By George Zeliff
Mail

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (BGCS) is gearing up for winter sports.

Registration for the Junior Suns, Junior Mercury and Biddy Ball basketball leagues began Sunday, Oct. 1, and close Monday, Nov. 27. The season starts in January and ends on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. 

These programs have helped introduce kids to basketball and grow their skills since 1999. The leagues emphasize fun, teamwork, sportsmanship, positive parent participation, and teach what it takes to win on and off the court.

Biddy Ball is a co-ed league for young children in kindergarten through second grade. Junior Suns is also co-ed, serving boys and girls from third to eighth grade, and Junior Mercury was added this year for girls in third through sixth grade.

Biddy Ball is only offered at four BGCS locations, including Mary Ellen & Robert McKee Branch (14605 N. Del Cambre Ave., Fountain Hills), Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch (2311 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale), Virginia G. Piper Branch (10515 E. Lakeview Drive, Scottsdale) and Vestar Branch (3975 E. Lockwood Drive, Scottsdale). 

Practices will be once a week for Biddy Ball, but the time and day changes for each location. To find practice times and contact information for each branch’s Sports and Fitness Coordinator, visit www.bgcs.org/sports

The Junior Suns and Junior Mercury leagues are further separated into divisions by age. Practice times and days will be determined by coaches, but all leagues play games on Fridays and Saturdays, starting Friday, Jan. 12.

League fees are $133 per player across all three programs, and all players must be active BGCS members or pay a $25 annual membership fee before registering. Jerseys are an additional $15 if needed. 

Visit bgcs.org/myclubhub to register. Registration instructions are available at bgcs.org/sports. BGCS Sports Leagues Director Sheila Scott can be contacted at sheila.scott@bgcs.org for questions about Boys & Girls Club sports.