The West Hartford Girls Basketball League was founded in 1988 to provide a place for girls to play basketball in the town of West Hartford. Dr David Weil, D.D.S. was the first president of the league that he created for his daughter, Marni, to play basketball.

The founding executive board members included John Pendergast, Cindy Jaworski, Bert Seiferheld, Dan Doyle, Kathy Doyle, Dave Handley, and Rod Steier. The league was established to promote the fundamentals of basketball through commitment, team work, sportsmanship, fair play, hard work, and fun.

Past presidents of the league include David Weil, Bert Seiferheld, Doug Packard, Susan Finnegan, Adela Bernard, Jim Buikus, Dana Gordon, Mike LaMarco, and Lynn Benjamin.

In 2005, the league began to offer a Summer Blacktop League. This opportunity was instituted by Leslie Ryan, Ed Connor, Kevin Connor, Jay McDonough, and Jim Buikus and has been managed by volunteers every summer since 2005. In 2023, the WHGBL Board of Directors voted to discontinue the Summer Blacktop League for several reasons including facility and weather challenges and volunteer constraints and player safety.

Subject to the grade level restrictions set forth below, to be eligible to play in the Recreational League, girls must either officially reside in or attend school, public or private, in the Town of West Hartford. The Recreational League consists of three (3) Divisions organized as follows:

 (a) Minors Division: girls in 3rd or 4th grade.

(b) Juniors Division - girls in 5th or 6th grade.

(c) Seniors Division - girls in 7th or 8th grade.

Recognizing that extenuating circumstances may exist from time to time, the Board is authorized to consider requests for exceptions to the grade level limits to allow a player to play in a lower Division as set forth above with respect to their Divisions, provided that the requests must be:

(i)               submitted in writing; and

(ii)              must fully describe the extenuating circumstances.

Any such requests will be evaluated on their individual merits and subject to majority approval of the attending Board members at any regular or special meeting.

MINORS AND JUNIORS DIVISION:

Players in the Minors Division (3rd and 4th Graders) are assigned to teams by the League Registrar shortly after the end of the League’s registration period.

JUNIORS DIVISION:

All players in the Juniors Division are drafted by Head Coaches at a League Draft shortly after the end of the League's registration period.

SENIORS DIVISION:

All players in the Seniors Division are drafted by Head Coaches at a League Draft shortly after the end of the League's registration period.

Once a player is assigned (Minors Division) or drafted (Juniors and Seniors) to a team, they cannot change teams even if their schedule changes. Therefore, if a player’s schedule changes before they are assigned to a team, it is critical that the league Registrar and league President be informed immediately by emailing registrar@whgbl.org and president@whgbl.org

PLAYER ASSESSMENT FOR PLAYERS IN THE JUNIORS AND SENIORS DIVISIONS:

There is a player assessment for all players in the Juniors and Seniors Divisions. It is important for players to attend this session so that the coaches and league officials can assess their skills for the player drafts. THIS IS NOT A TRYOUT. This is simply a day for coaches and league administrators to assess a player's skill level. Please make every effort for your child to attend this assessment. If a player cannot attend the assessment, Juniors and Seniors Division players will still be drafted to a team but the Head Coach will be blindly drafting the player.

At the West Hartford Girls Basketball League (WHGBL), our mission is to foster integrity, inclusivity, and personal growth both on and off the court. We are deeply committed to building teams that promote leadership development and help players expand their social circles, collaborate effectively, and cultivate lifelong skills in teamwork and resilience.

To uphold these values and ensure fairness across the league, we are unable to honor requests for specific team placements — including those based on friendship, carpooling, or personal preferences. This policy applies equally to all participants, including Head Coaches. Coaches may not request player assignments for the sole purpose of enabling a parent to serve as an Assistant Coach.

We appreciate your understanding as we strive to create a balanced and empowering experience for every athlete. If you have questions or need clarification, please reach out directly to the League President.

At WHGBL, the safety and well-being of our players is paramount. In alignment with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) basketball regulations, the league enforces a clear and consistent policy regarding jewelry and hair adornments to minimize risk and maintain the integrity of play.

