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PBHC YOUTH BASKETBALL Grades K-8

November 18, 2020

Portage Boys Hoops Club (PBHC) Families,

First and foremost, we sincerely hope that you are well during this challenging time. As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, including our ability to begin the youth basketball season in November, as we typically do.

Over the past 4 years, the PBHC has offered organized play for grades 3-8, in addition to grades K-2 the past 2 seasons. In general, our mission is to support the K-12 Portage Boys Basketball program. Unfortunately, our programming support needs to be adjusted this year, due to the pandemic. There are two main reasons for this, and it is our intent as the PBHC board to be transparent and communicate what we currently know.

First, under guidance from the PHS Athletic Director Ed Carlson, the PBHC was advised to wait for communication from the WIAA, on guidelines related to Covid-19. Then, in mid-October, the WIAA released the Winter Sports Considerations, to guide for a safe environment for potential winter sports play. As noted in the document, “Viral transmission is much more likely indoors than outdoors, some studies report 19 times higher the risk. Knowing that winter sports are all played at indoor venues, there may be elevated risk for viral transmission.” That said, the PBHC will adhere to the WIAA guidelines provided for consideration to promote safe play for our youth, when our youth programming resumes. The document is available on our PBHC website, at www.portageboyshoopsclub.com.

Second, since our youth boys basketball programming uses the Portage Community School District facilities, we need the approval from the school district to use the facilities, and we are still waiting on the approval. Currently, the school district has determined that no outside organization will be provided with gym usage through December 31st. District administration are continually monitoring the situation, and hope to communicate a plan for January 2021, soon. The PBHC supports the Portage Community School District’s decision on gym usage, and we will continue to work closely with Athletic Director Ed Carlson, on potential usage after January 1, 2021.

The PBHC also participates in the Badger Developmental League (BDL) for youth play, and the BDL also is unable to provide programming currently, due to school and gym usage availability. It is also their hope to introduce programming January through March.

It is our goal as the PBHC board to provide opportunities for your youth to play basketball yet this season, and we will continue to monitor the situation and provide you with updates when available – including a possible “intent-to-play” sign-up, soon. Please note that the PBHC will not be sponsoring any play (organized practices, games, tournaments), outside of the 2020-21 season – which is yet to be determined and announced.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact us at:

Stay well,

Portage Boys Hoops Club Board