Splash Brothers and Zone 6 Ballers in the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. This year's league tips off on August 20, 2016 and ends on October 30, 2016. Photo: VINO/File

A section of the crowd during the 2015 Hon Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom. Photo: VINO/File

West Gunners are the defending champions of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: Provided

Chairwoman of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League, Mrs Kharid T. Fraser (right) said the League will be launched via a press conference in the coming weeks. Photo: VINO/File

Currently, registration for teams- both male and female- is ongoing and inquiries have been at an all-time high for both senior and junior divisions.

According to Mrs Kharid T. Fraser, Chairwoman of the League, teams usually wait until the last week or so to complete their registration so at this stage she is unable to say how many teams will be involved.

“We usually have around 12 to 15 teams, and while we try to keep the league to around 15 teams we have never had cause to turn any teams away,” Mrs Fraser told Virgin Islands News Online.

Mrs Fraser also confirmed that teams have begun to make inquiries about registration.

When are the games?

One of the highlights of the August 20, 2016 start of the League is the handing over of the Digicel (BVI) sponsored rings to the 2015 champion team West Gunners, along with their banner to join the others in the Save the Seed Energy Centre, the home of the League.

Games will be played from Friday to Sunday (weekends only) and when necessary on a Wednesday night. This year the draft will take place again where each team can pick up a local elite player to help bring more talent, excitement and competitive spirit to their team.

All draft players will go back in the pool except the draft player for the championship team, who will be allowed to remain with his 2015 championship team West Gunners until a new championship team is named. A date will be announced, along with names of the players participating in the draft by next month.

Launching of League

According to Mrs Kharid T. Fraser, Chairwoman of the League, in the coming weeks the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League will be launched via a Press Conference with the Founders/Directors, Leader of the Opposition and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA and Bishop John I. Cline, Senior Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church and Energy Centre founder, being the main speakers. Also expected to give brief remarks will be Guy L. Malone, the President of the BVI Basketball Federation.

Get your registration form

Meanwhile, the Senior Team Registration is $250.00 per team, ages 15 plus. The Junior League, which is 9 to 14, is $150.00. All Junior League players’ registration forms must be accompanied with copies of passport or other government issued identification to confirm ages, according to League Officials.

Registration forms can be collected from any of the League Committee Members; however, completed forms with payment must be turned into the Hon Julian Fraser’s Sea Cows Bay Office, which is opened Monday to Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM.

The office is located west of the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in the gray two-storey building. Registration deadline is June 30, 2016 by 6:00 PM.

Registration fees include uniform tops and insurance for those without NHI coverage. Persons needing more information on team registration and dropping off forms can call 1 284-546-2637 or 1-284-340-1550.

The League is governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, endorsed by the BVI Basketball Federation, and has its own by-laws and governing committee.