History
The North Central Blaze is a non-profit youth sports basketball
organization. The club is a member of the Amateur Athletic Union
of the U.S.A. Inc. (AAU). North Central Blaze is recognized as
tax-exempt under the Amateur Athletic Union of the U.S. Inc.'s
group 501(c)3 determination ruling. Our club currently serves
female and male athletes in age divisions from 9-and-under through
Junior Divisions (16U) in all communities throughout Central
and Eastern Massachusetts as well as Southern New Hampshire.
Founded in the early 1990s with just two teams and 24 players,
the Blaze will be entering its 18th year in Spring 2011 with
an expected enrollment of roughly 250 players.
In 2010, the Blaze supported 14 girls teams and 7 boys teams
with players representing over 35 communities including Acton,
Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Barre, Bolton, Boxboro, Dunstable,
Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Holden, Hubbardston, Lancaster,
Leominster, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlboro, Pepperell,
Rutland, Sterling, Still River, Townsend, Wellesley, West Boylston,
Westford, Westminster, and Winchendon, among others.
The Blaze has had a great deal of team success recently, including
more than a dozen top-8 finishes or better in the Mass. State
AAU Championships since 2003, and other accomplishments at the
Bay State Games.
Mission
To provide the highest quality of basketball instruction in a
supportive and enjoyable program to area athletes who wish to
compete, at an affordable cost. Teams will compete at the local,
regional and national level based on their ability, commitment
and desire.
Eligibility
Any player who resides in any of the states within the New England
AAU region is eligible to participate with the Blaze. This can
include ANY player from Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New
Hampshire or Vermont.
Eligibility for boys or girls in Spring 2010 is determined by
a player's age as of January 1, 2010 and their grade in school.
Follow the links for specific information:
For GIRLS: http://www.neaau.org/girlsbasketball.aspx
For BOYS: http://www.aauboysbasketball.org
Tryouts
Players wishing to play for a Blaze team must go through an evaluation/tryout
as determined by the coach(es) at their age level. Tryouts are
held annually sometime in January. Please visit our website in
late December and January for details on tryout dates and locations.
The Season
The AAU season runs from roughly mid-March through June or July.
Most Blaze teams will not begin practice before the winter recreational,
travel or high school season is concluded.
Some Blaze teams may choose to convene the same year for a fall
season of practices and tournaments, depending on the wishes
of the team and/or coaches.
AAU Tournaments typically occur on weekends in a two-games per
day format (2 games Saturday, 2 games Sunday). Most Blaze teams
participate in tournaments within an hour's drive of the Townsend/Groton
area. Some teams may choose to travel farther distances for more
prestigious or more competitive tournaments.
Cost
The North Central Blaze prides itself on being one of the most
affordable AAU girls basketball programs in all of New England.
The total cost is determined on a team-by-team basis, depending
on the number of tournaments each team attends. In Spring 2010,
total costs ranged from $375 per player to about $525.
That cost includes a brand-new, pro-quality uniform, an organizational
fee and tournament participation. Additional costs may be incurred
for teams choosing to attend more prestigious tournaments out-of-state.
Lodging, gas, food and other incidentals incurred on an overnight
trip are NOT covered. There will also be a tryout fee, along
with annual dues for player registration with national AAU (currently
$14 with added benefits).
Additional costs are also incurred for teams playing in the fall.
Practices
Players are expected to commit to attend practice on a regular
basis and help to contribute to the team's development as well
as their own. Most teams practice once or twice per week at a
location determined by the Blaze and/or the coach prior to the
start of the season. Practices sites are located throughout the
region, including Leominster, Fitchburg, Townsend, Pepperell,
Shirley, Groton and Harvard, among others.
Coaching staff
Our head coaches are chosen based on their level of experience,
commitment to excellence, and passion for the game of basketball.
All coaches have several years of experience at the high-school
varsity, JV or middle-school/travel-team level. Coaching opportunities
are available. Please contact Mike Davidson (girls) or Peter
Patno (boys). See contact information below.
Playing Time
Playing time on a Blaze team is typically determined by the head
coach. There are no set guidelines regarding a minimum amount
of playing time for each player in any given tournament, however,
our coaches are chosen based on their track record of being fair
and honest to all players on their teams.
Parents Responsibility
All parents and players are needed and expected to provide assistance
at tournaments hosted by the Blaze. Our organization hosts annual
spring tournaments typically in April and June. Parents are needed
to run scoreboards, run concessions, oversee gyms, and other
such matters.
Our tournaments are vital to the successful operation of the
Blaze program. Revenues generated at tournaments help keep our
player fees low and allow us to offset the cost of equipment,
uniforms and facilities for our players.
Sponsorship
If you would like to join the Blaze family as an individual or
corporate sponsor, please contact Mike Davidson (see contact
info. below).
Contacts
For more information about the Blaze or to inquire about tryouts,
coaching opportunities or individual and corporate sponsorships,
please contact any of the individuals listed below.
Club president/Girls Director: Mike Davidson, email: miked0109@verizon.net,
telephone: 978-257-5887
Vice president/Boys Director: Peter Patno, ppatno@jmcoull.com
Board of Directors:
Mark Roy
Kevin O'Connell
Steve Snow
Joe Bibbo
Peter Page
John Megan
Rick Gibbons
Rick Beauregard |
