I recently registered my son for NJB, paying $327 in registration fees. I was essentially required…read moreto either volunteer or pay an additional $40 opt-out fee, which I find unreasonable given the already substantial cost of registration.
I also paid an additional $27 for the indoor basketball skills academy to provide my son with extra preparation before his evaluation. Unfortunately, the experience was extremely disappointing and fell significantly short of expectations.
The clinic lacked structure, organization, and effective coaching. Approximately 20 children were placed in a confined area for a dribbling drill where players were eliminated for losing possession or interfering with another player's ball. The setup was chaotic and presented unnecessary safety concerns. Coaches made little effort to correct mistakes, provide meaningful instruction, or maintain control of the participants. Instructions were poorly communicated, and children were essentially left to complete drills without proper guidance, supervision, or constructive feedback.
NJB advertises skills development, discipline, and confidence, yet none of these qualities were meaningfully demonstrated during the session. As a paying parent, I expected an environment that prioritized instruction, player development, organization, and safety.
Furthermore, if NJB relies on volunteer coaching, that responsibility should still be taken seriously. Volunteering does not excuse a lack of preparation, supervision, or accountability. Parents are investing considerable money into this organization for their children to participate, and the expectation should be that those children receive a meaningful, structured, and properly managed experience in return. The financial commitment families are required to make should be reflected in the quality of the program being provided.
I am extremely disappointed in the quality of this clinic and believe NJB needs to reevaluate its coaching standards, training, and overall approach to player development. The experience did not justify the additional expense or reflect the values and quality of instruction the organization advertises.
I hope this feedback is taken seriously and results in meaningful improvements to the program rather than being dismissed as an isolated complaint. More importantly, this experience has left me genuinely concerned about the season ahead.