With the National Basketball Association (NBA) lockout resolved, the San Leandro Junior Warriors and Golden State Warriors have partnered up for a 13th season to continue promoting non-competitive youth basketball.

“There is a lot of opportunities in San Leandro for competitive basketball, but our program is beneficial because it provides kids with an opportunity to play non-competitive basketball in a friendly environment,” said Veronica Tracy, the recreation supervisor for the Junior Warriors the past three and a half years.

Since its establishment as a non-profit organization in 2000, the Junior Warriors Basketball league has served over 110,000 youth in the Bay Area.

“Our program helps create community. The whole mission is to get everyone together to give kids an opportunity to [acquire] a fundamental understanding of the sport and walk away with a positive team building experience,” said Mike Braun, a second-year coach in the Junior Warriors program.

The program features 24 teams over six different divisions for boys and girls between the ages of 5 to 14.

Over a 10-week period, kids learn basic fundamentals of basketball through skills and drills clinics, an exhibition game and six regular season games.

Clinics and games are held every Saturday at San Leandro High, Fred Korematsu Campus Gym, and Washington Manor Middle School.

“We are [constantly] looking to enhance existing [Junior Warriors] programs by offering unique components that makes the league more attractive to the community it serves,” said youth basketball coordinator Tony Melendez.

Through partnerships with 32 respective agencies, the Junior Warriors and Golden State Warriors have generated revenue to provide each participant with reversible micro-mesh jerseys and free ticket vouchers to attend one Warriors home game this season.

In addition to distributing jerseys and tickets, the league administers a coaching clinic where Junior Warriors coaches are professionally trained by members of the Golden State Warriors coaching staff.

Prior to the start of a Warriors home game, there is a Junior Warriors Classic in which two of the best league teams face off in front of hundreds of fans at the Oracle Arena. Also, players of each representative team get the opportunity to have camera time with one of the Warriors prominent stars.

Though program fees range from $172 to $197 for league participation, some parents acknowledge that their money has been well spent as a result of noticeable improvement in their child’s basketball skills.

“Over the last three years, my son has gained more and more confidence within himself,” said Leanna Charretter, whose son been a part of the Junior Warriors program for three years now. “He started off as a shy kid with no skills, but each year he’s gradually gained more skills.”

Aside from skill building assets and a boost of confidence, the league has given players something to take pride in and something to hold themselves accountable for.

“Playing for the Junior Warriors gives kids a sense of identity because the Golden State Warriors is located in the area. So, when kids wear their Junior Warriors jerseys around town, people recognize them and know who they represent,” said Melendez.