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NORWALK, Conn. A new travel basketball group for Norwalk boys will tip off this winter in the Fairfield County Basketball League. Teams for grades 5-8 will be formed later this month and begin play in early December.
The new Norwalk Youth Basketball Association has enlisted Norwalk High basketball coach Tom Keyes and Brien McMahons Mo Tomlin to serve on its board of directors as it seeks to build a strong foundation for the young players.
We are fortunate in Fairfield County to have a tremendously well-run travel basketball league, said Matt McQuillen, commissioner of the new association. Our goal is to build a first-class travel program that will give Norwalk boys the same opportunity to play basketball that exists in our neighboring towns.
Some players got a taste of travel competition last winter when two teams from the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Biddy Basketball program participated in the FCBL. Over the summer, five Norwalk teams competed in a travel league run by the FCBL. Theres a big thirst for basketball in Norwalk and the new group helps meet that demand.
We have over 600 boys in our Biddy program in grades K-8 and many of them want to spend more time playing basketball against the best players in Fairfield County, said Jean Trimboli, director of Norwalk Recreation and Parks Biddy basketball program. The NYBA will give those boys that opportunity.
The new league will focus on more than basketball. It will also provide academic support for the players and emphasize sportsmanship and teamwork as it prepares the players for high school competition.
The youth are our future, not just in basketball but in life, said McMahons Tomlin. Any way I can help them to grow, Im all in. It is greatly needed. They are the future leaders of this city.
Keyes, who will begin his first year at Norwalk, took the job with the understanding he would help develop players at the younger levels. Im happy to do whatever I can to help these guys succeed, Keyes said.
Roton School assistant principal James Crouch will serve as the groups academic advisor. Darrick Eason, the freshman coach at Norwalk High, will serve as the director of community relations. Jeff Iannazzo, who heads the Norwalk girls travel program, will serve on the groups board of directors as the liaison with the public schools. Iannazzo is a teacher at Ponus Middle School. All board members are volunteers.
Its been really exciting to be involved in this program from the start, said Trimboli, who will serve as director of 0perations for the NYBA. Were basically taking the next step in creating more basketball powerhouses and basketball history for the city of Norwalk.
The group also has the support of the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Department and director Mike Mocciae. Without their support, the boys would not have had this opportunity, McQuillen said.
Tryouts for boys in fifth and sixth grade will be held Oct. 19 and 26 at West Rocks Middle School from 6:30-8 p.m. Registration begins at 6 p.m. For boys in seventh and eighth grade, tryouts will be Oct. 21 and Oct. 26 at Roton Middle School from 6:15-8 p.m. Registration begins at 6 p.m. Informational flyers will be distributed at tryouts. The league is also seeking coaches and parents to help manage the teams. For more information, email mattmcq@optonline.net. To donate money to help support the program, email stephen.irish@gmail.com.
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