Purpose of This Playbook
The POSA Pines Basketball program is built and sustained through the work of volunteers and community leadership. Because leadership roles change from year to year, the procedures used to run the basketball season need to be clearly documented. This playbook exists so that future volunteers can step into leadership roles and continue the program successfully while preserving the values and traditions that make POSA basketball special.
This document explains how the basketball program is organized, who is responsible for each major area of operation, and how the season moves from registration through the final tournament. It is intended to be a practical guide for commissioners, board members, coaches, and volunteers who help make the season possible.
Program Philosophy
POSA Pines Basketball is built on the belief that youth sports should provide a positive and safe experience where children can learn skills, build confidence, and develop character. While competition is part of the game, the program places a stronger emphasis on sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, effort, and enjoyment of basketball.
Winning games is secondary to helping players grow as individuals and teammates. Everyone involved in the program — players, coaches, referees, parents, and volunteers — shares responsibility for creating an environment where kids feel supported, safe, and excited to play.
Program Structure
POSA basketball provides recreational basketball opportunities for youth in Newport and surrounding communities within Pend Oreille County. The program currently operates as a co-ed league across four grade divisions.
Current Divisions
- Kindergarten
- 1st and 2nd Grade
- 3rd and 4th Grade
- 5th and 6th Grade
Typical Team Size
Team numbers fluctuate from year to year based on registration. The Basketball Commissioner determines the final number of teams in each division after registration closes.
Typical roster size: 9–12 players per team.
Regional League Participation
POSA basketball operates as part of a small regional recreational league with neighboring communities. This provides teams with a wider variety of opponents and helps create a fuller season schedule.
Participating communities typically include:
- Cusick
- Priest River
- Selkirk
Before and during registration, the Basketball Commissioner communicates with these communities to confirm participation, estimate team counts, and coordinate scheduling. All participating communities agree to use the same rule set so that the game experience remains consistent regardless of location.
Leadership Roles
Running the basketball season requires coordination among several POSA leadership roles. Each role supports a different part of the program, and the season works best when these individuals collaborate closely.
POSA President
The POSA President oversees all POSA sports programming and works closely with the Basketball Commissioner to ensure that the basketball season aligns with the organization’s goals and operates effectively.
- Establishes the season calendar
- Confirms division structure and overall program format
- Provides oversight for basketball program operations
- Works with the Commissioner on program decisions
- Introduces leadership during Meet the Team Night
- Coordinates program budgets with the Treasurer and Board
- Maintains and updates this playbook
Vice President
The Vice President coordinates access to facilities and helps ensure that gyms provide a safe playing environment for practices, games, and tournament play.
Typical facilities include:
- Newport High School Gym
- Sadie Halstead Middle School Gym
- Sadie Halstead Middle School Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)
- Stratton Elementary School Gym
- Coordinates gym access with the school district
- Schedules facilities for practices and games
- Secures gym space for the end-of-season tournament
- Ensures facilities are safe for participants
- Oversees equipment safety at playing locations
- Speaks at Meet the Team Night about facilities and safety
Registrar
The Registrar manages the administrative side of the season through SportsEngine.
- Builds the basketball registration program in SportsEngine
- Opens and manages registration
- Monitors participation numbers
- Maintains player rosters
- Enters practice schedules into SportsEngine
- Enters game schedules into SportsEngine
- Supports team communication through the platform
Registration typically opens in November.
Basketball Commissioner
The Basketball Commissioner is responsible for the operational execution of the basketball season. This role ties together teams, schedules, coaches, referees, and volunteers.
- Communicates season dates to neighboring communities
- Confirms participation from Cusick, Priest River, and Selkirk
- Coordinates expected team counts by division
- Creates balanced rosters after registration closes
- Determines the number of teams in each division
- Builds practice schedules using available gym time
- Builds game schedules for the season
- Sends schedules to the Registrar for SportsEngine entry
- Hosts the Coaches Meeting
- Organizes Meet the Team Night
- Supports coaches and resolves operational concerns
Director of Officiating
The Director of Officiating manages the referee program and ensures that qualified referees are available throughout the season.
- Recruits referees
- Assigns referees to scheduled games
- Communicates referee assignments
- Ensures referees understand league rules
- Addresses officiating concerns during the season
Typical referee coverage:
- 1 referee for 1st and 2nd Grade games
- 2 referees for 3rd and 4th Grade games
- 2 referees for 5th and 6th Grade games
- Kindergarten games are typically managed by coaches
Before the season begins, the Director of Officiating estimates the number of referees needed and the projected cost of referee compensation. That estimate is reviewed with the Basketball Commissioner and POSA leadership as part of officiating budget planning.
