Travel basketball is a more competitive program and requires a much greater commitment from both the players and the parents.  Practices will take place in the evenings usually two times per week with tournaments being played about every other weekend.

Travel basketball is not an “equal playing time” program like the In-House program. Equitable play is encouraged in 4th and 5th grade travel teams. In 6th grade and above, coaches are encouraged to make sure all girls play a minimum of 25% of a given tournament. Coaches are also encouraged to put the most competitive team on the floor; however, there are many factors that can influence a girl’s playing time. In addition to skill level, they will include: attitude, effort, practice attendance, sportsmanship (player and parent), competitiveness of the game and teamwork.

Additional Costs

The majority of the tournaments will be within the metro area, with the exception of one overnight tournament.  In addition to the travel fee that covers the tournament registration fees and gym use, there are other financial considerations such as admission fees for spectators, uniform purchase if required, travel to and from tournaments, meals and concessions to take into account.  Travel registration fees increased last year.  Many if not all of the tournaments we participate in raised their tournament fees to eliminate spectator gate fees. The tournament ERGYB hosts in January will follow this model as well.

Required Volunteer Hours

Parents of all travel players are expected to volunteer time during the tournaments that we host. 

In order to fulfill the necessary slots for our locations, each family is expected to volunteer a total of 6-9 hours per player with a family maximum of 12 hours.

These hours are divided into 3-hour shifts. For families with more than one player in our program one additional 3 hour shift is required.

Only head-coaches and one assistant coach are exempt from completing volunteer hours; a  volunteer check will be collected at try-outs from all non-head coaches.  ERGYB will hold this check until the volunteer shifts are completed, and the check will be returned or destroyed. 

More information will come out in November regarding signing up for your volunteer hours.

Teams

Team size will range from 8-10 players depending on the number of girls trying out and skill level.  The number of teams will be dictated by the number of participants and skill levels. All girls who are interested in playing travel basketball must attend the tryout session for your grade level.

Evaluations

Tryouts will consist of a series of drills and game type situations that are conducted by independent evaluators. Board members or parents will not be considered as evaluators. Tryouts will also be “closed” to everyone except the players, evaluators, head coach candidates and Travel Director. Please note that players who attend tryouts may not make a Travel team.

Girls not making a travel team will have their registration fees refunded.  They would be able to play house league in Elk River (for 4th grade) or in the Rogers house league (for grades 5-8).

Teams will be selected immediately following tryouts and posted on this website within a day or two with the season officially starting in October.

Coaches

Volunteer coaches are needed in order for Travel to be a success!

Travel coaches must register online to collect information needed to issue gym permits and run mandatory background screenings. Head coaches must also submit to an interview during the August board meeting.

Refund Policy

Travel registrants not placed on a team (cuts) will receive 100% refund of fees paid. 

Travel registrants NOT attending tryouts will receive 75% refund of fees paid and will not be placed on a team.

See the updated handbook for additional refund policies.

ERGYB travel teams will be going to Rochester to participate in the Early Bird Classic presented by: SCHEELS tournament. Most games will be played at the Rochester Community & Technical College, or the National Volleyball Center.

Book your stay in advance using the links below and take advantage of the discounted nightly rates.

Dates: November 21-23, 2025

Grades 4-5 

Hotel Information:

AmericInn by Wyndham Rochester Near Mayo Clinic

Address: 1625 Broadway Ave S, Rochester, MN 55904, United States

Phone Number:  507-281-2211

Link for Group Rate (for 4th and 5th graders):

 http://www.wyndhamhotels.com/hotels/47206?checkInDate=11/21/2025&checkOutDate=11/23/2025&groupCode=112125EBB

Grades 6, 7, 8

Hotel information: 

Sleep Inn & Suites West - Near Medical Center

Address: 2109 Commerce Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Phone: (507) 405-2297 

Link for Group Rate (for 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders):

https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/UG35D9

Due to an error with the hotel, the link is no longer valid. You may still book rooms by contacting the General Manager of the hotel directly either via email or phone.

Michael Boggs

Gm.MN180@MNsleepinn.com

(507) 405-2297  and ask for Micheal

Registration is now OPEN for all grades!
Player Registration Form

Coach Registration due by Aug. 1st.
Coach Registration Form
 

Coach Interviews
 August 10, 2025 at ER Golf Course
After you have registered, you will be sent details to submit background checks and complete concussion training.

Coach meeting, practice time selection & equipment distribution

October 5, 2025 at VandenBerge Middle School, 6-7:30pm.
Must register as a coach prior to this meeting.

Early Bird Ends
August 21

Evaluations

• 4th Grade - August 21
• 5th Grade - September 9
• 6th Grade - September 16
• 7th Grade - September 11
• 8th Grade - September 18

Located at Vandenberge Middle School. Check-in begins at 5:30. Tryouts begin at 6:00. Parent meeting at 7:45.
Player registration closes the day of evaluations.

Practice Starts
October

Season Begins
October

Team Photos
TBD

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Partial Travel Season Option for 3rd and 4th Graders.

This is after the in-house season. Teams will play 4-5 tournaments.

3rd/4th Grade Early Bird Ends (for season after in-house)
Oct. 31st

3rd/4th Grade Evaluations after In-house season.
Player registration closes the day of evaluations.
Coach registration  due by Nov. 7th

3rd/4th Grade Coach Interviews after In-house season.

Interviews to be held at Broadway Pizza in Elk River on Nov. 9th.

Times TBD

3rd/4th Grade Tryouts for Partial Travel Season after In-house

November 16th at Salk Middle School

Check-in starts at 4pm

Elk River Girls Tournament

January 3-4, 2026

MYAS Girls State Tournament
TBD
Multiple locations

Elk River hosts MYAS Boys State Tournament

TBD

End of Season Coaches Meeting
TBD