DIXON, CA (MPG) - It may seem a bit early to be thinking about the 2023 basketball season, but not for organizers who are creating the Dixon Youth Basketball [DYB] league and are busy looking for a few good community members who can help serve on their new Board of Directors.

After coaching for three years on the varsity level at Dixon High School, U.S. Air Force veteran Brian Jensen realized this year that there was a need to get youth started in developing their basketball skills sooner.

"We were teaching skills that they should have learned at a lower level but that makes sense because of COVID," Jensen said.

He tried to get a camp done through the city with little success and decided to just put it out there on social media to do a meet-up at the park.

"50 parents and 88 kids of all different age groups showed up," Jensen said. "I was happy that I wasn't the only one out there and then some of the parents got together and said they played basketball as kids or youth basketball in their towns. They wanted to make it a non-profit instead of a city-run thing, so we're doing that."

The organization is for kindergartners through eighth grade.

Jensen and his wife, Brenda, have grown sons and young grandchildren. The couple knew they wanted to give back to their community and basketball is a natural fit as Brian used to coach and referee when he got out of the military.

"I have respect for the sport," he said. "We are a new non-profit, starting with absolutely no assets, no basketballs, or equipment of any kind. We projected expenses and the largest at this time is the gym cost. To rent a facility like (the) John Knight Middle School gym from the City of Dixon can cost thousands. We are currently working on a MOU [memorandum of understanding] and we are optimistic that DYB can come to a similar agreement as the other youth sports.”

DYB are budgeting for 250 youth and their plan does include some help for families that cannot afford the $150 fee. They have also been creative enough to create ways for those children to help earn their fee through 50-50 raffles so that the child has "some skin in the game."

"I firmly believe we should help out those that we can, but they need to be invested in it as well," Brian said.

This investment applies to the parents as well who will be expected to provide eight hours of donated time over a three-month period.

"Our success is going to be based on not what the board wants but how much the parents want to support their kids," he said. "I know there are some parents that can't help out but if they cannot do that, they can pay $100."

In addition, they plan to use high school students who will be paid referees, or they can receive volunteer credit for graduation. They've also made plans for training coaches.

"I developed a curriculum for the coaches for each grade with the goal (of teaching them) if that coach is new and doesn't know what to teach the youth," Brian explained. "It's not about running up and down the court, it's about learning the basics, including balance and how to run without crossing your legs and understanding your role out there."

On June 30 at 5:30 p.m., there will be an online meet and greet with the Jensen’s, Secretary Alana Hamilton and Board Member James Robinson. They are especially in need of a social media savvy person but also a fundraiser/volunteer coordinator. The other two positions, game day representative and concessions coordinator, will not be filled until September or October, but applicants are welcome to apply now.

For more information, go to https://www.dixonyouthbasketball.com/. The DYB plan to open early registration for $130 on July 1 and later registration will be $150. For more information, email [email protected].