Jewelry Guidelines

To ensure a safe environment for all participants, the wearing of jewelry during any WHGBL activity—including practices, exhibition games, regular season matchups, playoffs, and championship contests—is strictly prohibited. This includes:

• Earrings, studs, and any form of body piercings
• Bracelets of any type, including “friendship” and rope styles
• Necklaces, rings, anklets, or other accessories

There are no exceptions to this policy. Jewelry may not be taped over or worn in any form while on the court. We strongly advise parents to postpone any new ear piercings until after the season to avoid closure concerns.

League officials, including coaches, referees, and administrators—are trained to monitor compliance, and retain discretion over what constitutes jewelry.

Note: Medical identification bracelets and necklaces are not categorized as jewelry. However, to ensure safety, they must be securely fastened. Officials may request these items be taped down if they pose a hazard.

Hair Adornment Guidelines

Players may wear hair beads and similar items, provided they are firmly secured close to the head and do not increase the risk of injury to the player or others. This includes:

• Barrettes
• Bobby pins
• Beads

However, hair charms or decorative elements designed as jewelry fall under the same restrictions as outlined above and are not permitted during play.

PRACTICES

MINORS DIVISION:

Minors Division teams practice one night each week for one hour. Practices are usually from 5pm – 6pm or from 6pm – 7pm. Practice days are subject to facility availability and coach availability for a team’s practice.

JUNIORS DIVISION:

Juniors Division teams practice twice per week for an hour and a half each practice. Practice start times may begin anywhere from 5pm to 7:30pm (e.g., for a 7:30pm start time, practices would end at 9pm). Practice days are subject to facility availability and coach availability for a team’s practice. When players are drafted to a team, coaches will do their best to take into account a player’s conflict date provided to the league at the time of registration. The league cannot guarantee that they will be drafted to a team where the player will be available for both practices. Players are only required to attend a minimum of one practice per week if they have a schedule conflict. A schedule conflict is considered an excused practice. Coaches may discipline players by providing less game playing time for players who have unexcused absences from practice, consistently have unexcused tardiness for practices and games.

SENIORS DIVISION:

Seniors Division teams practice twice per week for an hour and a half each practice. Practice start times may begin anywhere from 6pm up to 7:30pm (e.g., for a 7:30pm start time, practices would end at 9pm). Practice days are subject to facility availability and coach availability for a team’s practice. When players are drafted to a team, coaches will do their best to take into account a player’s conflict date provided to the league at the time of registration. The league cannot guarantee that they will be drafted to a team where the player will be available for both practices. Players are only required to attend a minimum of one practice per week if they have a schedule conflict. A schedule conflict is considered an excused practice. Coaches may discipline players by providing less game playing time for players who have unexcused absences from practice, consistently have unexcused tardiness for practices and games.

GAME SCHEDULES

All games are played on Sundays and begin in early January and end in late February/early March.

Minors Division:

Games are played at Conard High School small courts on either side of the main court and are usually one hour in length. Game start times are usually between 9am and 11am. While scores are kept (unless a team has higher than a 20-point lead at the end of a quarter, in which case scores are reset to zero), wins/losses and league standings are not tracked in the Minors Division

Juniors Division:

Games are played at Sedgwick Middle School main large gym and are usually one hour in length. Game start times are usually between 11am and 4pm. Scoring, wins, losses and standings are tracked in the Juniors Division. The top 4 teams at the end of the regular season make the playoffs with a Championship Game at the end of the season. All other teams play in a one game, consolation game at the end of the season. The playoff and consolation games are played at Sedgwick. The Championship Game is played at Conard High School on the main large court.

Seniors Division:

Games are played at Conard High School on the main large court. Games are usually an hour and a half in length and start times are usually between 12pm and 4pm. The top 4 teams at the end of the regular season make the playoffs with a Championship Game at the end of the season. There are no consolation games in the Seniors Division.

PLEASE NOTE: Practices and game schedules, playoffs and Championship Games are subject to facility permits provided by the Town of West Hartford and are subject to change at any time.

CANCELLATION OF PRACTICES OR GAMES

If a West Hartford public school is closed on a particular day, all activities at that school including practices and/or games will also be closed. The Town of West Hartford does its best to keep the league informed if a school is closed due to extra-curricular activities (e.g., due to an after school concert or event). When those situations occur, your daughter’s coaches will inform you that the practice or game is canceled for that day. If all West Hartford schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be a notice posted on the front page of our league website, our Facebook and Instagram pages announcing that all practices and/or games are canceled due to weather conditions.

