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 2022.

Registration for K1 session 2 winter 2023 basketball will open Monday, November 14.

Click HERE to create a family account and REGISTER for K1 Session 2.

Registration for the 2-8 grade winter season is closed.

To inquire about available space or put your player on the waitlist please email kristin.mallett@usc.salvationarmy.org.

COVID-19 2022

Update

Taking into consideration district 709, local and state recommendations and requirements, as well as, parent/coach survey responses, Rookie Basketball Association (RBA) leadership is currently discussing, researching, and planning programming.

All updates will be posted on the RBA website, Facebook Twitter, and Instagram, and emailed to all of last year’s participants.

For RBA Covid-19 policy, please refer to Minnesota Department of Heath guidelines:

MN Close Contact à https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/close.html

MN Sick with COVID à https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/sick.html

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this unprecedented time.

Winter League: Grades K-8

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 of fundamental development, one in November/December, the other in January/February. K1 sessions will be one evening a week for one hour. 2-8 grade will have one weekly evening practice and play their games on 10-12 Saturdays between November-mid-March. Registration will open for Session 2 of K1 programming, January/February, Monday, November 14.

Spring Basketball: Grades K-7

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 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 for Spring 2023 programming will open in February 2023.

Summer Clinics: Grades K-6

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 2023 summer clinics will open in May 2023.

Discounts & Scholarships

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 sumbit your complete scholarship application early as the approval process can take up to 2 weeks. Families with more than one child participating will receive a discount for each additional child. For any questions, call 218-576-6174.

Sponsors and Support

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:

Future Sponsors ($5,000+)

Northland Community Foundation

League Sponsors ($1,000+)

Young Athletes Foundation

Team Sponsors ($300 - $999)

Practice and Games

Practices for league sessions are held at the following locations:

The Salvation Army, 215 S. 27th Ave. W.
Congdon Elementary, 3116 E. Superior St.
Holy Rosary School, 2802 E. 4th 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.

All games are on Saturdays at either The Salvation Army, 215 S. 27th Ave. W., The Encounter, 201 E. 1st St., Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd St., or 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.

Coaches and Volunteers Needed

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 2022-2023 season will open on Thursday, September 8. 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 one time (view training)
Attend coaches meeting and training, date to be determined
Register as a volunteer coach, click HERE.

View the Coaches Guide official basketball signal chart. Our Rookie Basketball coaching resources may also be helpful.

2019-2020 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year

Larry Oleksa, pictured with his family

Larry Oleska

2018-2019 Dale Stocke Co-Coach of the Year

Julie Flotten, left, and Mia Thibodeau, right, with their team.

The coach of the 2018-2019 year, Julie Flotten, poses with her basketball team

2017-18 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year

Jill Doberstein, recipient, with members of her team.

The coach of the 2017-2018 year, Jill Doberstein, poses with her basketball team

2016-17 Dale Stocke Coach of the Year

Mayor Emily Larson, Steve Williams recipient, St. Scholastica Head Coach David Staniger

The coach of the 2016-2017 year, Steve Williams, poses with Mayor Emily Larsona and St. Scholastica David Staniger

Parent and Player Resources

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.

Photos and Video

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:

Videos: Testimonials & Season Highlights

Season Highlights

These are the highlights for the past winter seasons and our 2021 summer clinics. Watch to learn what our league is about and what a typical season is like.