A Response to Mr. Wolf's Article on Youth Basketball Policy

Menlo Park Community Services staff would like to offer this perspective on by Kevin Wolf regarding the change to the City’s policy on boys and girls youth (grades 3-7) basketball.

First – some clarifications:

Last Fall, when the Lindblom family to the City’s existing policy of separating boys and girls onto separate teams, the annual draft that placed children on various teams was only weeks away. City staff took a quick poll of school coordinators that revealed many concerns about how a change in the policy to allow girls to play on boys teams might be seen by parents, coaches and schools.

Based on those results that clearly indicated a split in the community on this issue, we recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission NOT make an exception for last season but implement a broad (and so, time consuming) community engagement process to determine if there was community support to change the policy.

Following last winter’s league, staff researched possible alternatives to the current separation policy (we didn’t find any – most communities separate by gender and only allow girls to play on boys teams when there is no girls league or provide a coed league). The community input process on the possible new policy began with an initial round of focus groups in May with the following results:

1. How does the proposed draft policy (allowing girls to “opt-in” to a boys team) support the goals and values of youth sports in Menlo Park?

• Girls opting in does not support the recreational and developmental part of the league philosophy, as they are seeking a more competitive environment
  
  
•  Inclusion is a value in Menlo Park and the team sports here are not just about sporting, but about how we interact in a social setting. The policy supports the values as it allows girls to play in more competitive surrounding and a choice of different game styles.

2. How does the proposed draft policy interfere with achievement of the goals and values of youth sports?

• Schools are not consistent in how they chose the kids on teams. Some schools stack teams which interfere with the values.
• The draft and team-making process is challenging, however, opt-in does not impact the youth sports goals and values. Girls would be ranked as other players and that would not complicate the process.

3. What changes could be made to the policy to improve the achievement of the goals and values?

• Limiting the number of players makes a competition and is against our philosophy.
• The policy is well written; even taking out the clause “up to 2” is acceptable as long as it is an inclusive league.
• Create all-girls, all-boys and co-ed leagues. Co-ed is an inclusive league.

4. What barriers might exist to implementation of the policy as proposed?

• The League would become competitive, not recreational.
• Logistics of drafting girls based on girls’ team requirements and then evaluating them based on boys’ requirements

5. What could be done to overcome those barriers?

•  Create a co-ed league. Run all-boys, all-girls and a co-ed league

6. Any other thoughts about the community process scheduled for the fall for review and input on this policy?

• Before the policy is introduced to the community, question whether the community is in favor of girls playing on boys teams.
• Include all stakeholders.
• Obtain input on boys playing on girls’ teams.
• Get input on how to keep the leagues recreational and non-competitive.

Given these results, the Commission decided there was not clear community consensus on this issue and that there was a need to continue with the community engagement process as planned. SO, in order to ensure maximum participation, once school was back in session a web survey was sent to all league coordinators with a request that they distribute the link to all parents and other interested parties connected with their school’s league.

A seven question survey was available from August 22 to September 14. One hundred twenty people responded, including coaches, coordinators, parents and participants. The results of the survey input generally show equal support for adopting the new policy (but also including boys) and for keeping the existing policy.

The survey results, including over 200 comments, can be accessed through this link.

A final community meeting was held on September 14th. The comments at the meeting reflected similar views as those expressed at the previous focus group meeting. There was support in favor of the proposed opt-in policy and support for the current policy.

Concerns with the proposed policy are consistent with the previous meeting and results from the survey:

1) There will be logistics issues at the school level with placing girls on boys teams (i.e. ranking girls, the draft process, balance of the team);

2) the potential effects of boys changing the way they play when there are girls on the boys team or concern the girls would be injured due to the more physical nature of play;

3) the potential talent drain of girls leaving to play on the boys league; and

4) preserving the choice for the boys to play on or against an all boy team. There was general agreement to allow boys to also opt-in if girls are allowed to opt-in.

Despite this polarity of input, where people in the community are clearly divided on whether or not to change the current gender based approach, the Commission decided at their September 21 meeting to change to a policy allowing girls to play on boys teams and boys to play on girls teams (contrary to Mr. Wolf’s comments that the Commission “wouldn’t have changed its mind unless the results heavily favored a change”) .

The new policy says:

The City of Menlo Park Youth Basketball League allows females to opt-in to a boys’ team and males to opt-in to a girls’ team for all grade levels if that school’s coordinator and the coach agree. School coordinators must use the roster form and complete the Opt-In section and continue to ensure balanced teams across the league with rosters that promote the recreational, inclusive and fun values of the program. Girls and boys may still play up a grade level if they choose and their skill level is appropriate.

We hope that understands that, although many people agree with him on this question, just as many people are strongly opposed to “co-ed” teams when there are equal opportunities for girls and boys already existing. The Parks and Recreation Commissioners, who take their responsibility to represent the larger community, and despite their personal opinions on issues, took the time needed to get adequate community input before making an informed decision.

This decision, although it seemed lengthy and bureaucratic to Mr. Wolf, needed to ensure that there was opportunity for all voices in this debate to be heard and considered.


Cherise Brandell
Community Services Director
City of Menlo Park