The primary tenet of the WHGBL is that players learn valuable life leadership skills through teaching and helping players understand the fundamentals of the game of basketball.

Whether your daughter will be the next CEO of a Fortune 500 company, a founder of a future industry disrupter, a teacher, master plumber, electrician or scientist that keeps our country moving, a spirit that saves the world through charitable work or the next U.S. Senator from the great state of Connecticut, learning leadership skills is vital to her future success. At the WHGBL, our players learn the following Leadership Core Values through our clinics, practices and game play :

1. CONFIDENCE: Learning and mastering basketball skills boosts a child's self-confidence. Success in executing plays and contributing to the team fosters a sense of achievement.
2. TEAMWORK: Basketball is inherently a team sport, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and coordination. In our league, players learn to trust and rely on their teammates for success on and off the court.
3. SPORTSMANSHIP: Understanding and respecting the rules of the game promotes fair play, and winning and losing teaches an appreciation for equality and opponent competition.
4. HUMILITY: Basketball teaches individuals that success is often a result of collective effort rather than individual brilliance. Experiencing the thrill of winning in a mature manner and overcoming the challenges of keeping your head up in losses, encourages players to stay humble and continue improving.
5. CHARACTER: This sport requires players to make ethical decisions both on and off the court. Adhering to values and principles in the face of challenges builds a solid foundation for a personality that acts appropriately regardless if anyone is watching. 
6. RESPECT: In the WHGBL, participants learn to respect coaches, parents, teammates, opponents, officials, staff, volunteers, board members and the game itself. In addition, recognizing and appreciating the diversity of players, playing styles and skills, contributes to a culture of respect.
7. INTEGRITY: Upholding the rules and values of the game demonstrates integrity. Through the game, we teach individuals to act with honesty and maintain a strong moral compass.
8. RESPONSIBILITY: Players learn to fulfill their roles within the team structure through taking care of personal equipment, following team strategies and being held accountable for their actions. They also learn that they are responsible for positively influencing others.
9. PERSEVERANCE: Facing challenges, setbacks, and defeats in basketball encourages players to never quit. Overcoming obstacles and continuously working to improve skills are essential aspects of the game.
10. GRATITUDE: Expressing appreciation for the support of parents, coaches, official, staff, volunteers, board members and teammates, fosters a grateful and positive mindset that influences others.

Kathy M. Doyle - Sportsmanship Award:

One player from each team (in all divisions) will be selected as a recipient of the Kathy M. Doyle Sportsmanship Award. The Head Coach shall make the selection upon or near the completion of the season and will report the selection to the League President.

The criteria for this award is as follow:

1.Supportive and encouraging of teammates

2.Demonstrates respect for opposing players

3.Demonstrates respect for game officials

4.Displays enthusiasm for the game of basketball

5.Displays loyalty to the team

6.Player is coachable and demonstrates a willingness to learn

Jim Buikus - Most Improved Player Award (Seniors Division Only):

One player in total from the Seniors Division will be selected as a recipient of the Jim Buikus Award. This award is provided to one player in the entire Seniors Division that is considered the "Most Improved Player" in the league. Near the end of the season, the Head Coach of each team will nominate one player from their team for the award and will provide a brief paragraph outlining why the player should be considered for the award. Then, all Head Coaches will vote on which player should receive the award (a Head Coach may not vote for the nominee on their team). In the event of a tie, there will be run off voting. In the event of an unbreakable tie, the League President will cast the deciding vote.

PLEASE NOTE: These awards are only given out to players who attend the Award Ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in between the Seniors and Juniors Division Championship Games. The awards cannot be given to anyone else and they cannot be delivered. The player must show up at the Awards Ceremony to receive their award.

The West Hartford Girls Basketball League considers itself first and foremost a teaching league. As such, the league may schedule, host and/or facilitate basketball clinics throughout the season.

