FAQS

  • Out West is the oldest all-girls basketball club in Calgary. We believe those female athletes deserve the opportunity to develop their skills in an environment where they don't have to compete with male athletes for access to high-quality coaching and other necessary resources.

  • We believe that basketball is a way to build self-esteem and life skills for young women. The discipline that comes from working hard and participating in a team offers opportunities to learn how to manage time, relationships and to become more resilient in the face of challenges. We sei high expectations for athlete behaviour believing that it is important to represent our club and our city in a way that demonstrates respect and good citizenship.

  • While Out West does not require proof of vaccination from our athletes, many of the facilities that will be used for tournaments and games do require athletes to provide proof of vaccination. These facilities follow provincial public health orders and municipal bylaws.

  • Typically we run one team per age group (U11, U13, U15, U18) but could expand to two teams depending on registration numbers.

  • Our main Spring Season runs from April through June and we also run a Fall Development Camp in September and October. Depending on interest there may also be a Fall team that would play ahead of the regular school season.

  • We run a Fall Development program each year and that is an opportunity to develop skills and play during those sessions.

  • Each team takes 12-13 players depending on registration numbers and skill.

  • Typically fees are in the range of $750-$1000 (less for U11) and are an all-in cost for the season including items like practices, coaches, tournaments. Out West is a not-for-profit organization that leverages casino funding to keep fees as reasonable as possible. Note that if private gyms are the only option, then the fees will increase slightly.

  • Roughly every 1.5-2 years Out West will provide volunteers to work a casino. By doing this, we are able to keep fees lower through the proceeds generated by working the casino. It is an expectation that each athlete’s family will provide a volunteer and a deposit (that is cashed) and collected at the beginning of the season. Once the casino is worked, the deposit is refunded.

  • 2-3 training sessions per week (including all teams training one night a week). The season also includes 4-5 tournament weekends with some being out of town (restriction dependant). Out West also hosts a tournament each year and families with athletes participating are required to volunteer.

  • Out West is a non-profit organization operating under the Alberta Society's Act. It is managed by a volunteer board whose members hire coaches, allocate funds to teams, manage the administrative tasks and develop a policy for the club. The board is comprised of parents of current and former Out West players.

  • Once payment has been received, refunds will be issued on a case-by-case basis. General guidelines considered:

    If Out West is forced to cancel any part of the season due to Provincial or Municipal restrictions, the amount refunded will be on a prorated basis considering how much of the season was missed.

    If an athlete gets injured and can no longer participate in the remainder of the season, documentation of the injury will be required and the amount refunded will be on a prorated basis minus an administration fee.

    In general, once the season has started, no refunds will be issued.