KYBA Tykes >Entry Level

Entry level basketball programs for boys and girls aged 5-7 years old

KYBA offers a customized Tykes program for our youngest players, ages 5-7. The Tykes program consists of age appropriate activities and games with a focus on developing FUNdamental skills from the Canada Basketball Long Term Athlete Development Model. Players who have completed the Tykes program will have all the necessary knowledge and skills to participate successfully in the KYBA novice house league program. 

Players that are age 7, who have already completed a Tykes session, are eligible to register for our novice 
house league program.  Those 7 year old players new to sport or new to basketball may prefer to enrol in Tykes in order to ease the transition to our novice house league.

Details of KYBA Tykes Program

  • Program for girls and boys ages 5-7
  • Fall, Winter and Spring sessions of 10 weeks duration
  • One 1-hour session per week. 
  • Eligible birth years for our 2024-25 season will be 2017-2019
  • Choose your preferred session day/time during registration; only options with available spots will be presented for registration
  • Sessions run weekly at the same time/location unless a school is cancelled due to a school event, or schools are closed for holidays.  No sessions run on Thanksgiving weekend, during the 2 week school Christmas break, Family Day weekend, March break, Easter weekend, or Victoria day weekend.
  • New players will receive a basketball and a reversible jersey
  • Tykes program is led by KYBA trained and Canada Basketball certified coaches
  • Players born in 2017 (beginners), 2018, 2019 are eligible for Tykes in the 2024-25 season 
  • Registration fee for KYBA Tykes program is $150 for a 10 week session
  • Registration for Fall 2023 Tykes will open on June 26. 
  • Registration for Winter 2024 Tykes will open in October.  Spring Tykes registration will open in February 2025. 
  • Tykes registration is via your p referred session 
Fall Tykes

Sundays - Sept 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24
Session #1: 10:10am-11:10am
Session #2: 11:20am -12:20pm
Session #3: 12:30 - 1:30pm
Session #4: 1:40-2:40pm
Session #5: 2:50-3:50pm


Winter Tykes

Sundays - Dec 1, 8, 15, Jan 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9, 23, Mar 2
Session #1: 10:10am-11:10am
Session #2: 11:20am -12:20pm
Session #3: 12:30 - 1:30pm
Session #4: 1:40-2:40pm
Session #5: 2:50-3:50pm


Spring Tykes
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN FEB 3, 2025
Registration form
Sundays - Mar 23, 30; April 6, 13, 27; May 4, 11, 25; June 1 (*9 sessions ONLY for Spring, at reduced registration fee of $135)
Session #1: 10:10am-11:10am
Session #2: 11:20am -12:20pm
Session #3: 12:30 - 1:30pm
Session #4: 1:40-2:40pm

 

Looking for more information on our KYBA Tykes program - please contact our Administrator.  

Please note that we do not run Tykes in the Summer.  

Want to Register?

Registration form
*You will register for your preferred session.  Only sessions with availability will be presented during registration.  For sessions that are full, you will be presented with an option to register to the session waitlist.  Waitlist spots are offered in the order a player was registered to the list.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When and where will the Tykes practices take place?
Available session options to choose from will display during registration.  All Tykes sessions will take place in Kanata-area elementary schools.

Q: Can I choose my preferred session?
Yes, available options will display during registration.  If an option doesn't display, there are no longer spots available for that option.

Q: My child has already completed 1 or more 12 week Tykes programs, what should I register for?
These players, if still aged 5-7, can continue to enrol in our Tykes program.  Those aged 7 with some experience and confidence may choose to enrol in our novice house league instead.  In novice house league, players will be assigned to a team with a weekly 1 hour practice on a weeknight, along with a weekly game on Saturdays.  Our regular house league runs from October to April (sort outs may begin in September).  To learn more about our house league program, you can see our program page here.  If you remain unsure, feel free to contact us for further guidance.

Q: What specific skills will my child develop on a KYBA Tykes Basketball team?
The Tykes program consists of age appropriate activities and games with a focus on developing FUNdamental skills from the Canada Basketball Long Term Athlete Development Model. Players who have completed the Tykes program will have all the necessary knowledge and skills to participate successfully in the KYBA novice house league program. 
Long Term Athlete Development Information for Parents

Q: When can I register for the winter semester that runs from January to April?
Registration for the fall semester takes place during the summer.  Registration for the winter semester will open on November 15.  Registration for the Spring session will open in March.

Q: If my 7 year old son or daughter has basketball experience, can they register for the House League Novice Division?
During the 2024 fall registration period , boys and girls born in 2017 have the option to register for either Tykes - OR - KYBA House League Novice Division.  The KYBA House League program is a full year program that runs from October to April.

Q: If my son or daughter is 7 years old (going into Grade 2), how do I decide between an Entry Level Program (i.e. Jr. NBA & Tykes), OR, the KYBA House League Novice Division?
KYBA previously ran Novice Boys and Novice Girls House League Divisions that covered ages 7-9 (Grade 2 to Grade 4).  Our experience is that first-time players in Grade 2 struggle playing with Grade 4 kids.  With the expansion of Entry Level Programs to cover ages 5-7, the Novice Boys and Novice Girls divisions have been adjusted to cover age 8-9.  However, we also realize that some 7 year old players - with basketball experience - may want to and may be a better fit to play in the Novice level. Therefore, we offer the option for Grade 2 players (players born in 2017 for the 2024-25 season) to register for Novice House League.  During registration, players born in 2017 can chose either Tykes, or Novice House League.
(See the House League information pages for additional information on the KYBA House League program.)

Q. What does my son or daughter need to attend the Tykes program?
All your child requires at each practice is gym clothes and a pair of indoor court shoes.

Q. What if I still have questions?
If you need more information on theTykes program, or regarding registration - please contact our Administrator.