Governance

ABA Governance 101

The Alberta Basketball Association (ABA) is the governing body for the sport of basketball in Alberta.       

ABA is committed to providing a safe environment and fair competition for all of its members.  This policy provides guidelines and regulations for groups running events, programs  and tournaments helping to ensure a safe and fair environment.

This policy applies to all basketball related activities,  events and tournaments participated in, organized by and run by ABA and its members.  

Purpose of Governance

• Ensures a commitment by the event organizer that the event will be conducted in accordance with ABA guidelines
• Ensures that the event will be conducted in a fair and safe manner
• Encourages the recognition of results
• Ensures that the event meets a standard of quality required for sanctioning by ABA
• Provides insurance for participants’ safety for those activities sanctioned by ABA

MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING STATUS

To qualify for ‘Member in Good Standing’ status, all organizations must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the Organization Membership Agreement annually commencing with 2020/2021 season. The $100.00 fee can be paid online through our ABA Store.
   • Upon receipt of the Organization Membership Fee, ABA office will forward the agreement document for signature.

2. Ensure that all players, coaches and administrators within your organization have an active ABA membership and adhere to the ABA policies and best practices.
   • Membership fees for the 2020/2021 year are $17/player, coach or administrator.

3. Upon submission of forms and payment of fees, ABA will provide a Certificate of Insurance. If you require certain facilities to be named please advise ABA.
4. After completing all the previous steps, your organization will be given Member in Good Standing status. 

If you have any additional questions please contact the ABA Office.  

Please refer to the ABA Policies and Procedures 

Governance Q&A 

How does ABA’s Governance Policy affect me?

• Grass Roots and Club:

• Membership will be $17.00 per player, coach, team managers, Boards of Directors and any other relevant party affiliated with your team or organization.

• All participants must be members of ABA in order to be eligible for Member in Good Standing approval.

• An electronic membership card with a membership number will be provided for all ABA members.

What is ABA’s Membership Year?

• ABA’s fiscal and membership year has been changed to September 1 - August 31.

Do tournaments have to be sanctioned?

• Yes. All specific guidelines are provided in the Alberta Basketball Association Official Governance Policy document.

• There is a $100* sanctioning fee per tournament. There is NO additional cost per division.

   

Why is ABA introducing Governance?

• Alberta Basketball Association is the recognized governing body for the sport in Alberta by Sport Canada, Canada Basketball, the Province of Alberta and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. It is in our mandate to govern all aspects of the sport in our province.

• Basketball in Alberta is out of alignment with all other sports in our province. Hockey, soccer, volleyball, golf, tennis and baseball are examples of sports that have strict governance policies in force. Not having official sanctioning programs in place leave all participants unnecessarily vulnerable to insurance actions and not meeting baseline standards of best practices.

• The attached Governance Policy establishes and enforces proper and inclusive standards through effective governance to ensure all participants are protected and competing in safe environments with best practices in place.

What benefits does governance provide?

• Assurance that all on-court participants including players, coaches and officials, as well as all designated organization representatives, such as staff, board of directors, administrators and volunteers are covered with liability insurance protection.

• Access to ABA approved officials for all sanctioned games, tournaments, and events.

• The opportunity to be considered for funding opportunities with the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) including access to casinos, bingos, raffles, 50/50 draws, etc. The details are outlined in Section Number 3.22 of the AGLC’s Charitable Gaming Policies under the Eligibility for Specific Groups Section.  To be considered as an eligible group you must be a member in good standing with ABA as the only recognized provincial sports governing body in the province. This policy also includes groups with existing AGLC programs; to remain eligible you must be a member in good standing with ABA.

• Access to all ABA programs and values from sponsors.

• Membership card that guarantees you are able to participate in sanctioned leagues, events and tournaments.

If I’m not a member of Alberta Basketball can I still participate in the sport?

• All individuals participating in a sanctioned event (league or tournament) must be a member of Alberta Basketball.