These clinics are designed to help girls develop their fundamental basketball skills. The clinics focus on:

·       Individual ball handling

·       Cross dribble

·       Pivoting, triple threat and jump stop

·       One on one using right and left hand

·       Dribbling to get to open spots for a shot

·       Correct lay-up footwork

The clinics are led by Coach Craig Tanner and/or Coach Ariane Dyson. Craig is a WHGBL Board member as the Training and Development Director. Ariane is also a WHGBL Board member as the Assistant Training and Development Director. Craig has been a Girls Varsity High School Coach for 20 seasons, has directed 20 years of summer basketball camps and is also a IAABO Board 6 certified Basketball Official.

In 2013 Craig was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Craig currently referees in the WHGBL.

CLINIC REGISTRATION AND PROTOCOL

A)  Each clinic will accept 25 total players for any player in the league at the division level of the clinic. 21 of the 25 spots are first come first serve. The remaining 4 spots are for coaches and their daughters. Their daughter player will participate in the clinic and the parent coach will assist the clinic Director coaching at the clinic. Note—these remaining 4 spots are reserved for head or assistant coaches and their daughter(s). The 4 spots must be filled for the clinic to run smoothly. If there are more registrants than available spots, parents may add their daughter’s name(s) to a waitlist. Parents are welcome to register their daughter(s) for up to 3 clinics, but no more. Parents register their daughter for clinics directly on the league website.

B)  Each player should bring their own clearly marked basketball and clearly marked waterbottle.

C)  Parents are requested to drop their daughters off at the gym 5–15 min before the clinic start time. After drop off the parents are asked not to stay in the gym but to return for pick up at the end of the clinic.

D)  At the end of the clinic, the parents are asked to return to the gym for pick up.

E)   If for any reason a parent needs to cancel their daughter’s registration, the parent is asked to promptly contact the league using the form on the clinic registration website, so that the next player on the waitlist may be given an opportunity to register.

The WHGBL believes that athletics offers many positive benefits for students and does not wish to place any undue burdens on parents/guardians who cannot afford to pay the registration fee for their children.

To ensure that we help those who are in need, we have implemented the following processes.

Automatic Qualification

Students who have been approved for free or reduced-price meals through the West Hartford Public School system are immediately eligible for consideration to receive a full or partial waiver of our registration fees upon request. We simply ask that the parent/guardian provide the league with a copy of their free/reduced price lunch confirmation letter from West Hartford Public Schools. You should email the confirmation letter to president@whgbl.org.

All Others, Follow The Email Request Process

Students who are not eligible for free or reduced-price meals from the West Hartford Public School system may still apply for a waiver of athletic fees from the West Hartford Girls Basketball League. As part of the due diligence process to waive these fees, parents/guardians who have extenuating circumstances, cannot afford the fee, and would like to request a waiver should send an email to the President of the West Hartford Girls Basketball League at president@whgbl.org and should indicate one of the following reasons and provide a brief explanation for the board to consider:

· Unforeseen/excessive family medical expenses

· More than one student athlete participating in the West Hartford Girls Basketball League

· Recent loss of home and/or employment

· Death of one of the student's parents in the past calendar year

· Or they may provide another compelling reason not listed

All information provided is kept strictly confidential and is only shared with members of the West Hartford Girls Basketball Board of Directors for consideration of the athletic fee waiver.

Please also include if there is any amount of the registration fee that you would be able to pay.

Fee waivers will be provided based on eligibility and the ability for the WHGBL to cover the player’s registration fee.

The WHGBL is proud to announce the availability of two scholarships for our players and families. Whether you are a rising star on the court or a dedicated team player, we believe in providing equal opportunities for all. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to pursue your dreams - apply today and let us help you soar to continue on your path to success.

The Scholarship Committee of the WHGBL will consider multiple factors when choosing the recipient for the scholarship. The goal is to provide a scholarship to a player that will greatly benefit from the scholarship and has best demonstrated how the basketball camp or clinic will improve their skills.

1. Our University / College Scholarship

Our university and college scholarship program provides a $1,000 scholarship to a qualified candidate chosen by the Scholarship Committee of the WHGBL. To qualify a person must be:

• A current, enrolled high school senior at either a public, private or parochial high school in the Town of West Hartford.
• A student that has applied to, plans to apply to or has already been accepted to a college, university, or post-secondary trade school.
• A student that has previously been a player at any division within the WHGBL.

