Volunteers instrumental for success of AYBL
The Aroostook Youth Basketball League (AYBL) has kicked off its 2010-2011 season with the start of its fifth- and sixth-grade boys and girls’ season. Last year, AYBL had a record 48 teams from around the County serving approximately 442 boys and girls representing grades 3-8.
This is a long way from its inaugural season six years ago in which the league had only three communities – Caribou, Presque Isle and Fort Kent – participating. Last season featured teams from Fort Kent, Wisdom, Madawaska, Limestone, Fort Fairfield, Caribou, Washburn, Central Aroostook, Presque Isle, Easton, Houlton and Southern Aroostook.
The participation of the smaller communities was paramount to the continued success of the league as Class D schools are the majority of the demographic makeup of Aroostook County.
“Running true to our vision and mission statements has been the key,” said Michael Eaton, board member and former president of AYBL. Eaton went onto to say “our all-volunteer organization has bought into that shared goal and has done a lot of work to make this happen.”
AYBL’s vision and mission has been to serve as a type of ‘feeder program’ for the high school level basketball programs around the County. AYBL does this by providing a structure with ‘sustainable resources’ that can aid in the development of our youth in the game of basketball. The fact that AYBL is an all-volunteer organization shows there is a genuine commitment from community members around the County to serve in the growth of young players.
The league will shift into high gear with its’ fifth- and sixth-grade season now just under way. Parents or community members wishing to inquire additional information about becoming a volunteer or finding a team in your area can visit the website at www.ayblmaine.org.
AYBL is a non-profit organization.
