Franklin Regional Athletic Association makes changes to in-house girls' hoops program

Registration for the Franklin Regional Athletic Association’s in-house girls’ basketball fall season ends Aug. 31.

Girls entering grades 1 to 6 in the Franklin Regional School District are eligible to participate. The association also offers travel programs for girls in grades 3 to 6.

“There will be some noticeable changes happening this season, which include a stronger focus in developing and building basketball skills via structured clinics and a better understanding of the game,” girls basketball vice president Vince Pampalone said.

In addition, the in-house season for teams in grades 3 to 6 will move to the fall, on Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning Sept. 9. The program will conclude before Thanksgiving.

“For those girls that register for the fall in-house programs, we will continue to offer skills clinics and practices providing an extended basketball season with continued focus on developing skills and strengthening fundamentals,” Pampalone said.

Girls going into first and second grades will remain in the winter season, on Saturdays beginning Dec. 7, and will no longer be co-ed.

Pampalone said the main reason for the changes was to provide additional gym time for girls in the upper grades.

“Some coordination needed to take place between (Murrysville Area Soccer Association) girls soccer as well as FRAA fall softball in order to make the move to the fall successful,” he added.

Travel team tryouts will be in early October, with practices by the end of October and games from December to early March. All girls must register for in-house basketball in order to be eligible for the travel team.

For more, see FRAAsports.org or email vpfraagirlsbasketball@gmail.com.