FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BEFORE YOUR FIRST SESSION

  • Wear comfortable sportswear, such as shorts or joggers and a t-shirt, along with clean, non-marking indoor trainers.

    Please do not wear loose jewellery, watches, bracelets, necklaces or earrings. Players may be asked to remove items before taking part. Where stud earrings cannot be removed, they must be safely covered.

  • Players should bring:

    • A full water bottle

    • Suitable sports kit

    • Clean indoor trainers

    • Any medication they may need, such as an inhaler

    Players do not need to bring their own basketball.

  • No. The club has age-appropriate training and match balls available for sessions.

    Players may bring their own basketball for warm-ups or individual practice, provided it is the correct size for their age group and clearly named. Personal items are brought at the player’s own risk.

  • As a general guide:

    • Age 7-11: Size 5

    • Girls age 12+: Size 6

    • Boys age 12-14: Size 6

    • Boys age 14+: Size 7

    If you are unsure, please ask a coach before buying a ball.

  • For the first few sessions, any clean, non-marking sports shoe is fine, provided the laces are tied properly.

    Once a player decides to continue with basketball, basketball shoes with better support may be useful — but there is no need to buy expensive shoes before they have tried the sport.

  • Yes, older players may bring separate basketball shoes if they wish.

    Please keep personal items to a minimum and make sure any footwear worn in the hall is clean and non-marking. Personal items are brought and left at the player’s own risk.

BOOKING & ACCOUNTS

  • New GYBC players and PAYG players should book in advance through Coacha.

    New players can book one free first GYBC session. PAYG Development and Men’s players should then book each session each session individually before attending.

    Players paying monthly fees do not need to book their regular training sessions. The club will add them to the correct sessions in Coacha.

    Coastal Ballers sessions are booked separately through the Coastal Ballers website.

    If you are having difficulty booking a GYBC session, please do not worry. You can still come along and speak to a coach or volunteer when you arrive, but we will need to help you register and make sure the correct details are completed before the player can join in.

  • Visit our Book a Session page and choose the option that applies to you:

    1. Register a new Coacha account or log in to your existing account.

    2. Select an appropriate available session.

    3. Complete the booking online.

    New GYBC players can book one free first session.

    PAYG Development and suitable Men’s players should book each session before attending. Monthly team members do not need to book their regular training sessions.

  • Yes. New players, or their parent or carer, should register a new Coacha account before booking their first GYBC session.

    This ensures that the club has the correct contact, emergency and medical information before the player attends.

    Your first GYBC session is free.

  • This depends on your membership:

    • PAYG Development and Men’s players should log in and book each available session before attending.

    • Monthly Development and Performance team members do not need to book their regular training sessions. The club will add them to the correct sessions.

    • Coastal Ballers participants book separately through the Coastal Ballers website.

  • New and PAYG players should book in advance through Coacha wherever possible.

    If you are having difficulty registering or booking, please contact us before travelling. If you have already arrived, speak to a coach or volunteer. A new player cannot take part until the required contact, emergency and medical information has been completed.

  • If a PAYG session is shown as full, please do not attend without a confirmed booking. Session numbers are managed for safety and coaching quality.

    You may need to choose another available session or contact the club for advice.

    Monthly team members who have been added to their regular sessions do not need to make a separate booking.

  • Yes. Suitable GYBC Development and Men’s sessions can be booked individually through Coacha where PAYG places are available.

    Development players can attend suitable sessions on a PAYG basis if they want to train without joining a team or taking part in games.

    Players joining a Development or Performance Team and playing in fixtures pay through monthly membership.

  • Yes. PAYG players can use the Coacha mobile app to find and manage available session bookings.

    Monthly team members can use the app to view their regular sessions, read club notices and update personal information.

SESSIONS & PATHWAY

  • This depends on their age, school year, experience and what they want from basketball.

    As a general guide:

    • Aged 6–11 and new to basketball or not yet ready for team basketball: Coastal Ballers will usually be the best place to start.

    • School Year 4 or above and looking for club or team basketball: Begin with an appropriate GYBC Development session.

    • School Year 7 or above and new to the club: Come to a GYBC Development session first.

    • Interested in Performance, U18 or Men’s basketball: Start with GYBC and our coaches will help identify the most appropriate environment.

    Still unsure? Contact us and tell us the player’s age, school year and previous basketball experience.

  • Coastal Ballers provides fun, friendly PAYG basketball for children aged 6–11.

    It is particularly suitable for beginners, children building confidence and players who are not yet ready for team basketball. No previous experience is needed, and parents and carers are welcome to stay during sessions.

    Coastal Ballers has replaced the club’s previous ENergize-style introductory provision. Sessions are booked separately through the Coastal Ballers website.

  • Use the Contact Us page and tell us the player’s school year, basketball experience and what they are looking for. We’ll point you towards the most suitable session or pathway.

  • Yes, but the most suitable starting point depends on the player’s age.

    Children aged 6–11 who are new to basketball will usually begin with Coastal Ballers.

    Older beginners, players seeking club basketball and new players in School Year 7 or above will normally begin in an appropriate GYBC Development session.

    Performance Teams are selected environments and are not general beginner sessions.

  • Yes. New players can book one free first GYBC session before committing to regular attendance.

    Afterwards, suitable Development sessions can be attended on a PAYG basis. Players who join a team and take part in games move onto monthly membership.

    Coastal Ballers is a PAYG programme and is booked separately through the Coastal Ballers website.

  • Yes. Girls are welcome to attend all appropriate GYBC sessions, and we would love to see more girls playing basketball with us.