To be considered for the scholarship, two documents are required:

1. A fully completed and signed application – including a copy of your latest high school transcript (application may be downloaded from the league website)
2. A typed essay of 1,000 words or less that describes your time as a player in the WHGBL. The essay should focus on what the league meant to you as a player including how your experience has helped you in high school and how you expect it will help you in college.

Documents must be emailed to the league President no later than 11:59pm on February 27, 2026. The scholarship winner will be notified by the league before the Seniors Division Championship Game (currently schedule for Sunday, March 9, 2025). It is expected that the scholarship winner will be available and will attend the Championship Game to publicly receive their award. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Scholarship Committee of the WHGBL will consider multiple factors when choosing the recipient for the scholarship. The goal is to provide a scholarship to a student that will greatly benefit from the scholarship and has best demonstrated how their time in the WHGBL has helped them in high school and will help them in college.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - CLICK THIS LINK: UNIV SCHOLARSHIP

2. The Basketball Camp/Clinic Registration Fee Scholarship Program

The program provides a current WHGBL player with the opportunity to have a registration fee either partial or in full (up to $500) for any upcoming basketball clinic or camp they choose. The scholarship is available to any current player in the league in any division. The basketball clinic or camp must be held between March 12, 2026 and December 1, 2026. To be considered for the scholarship, the player is required to submit the following:

• An application for the scholarship (application can be downloaded from the league website)
• An essay of 500 words or less describing why the player wishes to participate in the camp/clinic, how they feel it will benefit them and what skill they feel the program will enhance.
• Any marketing materials or information about the basketball program that the player thinks would be helpful for the Scholarship Committee to be aware of as they consider the player’s application.

 Player parents may help their daughters (especially those with young players in the Minors Division) write the brief essay.

The completed documents must be emailed to the league President no later than 11:59pm on February 27, 2026. The scholarship winner will be notified by the league before the Seniors Division Championship Game (currently scheduled for Sunday, March 9, 2025). It is expected that the scholarship winner will be available and will attend the Championship Game to publicly be recognized for their award. The award will be paid directly to the clinic or camp when an invoice from the clinic or camp is received by the WHGBL.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - CLICK THIS LINK: CLINIC SCHOLARSHIP

The WHGBL follows the National Federation of High School Basketball Rules. However, there are certain addendums to these rules specific to each WHGBL Division. The league rules and the rule addendums can be found in the rules section of the league website.

To ensure the principles of sportsmanship and a positive playing environment for our players, coaches, officials and staff, it is important that all spectators adhere to this code of conduct.  By registering your daughter and by entering any playing facility for a West Hartford Girls Basketball League game, you agree to abide by the following rules:

1. Spectators are required to sit in and remain in designated stands provided by the league unless exiting the arena to use the building facilities.  There is absolutely no standing and watching games from areas other than the designated stands.  The league and its Facility Security Staff reserve the right to limit spectators based on the capacity of the stands.
2. To protect the floor of the court, spectators may not walk onto the playing floor at any time, including before, during and after games.  Spectators must never throw objects or materials onto the floor and must enter at the beginning of a game and exit at the conclusion of the game in an orderly manner.
3. Spectators must follow all building rules and regulations, always respecting the property of others.
4. There is no shooting at baskets by spectators at any time.  Only players during warm up and games may be on the court shooting.  Spectators should NEVER bring any basketballs into a gym.
5. Spectators must respect game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions or from addressing them in a disrespectful or abusive manner.
6. Spectators should cheer for their team in a positive, supportive manner, always refraining from making hostile, negative or abusive remarks (including profane language) about any player, coach, official or other spectator.
7. Spectators are required to adhere to all instructions from the Facility Security Staff and/or League Board Members and League Officials.
8. Spectators will not encourage any behaviors or practices that would endanger the health and wellbeing of other players, coaches, officials or other spectators.

Failure to follow this Spectator Code of Conduct could result in the removal of the spectator from the arena by league officials or local authorities.  In addition, such conduct could subject the spectator to disciplinary action by the West Hartford Girls Basketball League Disciplinary Committee.  Such disciplinary action could include but not be limited to suspension or outright ban of the spectator from entering the facility to view future games.

In addition, we also require a minimum of two adults present at every practice and girls are required to use restroom facilities in pairs at all practices.