and 10:00pm with the younger teams given priority to the earlier times. Typically a practice time will be 90 minutes but this can vary depending on the facility.

Practice nights are not determined until after the teams have been made and Coaches have been assigned. While you are welcome to make a practice scheduling request, we cannot guarantee anything. Facility and Coach availability are the two biggest determinants to a team's practice schedule.

CMBA games take place on Saturday. Some U15 boys games will also take place on Fridays.  These can begin as early as 9:00 am, and start as late as 4:45 pm.

For a more detailed schedule of gamedays depending on age-groups please visit CMBA's Schedule Overview.

Game facilities can be anywhere within the CMBA boundaries. This means that games could be played in any zone, including Okotoks, Airdrie and Cochrane.

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CLICK TO VISIT OUR LTP/ TYKES PAGE

Boys and Girls: Ages 9-10

CNWB offers an exciting program for new or experienced basketball players ages 9-10. The emphasis is on FUNdamentals, overall skill development and building a love for the game.  U11 teams typically range from 8-10 players with game-play being 4 on 4, in an equal playing-time setting. This ensures that all players have the opportunity to develop, to compete and to contribute to their team's success.

Season: September to March

Teams: Boys and Girls teams are separate beginning in U11. Teams are not co-ed in U11.

Evaluations: All players will participate in evaluations and will be placed on a team appropriate to their skill level.

Practices: 1 practice per week (weekday evenings)

Games: Alternating Saturdays with 2  games every second week through the CMBA League. Games begin in early October.

Boys and Girls: Ages 11-12

CNWB offers a great program for new or experienced basketball players ages 11-12. The emphasis continues to be on overall skill development and building a long-lasting desire to play.  U13 teams typically range from 10-12 players with game play evolving to 5 on 5 play . According to the CMBA guidelines for playing time, all players must play a similar amount of time in each game. It is also expected that all players play a part of every quarter. This ensures that all players continue to have the opportunity to develop, to compete and to contribute to their team's success.

Season: September to March

Evaluations: All players will participate in evaluations and will be placed on a team appropriate to their skill level. U11 experience is not required to play U13.

Practices: 1 practice per week (weekday evenings)

Games: Alternating Saturdays with 2  games every second week through the CMBA League. Games begin in early October.

Boys and Girls: Ages 13-14

CNWB offers a fun and competitive program for new and experienced basketball players of all skill levels, ages 13-14. The emphasis continues to be on overall player development in an environment that encourages them to continue playing the game they love. U15 teams typically range from 10-12 players. According to the CMBA guidelines for playing time - All players must play a similar amount of time in each game and it is expected that all players play a part of every quarter. This ensures that all players continue to have the opportunity to develop, to compete and to contribute to their team's success.

Season: September to March

Evaluations: All players will participate in evaluations and will be placed on a team appropriate to their skill level. Previous basketball experience is not required.

Practices: 1 practice per week (weekday evenings)

Games: Alternating Saturdays with 2  games every second week through the CMBA League. Games begin in early October.

Boys and Girls: Ages 15-17 (Gr. 10-12)

Season 1 (Fall): September to November

Season 2 (Winter): January to March (Registration for season 2 will begin in November - exact date TBD)

• PLEASE NOTE - Season 2 (Winter) is only for players who do not play  on their high school's team and who are still 17 years of age on December 31.

Evaluations: All players will participate in evaluations and will be placed on a team appropriate to their skill level. Previous basketball experience is not required.

Practices: 1 practice per week (weekday evenings)

Games: Alternating Saturdays with 2  games every second week through the CMBA League. Games begin in mid-September and end prior to high school tryouts in November. 

U18 Girls - Diamond League

• This is an elite league for all high school girls who want to play and train in a fun atmosphere with other elite players. Tryouts (not evaluations) are held in early/mid September.
• Diamond league training and games occur on Sunday so this can be done in tandem with CNWB high school girls teams without any scheduling conflict

For more information and to register, please follow this link to Diamond League.

U18 Boys - Platinum League

• More competitive league for U18 Boys with fewer rule modifications
  • Emphasis on high performance
  • Full length FIBA games
  • No equal/balanced play time rules
• Determination of team participation is at each zone discretion. CNWB will make a decision regarding participation based on the level of play of our top High School boys team.

For more information please follow this link to Platinum League.