Equipment Manager
The Equipment Manager maintains the basketball equipment inventory and ensures teams have what they need for practices and games.
- Maintains equipment inventory
- Identifies equipment that needs replacement
- Prepares equipment bags before the season
- Distributes equipment during the Coaches Meeting
- Collects equipment after the season
Typical equipment bags include:
- Basketballs
- Ball bag
- Pinnies
- Cones
- First aid kit
If new equipment is needed, the Equipment Manager informs the Basketball Commissioner so the request can be reviewed by POSA leadership.
Safety Officer
The Safety Officer helps ensure that the basketball program operates in accordance with POSA safety requirements.
- Ensures coaches complete required safety training
- Monitors safety practices throughout the season
- Manages injury reporting procedures
- Speaks during Meet the Team Night about safety expectations
The Registrar assists by ensuring that coaches complete required background checks and certifications.
Volunteer Roles
POSA basketball depends heavily on volunteers from participating families and the community. Many of the tasks required to run games and events are handled by parent and community volunteers.
Volunteer opportunities are typically offered during registration.
Team-Level Volunteers
Head Coach
- Leads practices
- Develops players
- Manages team volunteers
- Supports equal playing time
Assistant Coach
- Assists with practices
- Helps supervise players
Team Manager
- Supports communication with families
- Assists with team logistics
League-Level Volunteers
- Concessions: Operate concession stands during games
- Stats Keeper: Records game scores or statistics
- Game Day Setup/Cleanup: Prepares gyms and assists with cleanup
- Referee: Officiates games
- Meet the Team / Awards Volunteers: Assist with event setup and breakdown
Game Day Operations
Game days require coordination between coaches, referees, and volunteers to ensure that games run smoothly and remain on schedule. Teams should arrive early enough to allow players to warm up before their scheduled start time.
Because games are typically scheduled in one-hour blocks with fifteen minutes between games, volunteers should help transition efficiently between games.
Typical Game Day Support
- Gym setup before games
- Score or stats tracking
- Concessions support
- Facility cleanup after games
Game Day Staffing Model
Court Operations
- 1–2 referees
- 1 stats keeper
Facility Operations
- 1–2 concessions volunteers
- 1 setup/cleanup volunteer
Team Staff
- Head Coach
- Assistant Coach
- Team Manager
Parent and Spectator Expectations
Parents and spectators play an important role in creating a positive environment for youth sports. Everyone attending POSA basketball games is expected to support players in a respectful and encouraging way.
- Encourage players positively
- Respect coaches and referees
- Avoid negative comments directed at players or officials
Sideline Behavior
Spectators should remain in designated seating areas. Only players, coaches, and authorized personnel should be on the team sidelines.
Zero Tolerance Policy
POSA maintains a zero tolerance policy for abusive or unsportsmanlike behavior. Individuals displaying inappropriate conduct may be removed from the facility.
Season Timeline
Registration typically opens in November and closes approximately two weeks before Meet the Team Night.
Week 1 After Registration Closes
- Commissioner reviews registration numbers
- Teams are formed
Week 2 After Registration Closes
- Practice schedules are created
- Game schedules are created
- Registrar enters schedules into SportsEngine
Coaches Meeting
The preseason Coaches Meeting takes place shortly before Meet the Team Night and serves as the final preparation step before the season begins.
- Season expectations are reviewed
- Rules and sportsmanship expectations are discussed
- Safety procedures are reviewed
- Equipment bags are distributed to coaches
Meet the Team Night
Meet the Team Night serves as the official kickoff event for the basketball season. The event typically begins around 6:00 PM and lasts approximately one hour.
Typical event flow:
- POSA President welcomes families
- Basketball Commissioner explains the season structure
- Vice President discusses facilities and equipment safety
- Safety Officer reviews safety expectations
Coaches hold signs identifying their teams so players can find their group. At the end of the event, coaches bring their signs forward, players cheer for their favorite sign, and prizes are awarded.
Regular Season
The season begins with two weeks of practices. Games begin at the end of week two.
The regular season typically includes approximately six weeks of games, with most games played on Saturdays.
Games are scheduled in one-hour blocks with fifteen minutes between games.
End-of-Season Tournament
The season concludes with a two-day single elimination tournament held over a Saturday and Sunday.
Tournament seeding is determined by:
- Regular season win percentage
- Head-to-head tiebreaker
