The Weare Athletic Club is a non-profit organization that organizes a winter Basketball season for children in Grades 1-8. We do not organize the Weare Middle School teams. See the About The WAC page for information about the club and how you can help.
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Practices for grades 3-8 start practicing in mid-November, and games start in December. Grade 1-2 teams will begin practicing in December and start games in January.
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What are the different age levels?
Grade 1-2: The grade 1-2 program is the only coed grade level. The teams play games 'in-house' against other WAC teams. Teams use Youth size balls (27.5 inches), baskets are lowered to 8 feet, and no full-court defense is allowed. Teams practice and play games on Saturdays. All players receive equal playing time. Games are not scored.
Grade 3-4: Grade 3-4 teams play the Merrimack Basketball League, and are split into separate boys and girls teams. They travel to other nearby towns. (Teams are not split into "A" and "B" leagues at this age level). Teams use Youth size balls (27.5 inches), the baskets are lowered to 9 feet, and rules regarding full-court defense are modified. Teams generally practice once a week, with games on Saturdays. All players receive equal playing time. Games are scored.
Grade 5-6 and 7-8: Merrimack Basketball League teams travel to other towns, and there are no restrictions on half-court defense. Teams use full-sized balls (28.5 inches for girls, 29.5 inches for boys). Teams generally practice once or twice a week, with games on Saturdays. Players on B division teams receive equal playing time, but this is not the case for A divisions teams. Games are scored.
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The Weare Athletic Club is primarily a recreational organization, and every player who signs up is placed on a team. We do, however, use evaluations to ensure that our teams are evenly matched, and to select an A division team if the club decides to enter one.
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All players in the grades 1-4 programs and and 5-8 Merrimack league B Division teams receive equal playing time. However, players on the grade 5-8 A Division teams are not subject to equal playing time rules.
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