    Our junior sessions are currently mixed. We have previously trialled dedicated girls-only sessions, but there was not enough consistent take-up to make them sustainable. If numbers grow, we would absolutely look to run dedicated girls’ sessions and teams in the future.

    Girls can take part in our junior sessions and development pathway, including NYBL Development Teams where appropriate. Girls also regularly play in our U12 Performance Team, and we typically have girls involved at this age group each season.

    From U14 upwards, Basketball England National League competition is split into dedicated boys’ and girls’ divisions. Our current U14 and U16 National League teams are boys’ teams, so until we have enough girls to enter dedicated girls’ National League teams, older girls looking specifically for girls’ National League basketball may be signposted to a specialist girls’ club such as Norfolk Iceni in Norwich.

    This does not mean girls are being pushed away from GYBC — they are very welcome to train with us, develop with us, and be part of the club. We are actively looking at ways to grow girls’ basketball locally, so if girls’ basketball at GYBC is something that interests you, please do reach out to us.

  • Players aged 15+ may be able to attend Men’s Basketball sessions where appropriate, but this depends on ability, maturity and session suitability.

  • GYBC sessions normally run during the main school and college year.

    The club usually takes a break during the summer examination period, and there may occasionally be other changes because of fixtures, events or venue availability.

    Current members should check Coacha and club communications for the latest information. New players can view the Sessions page or contact us before attending.

  • Our coaches will help the player settle into the most appropriate environment based on their age, experience, confidence and stage of development.

    Some players continue attending Development sessions on a PAYG basis because they want to train without playing games.

    Players who want team basketball may be offered monthly Development Team membership. Players ready for a more demanding competitive environment may be considered for a Performance Team where a suitable place is available.

    Players can move between environments as they develop and as their needs or ambitions change.

JUNIOR TEAMS

  • No. Players do not need to be the finished article.

    We are looking for attitude, effort, coachability and a willingness to learn. Some players may be ready for a Performance Team, while others may be better suited to a Development Team.

  • Development basketball supports players who are learning, improving and building confidence. Players can attend suitable Development sessions on a PAYG basis or join a Development Team through monthly membership if they want to play games.

    Performance Teams are selected squads for players who are ready for regular training, competitive fixtures and a greater level of commitment.

    Performance places depend on player readiness, squad availability and coach assessment.

  • Where appropriate, we will discuss a suitable Development opportunity.

    This may involve attending Development sessions on a PAYG basis or joining a Development Team if the player wants to take part in games.

    Players can continue improving and may be considered for a Performance environment later if their readiness and squad circumstances change.

  • Yes. Missing the formal Junior Team Trials does not mean that a player cannot join the club.

    New players can book one free first GYBC session and our coaches will help identify the most appropriate starting point.

    Development opportunities can be discussed throughout the season. Performance Team places remain subject to squad availability, player readiness and coach assessment.

  • The formal trials for the 2026/27 season took place on Saturday 4 July 2026.

    Future trial dates will be published on the club website and social media when confirmed. New players do not need to wait for the next formal trials before getting in touch or attending a first session.

VENUE, PARENTS & SAFETY

  • All Great Yarmouth Basketball Club sessions are held at:

    East Norfolk Sixth Form College
    Church Lane
    Gorleston-on-Sea
    Great Yarmouth
    NR31 7BQ

    Coastal Ballers operates separate community hubs. Venue details are shown on the Coastal Ballers booking website.

  • Parking is available onsite to the rear of the college, accessed from the left side of the college on Church Lane.

    Head towards the far end of the rear car park, where you should see club signage near the sports hall entrance.

  • Parents and carers are welcome to stay and watch Coastal Ballers sessions.

    For GYBC junior Development and Performance training sessions, and Men’s team training, spectators are not normally permitted inside the Sports Hall.

    Sessions are often busy and use the full hall and all available baskets, which means there is limited safe space for spectators. Keeping the hall clear also helps players concentrate and allows coaches to run sessions without unnecessary distractions.

    Spectators may be permitted at some open-run sessions where space allows and at the discretion of the coaches.

    Parents, carers and supporters are welcome to attend games and fixtures.

  • Please make sure all medical information is included and kept up to date in Coacha.

    Players should also bring any medication they may need, such as an inhaler, to every session.

  • Please contact the club Welfare Officer, Tracey-Anne Williamson by using the Contact Us page and selecting Welfare or Safeguarding Concern in the Subject field.

    Welfare and safeguarding concerns are taken seriously and will be handled appropriately.

MEMBERSHIP, FEES & CLUB INFORMATION

  • Players involved in league fixtures will need Basketball England membership for insurance and competition eligibility.

    For regular session players, membership requirements may depend on the session type and level of involvement. Coaches or club administrators will confirm what is needed before a player joins a team or competition.

  • Session costs depend on the programme and type of participation.

    • Coastal Ballers is a PAYG programme, with the current price shown on its booking website.

    • GYBC PAYG Development and Men’s sessions are booked through Coacha, with the current price shown when booking.

    • Development and Performance team players pay monthly fees by Direct Debit when they join a team and take part in games.

    Full fee information is provided before a player commits to monthly membership.

  • Yes. GYBC is a Basketball England affiliated club and operates within recognised club structures, including coaching, safeguarding and competition requirements.

  • GYBC is a volunteer-led, non-profit community basketball club based at East Norfolk Sixth Form College.

    The club is run by its committee, coaches and volunteers, with support from members and families.

Still have a question? Send us your question using the field below, or visit our Contact Us page and we’ll point you in the right direction.