A number of parents have inquired over the course of this season as to what is a RBBC Booster Hoopster All-Star game, and how this concept originated. Given the symbolic importance that these games have taken on within the overall RBBC program, the RBBC Board thought it would be helpful to parents and coaches to hear how this idea originally evolved.

Several years ago, a number of RBBC girls league coaches met to discuss "year-end programming." They were interested in figuring out a way to reward all league players (regardless of individual skill level) for their outstanding personal efforts and achievements during the season, for their exhibition of sportspersonship during league games, for their respect for coaches, teammates and opponents, and for their attendance at games/practices.

One of the coaches came up with the concept of a "league-wide" series of all-star games "with a twist." The concept was simple - all players in a particular league would be assigned (by their coaches with the help of their league commissioner) to an all-star game with similarly skilled players with the goal of these games being four-fold: 1) a vehicle for player recognition; 2) a vehicle to give all players a chance to experience the exhilaration of participating in an all-star game; 3) to provide and ensure a balanced, competitive and exciting game; and 4) to guarantee a fun time for players, coaches and parents.

A second coach at that meeting recommended naming these games Booster Hoopster All-Star games in recognition of the meaning of the "booster program concept" (and what it stands for), and to distinguish these games from the typical all-star game which historically recognizes only the most skilled athletes without giving consideration to the lesser skilled athletes (who might have made significant other contributions to their teams/leagues based on criteria other than pure skill level).

Thanks to the collective efforts of that first group of coaches, and based on the overwhelming consensus of positive feedback received back about that first series of Booster Hoopster All-Star game three years ago from players, coaches and parents, the RBBC Board formally adopted the Booster Hoopster All-Star game concept.

This is the fourth year for Booster Hoopster All-Star games on the RBBC girls league side and the first time on the RBBC boys league side. Booster Hoopster All-Star games are scheduled for players in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.