The mission of The Metropolitan Basketball League (Metroball) is to foster a positive, productive and safe social community through the use of sports and team dynamics.
MBL executes its’ mission through a number of programs and initiatives including sport leagues, skill camps, and Amateur Athletic Teams (AAU).
The Metropolitan Basketball League (aka Metroball, a 501c3 non-profit organization) has been a very positive force in the lives of over 500 youths each year in Washington D.C. for the past decade. During the school year, we operate a positive After School Basketball Skills Camp/Fitness program at six middle schools in the District. In addition, we coach our youth Amateur Athletic Union Basketball Teams (AAU) and travel with them to compete in various tournaments. As always, the highlight of our program is our very own annual New York Ave. Summer Basketball Tournament to reduce violence. This eventch runs from the middle of June through the middle of August each year. We coordinate over 30 teams with youth ranging in age from 7-18 and adults.
From the experience, it has been proven that the more organized an event is, the more likely it is to be very successful. Consistent funding and competent personnel can achieve a higher level of success. Each tournament consists of a Tournament Commissioner who is directly responsible for the operations of their respective tournament.
The League Office is responsible for but not limited to:
- Funding for all Tournaments(Personnel, Supplies, Uniforms, etc…)
- Health & Liability Insurance for all Tournaments
- Scheduling of games
- Creation and enforcement of Rules, and Penalties for Violations
- Advertisement and promotion of the league
- Programs, Speakers, Skills camps, and other Activities
We have also assisted in organizing other area tournaments including, the Dexter Morton Tournament (Fort Stanton, SE) and the Goodman League (Barry Farms, SE). With these 3 tournaments, there are over 800 participants (Players and Coaches) and several hundred spectators. By engaging in a safe and athletic activity during the summer months, the leagues was able to curb the violence in those areas of Washington D.C during the summer months.
Over the past twelve years in the North Capitol Region, the reduction in violent crimes during the summer has been directly related to the New York Ave Basketball Tournament. In the year before the tournament existed (1999), there was a high volume of tension among several neighborhoods surrounding the New York Ave. Playground. Since the existence of the tournament, each of these neighborhoods have entered several teams into the tournament and have learned to work together to significantly decrease the violence. In 2004, The MBL collaborated with The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to provide security for each game played during the summer months at each location. We are pleased to report that there were no major incidents at any of the tournaments during the summer months.
Goals & Objectives
Ultimately, we would like these tournaments to be sanctioned by the NBA & NCAA, allowing all participants to display their talents before coaches of all leagues.
We provide updates, stats, and tournament information on the Official League website. Tournament participants are able to check their individual and overall team/tournament performances. They can interact with each other on the discussion boards and read recaps of each game. This was implemented in 2003 and became very popular among tournament participants and spectators.
From the Tournaments, we have organized an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Team. Each year, we select several tournament participants to participate in national and local tournaments, allowing them to display their athletic capabilities before college coaches. In the past, we have had a huge success rate of helping kids to be recruited by Colleges, Universities, and Junior Colleges. Participation on the AAU team affords the athletes with a dynamic experience. Aside from playing before college coaches and scouts, team members are able to travel outside of their immediate geographical area. Often, playing in these tournaments are the first opportunities for the youth to leave home. Additional funding will enable us to create more teams, purchase necessary materials, and waive entry fees and travel expenses.
Because of the vital role of education and guidance in the athlete’s overall success, we intend to incorporate a Tutoring Initiative. We hope to offer subject reinforcement to program participants experiencing difficulty in a particular subject area.
The Mentoring component of the initiative is intended to provide participants with life, social and career guidance. As many participants are lacking positive male and/or female role models, this component is necessary for continued success.
Concisely, MBL prides itself with making a difference in the lives of youth and adults. Through participation in activities, they are given a healthy, safe, athletic/social alternative to destructive behavior. With the urban blight of drugs, crime, adverse socio-economic conditions, lack of quality education and broken families, our efforts are crucial to the development of a functional community. We hope to continue to contribute to the success and productive lifestyles of many inner city residents.
