Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good
Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!
The Salvation Army Rookie Basketball Association is a developmental youth basketball league for girls and boys, grades k-8, in Duluth, Minnesota. Our focus is a holistic approach to training the body, mind (attitude), and heart (effort). Through a fun sports experience, foundational individual and team skills are developed to benefit youth in sports and in everyday life.
The league offers seasonal sessions, plus 3-on-3 player opportunities and clinics. For information on current league events view our most recent newsletter: Summer 2024.
Click HERE to register for Winter 2024-2025 basketball!
Registration will close at midnight on Friday, 10/11/2024. Email kristin.mallett@usc.salvationarmy.org for availability after that time.
Winter basketball is led by a team of volunteer coaches focusing on fundamental development of basketball and character skills. These skills include change of speed and direction, handling the ball, passing, shooting, teamwork, sportsmanship and team offense and defense. Families interested in applying for scholarships must do so BEFORE registering. K1 grades will have two separate 6 week sessions, one in November/December, the other in January/February.. K1 sessions will be one evening a week. 2-8 grade will have one weekly evening practice and play their games over 7-10 Saturdays between November-mid-March, depending on division. Registration for the 2024-2025 winter season is now open.
K1 GRADE SKILLS & SCRIMMAGE
Rookie Basketball Association Spring K1 Skills & Scrimmage is an exciting 4 week session focused on fundamental skills, learning teamwork, and to scrimmage play. Players will have the opportunity to get on the court and practice their basketball skills then put those to the test in a scrimmage. Two-thirds of the sessions will include focus on basic skills including running, jumping, change of speed and direction, handling the ball, shooting at the target. The final one-third players will be put on teams and scrimmage. All sessions are at The Salvation Army and facilitated by RBA staff.
2-7 GRADE 3 ON 3
Spring 3 on 3 will consist of staff led warm up followed by 3 on 3 play. Players should expect up to 3 games per session which are all at Lincoln Park Middle School. This league focuses on improving a youth player's fundamentals.
Scholarships are available and must be applied for and approved before registration.
Registration will open in February 2025.
We offer summer basketball clinics for boys and girls in grades K-6. These clinics focus on developing basketball fundamentals, as well as character qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork and excellence. Players will develop their individual and team skills through training activities, participating in individual contests, and playing in games. Families interested in applying for scholarships must do so BEFORE registering. Clinics are 9:00am-4:00pm. Lunch, snack, and t-shirt are included in registration fee.
Registration for 2025 Summer Clinics will open in April 2025.
Scholarships are available for qualifying families (download a scholarship application). PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the application, submit it with proof of income and assistance, AND BE APPROVED before registering your child. Player placement is on a first come, first serve basis. Please submit your complete scholarship application early as the approval process can take up to 2 weeks. Families with more than one child participating may qualify for a discount for each additional child. For any questions, call 218-576-6174.
A number of basketball standouts partner with the program and practice with the kids, including the Bulldog men’s and women's basketball teams from UMD.
We also have a number of local businesses who support the program:
League Sponsors ($1,000+)
Team Sponsors ($999 & under )
Winter league practices and games MAY be held at the following locations:
- The Salvation Army, 215 S. 27th Ave. W.
- Congdon Elementary, 3116 E. Superior St.
- The Encounter, 201 E 1st St.
- Homecroft Elementary, 4784 Howard Gnesen Road
- Lakewood Elementary, 5207 N Tischer Road
- Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd St.
- Lowell Elementary, 200 Rice Lake Rd.
- Laura MacArthur Elementary, 720 N. Central Ave.
- Lester Park Elementary, 5300 Glenwood St.
- Myers Wilkins Elementary, 1027 N. 8th Ave. E.
- Piedmont Elementary, 2827 Chambersburg Ave.
- Stowe Elementary, 715 101st Ave. W.
- Superior Middle School, 3625 Hammond Ave.
If Duluth Public Schools are closed due to a holiday or inclement weather, practices or games will be canceled.
Coaches send players home with drills and skill work to practice at home. View player skill guide.
The Rookie Basketball program relies on volunteers to coach teams for each winter season. The time commitment varies from one to three hours per week. If you volunteered for this role last year, you will need to register but you do not need to fill out a new application. Registration for volunteer coaches for the 2024-2025 season is now open. Thank you!
Each volunteer will need to complete the following:
- Online volunteer application and registration, including references. Click HERE to apply.
- Online background check, linked in the volunteer application
- Attend Salvation Army Safe From Harm training, good for four years
- Online concussion training, state-mandated and needed every 3 years (view training)
- Attend coaches meeting and training, date to be determined
- To register as a volunteer coach, click HERE.
View the Coaches Guide official basketball signal chart. Our Rookie Basketball coaching resources may also be helpful.
2023-2024 Matthew Duffy Coach of the Year
2022-2023 David Eastman Coach of the Year
2021-2022 Melody Maleski Coach of the Year
2019-2020 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year
Larry Oleksa, pictured with his family
2018-2019 Dale Stocke Co-Coach of the Year
Julie Flotten, left, and Mia Thibodeau, right, with their team.
© Lynnette’s Portrait Design 2019
2017-18 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year
Jill Doberstein, recipient, with members of her team.
2016-17 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year
Mayor Emily Larson, Steve Williams recipient, St. Scholastica Head Coach David Staniger
Rookie Basketball lessons take place both on and off the court, with each parent’s involvement being key to the development of their child. The Rookie Basketball program has developed a Parent Guide, as well as the RBA Code of Conduct to help ensure the league is a positive learning and growing experience.
Curious what you’re missing out on? Miss seeing your Rookie in action? Check out the action in our Photo Gallery and view footage from our games and most recent practices below:
Season Highlights
These are the highlights for the past winter seasons. Watch to learn what our league is about and what a typical season is like.
From the Mayor
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson congratulates players on a season well done and talks about her own children’s experience in the league.
Parent Testimonial
End of Season Message: Minnesota Viking C.J. Ham
End of Season Message: Anders & Bjorn Broman
For more information about the Rookie Basketball Association, please contact Kris Mallett at Kristin.mallett@usc.salvationarmy.org or 218-576-6174.
Thank You To Our Partners
