Hornets Competitive Tryouts are the first step toward an exciting season of basketball, development and growth. This page will introduce you to what the Hornets Competitive Program has to offer, while giving players and families everything they need to navigate the tryout process with confidence — from preparing for your first session and understanding how players are evaluated to team selection, offers and what comes next.

We’re excited to welcome you to the gym and wish every player a great tryout experience! 🐝

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Strength & Athletic Development: Off-court athletic development with FitQuest, led by Chris Schwartz and his team.
Mental Performance: Workshops with Ashley Strike of Strike Zone Performance, focused on confidence, focus, resilience, managing pressure and leadership.
Sports Nutrition & Hydration: Workshops with Michelle Balon of Highlands Regenerative Health, covering nutrition, hydration, recovery and healthy performance habits.

Hudl Player Development Platform (U14+): Video analysis helps athletes review game film, better understand the game and accelerate their development.
Coach Apprentice Program: Opportunities for athletes to work alongside coaches with younger teams, developing communication, mentorship and leadership skills while giving back to the West Ottawa Basketball community.

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Tryouts are an opportunity for players to compete, challenge themselves and show our coaches who they are, not only through their basketball skills, but through their effort, decision-making, teamwork, attitude, and coachability.

At West Ottawa Basketball, our goal is to create a positive, fair, and athlete-centred tryout experience. We recognize that players develop at different rates and bring different strengths to the court. No single drill, play or moment defines a player's tryout.

We encourage players to focus on what they can control: work hard, compete, be a great teammate, listen to feedback and enjoy the opportunity to play.

We also recognize that families may be exploring more than one competitive basketball opportunity. Players should feel comfortable attending other tryouts and families should have the opportunity to make an informed decision about the program and team environment that is the best fit for their player.

Our coaches will communicate team offers respectfully and provide a reasonable opportunity for families to consider them. Our goal is for players who join the Hornets to do so because they are excited to be part of their team and the West Ottawa Basketball community.

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Players are strongly encouraged to attend both of their first two scheduled tryouts. Attending both sessions gives our coaching staff the best opportunity to evaluate each player fairly and thoroughly.

We understand that illness, injury, school commitments or other unavoidable conflicts may prevent a player from attending one of the sessions. Missing one of the first two tryouts does not automatically remove a player from consideration for a competitive team. Coaches will evaluate the player based on the information available to them.

If your player is unable to attend a tryout, please let us know as soon as possible.

Third Tryouts
Where a third tryout is scheduled, attendance is by invitation only. Coaches will contact invited players directly following the first two sessions.

Players who are unable to attend one of their first two tryouts may still be considered for and invited to a third tryout.

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Tryout season can be exciting, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding, particularly for players attending multiple tryouts or exploring opportunities with different programs.

We encourage players to arrive ready to compete while also taking care of themselves throughout the tryout process.

Before and between tryouts, players should:

• Get adequate rest and recovery.
• Stay hydrated and bring a water bottle to every session.
• Eat appropriately before participating.
• Arrive with enough time to get organized and warm up.
• Stretch and take care of their bodies between sessions.
• Fuel muscle recovery with protein right after the tryout sessions ends 
• Communicate any injuries, concerns or physical limitations to the coaching staff.

Players should never feel that they need to hide an injury or push through something that may put their health or safety at risk.

Most importantly, come ready to work hard, be a great teammate, learn, and enjoy the opportunity to play basketball.

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Players should arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled tryout to allow enough time for check-in and preparation before the session begins.

What to Bring

• A basketball with your name on it (we will not have extras on hand)
• A labelled water bottle (filled at home)
• Indoor basketball shoes
• Comfortable athletic clothing and shoes

Players will be assigned a tryout number at check-in to help coaches and evaluators identify them throughout the session(s). Tryout numbers may be marked on the player’s leg/arm or displayed using another method.

We strongly recommend leaving valuables such as cell phones at home or keeping them zipped up securely throughout the tryout. We are not responsible for missing personal items.

Please follow any additional check-in instructions provided before your scheduled tryout.

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Tryouts are designed to give players opportunities to demonstrate their skills, compete, make decisions and interact with teammates in a variety of basketball situations.

The format of each tryout may vary depending on the age group, coaching staff and number of players attending. Sessions may include skill-based activities, competitive drills, small-sided play and game situations. Coaches will structure their tryouts in the way they feel best allows them to evaluate the players in their age group.

Who Evaluates the Players?

Players will be evaluated by their age group's coaching staff, with support from other experienced Hornets coaches and evaluators throughout the tryout process.

Having multiple coaches and evaluators involved provides additional perspectives and helps our coaching staff make informed decisions when building their teams.

What Are Coaches Looking For?

There is no single drill, play, or moment that determines whether a player is selected for a Hornets team. Coaches consider the overall player and how they may contribute within a competitive team environment.

While evaluation will vary by age group and team, coaches will generally consider four broad areas:

• Basketball Skills & Game Understanding
  • Fundamental skills such as ball handling, passing, shooting and finishing, along with court awareness, decision-making and understanding of the game.
• Effort & Competitiveness
  • Work ethic, intensity, defensive effort and a player's willingness to compete and respond to challenging situations.
• Teamwork & Communication
  • How a player interacts with teammates, communicates on the court, contributes to team play and demonstrates a willingness to play with and for others.
• Coachability & Character
  • How a player listens and responds to instruction, applies feedback, demonstrates sportsmanship and shows respect for teammates, coaches, evaluators and other players.

Different players bring different strengths to the court, and coaches may weigh these areas differently depending on the age group and the needs of their team.

Our goal is to give players the opportunity to show who they are as a basketball player and as a teammate while helping our coaches build teams that can develop, compete and grow together throughout the season.

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Parents and guardians play an important role in supporting players throughout the tryout process. We encourage families to keep the focus on effort, learning, sportsmanship and enjoying the opportunity to compete.

Spectators
Spectators are not permitted during Hornets Competitive Tryouts.

Due to facility restrictions and school permit requirements, parents/guardians and other spectators may not remain in the gymnasium or other areas of the school during tryout sessions, except for washroom access as required.

Parents and guardians should drop players off for their scheduled session and return for pick-up at the end of the tryout.

The only exception is for our U10 division, parents or guardians will be able to stay for the first 15 minutes to help their player settle in and feel comfortable

Giving players this space also allows coaches and evaluators to conduct focused evaluations and gives players the opportunity to engage independently with their coaches and teammates.

Encourage Independence
Whenever possible, we encourage parents and guardians to allow their player to navigate the tryout experience independently — from checking in and getting organized to introducing themselves and communicating directly with coaches.

Tryouts give our coaching staff an opportunity to get to know players beyond their basketball skills. We want to see their personalities, how they communicate, how they interact with coaches and other players, and how they navigate a new or competitive environment.

Of course, younger players or those who need additional support may require some help. The goal isn't to add pressure, but to give players the opportunity to take ownership of their experience and let their personality come through.

Supporting the Tryout Process
Tryout periods are busy, with coaches and evaluators often involved with multiple teams and age groups. We ask families to allow coaching staff the time and space needed to complete evaluations and make thoughtful roster decisions.

Questions are always welcome, and we ask that all communication with coaches, evaluators and WOBA representatives remain respectful and constructive throughout the process.

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We know that not being selected for a competitive team can be disappointing. Every player who attends Hornets tryouts should be proud of the effort and courage it takes to put themselves out there and compete.

For players who want to continue playing with West Ottawa Basketball, our Stingers Recreational Program provides another opportunity to develop, compete and enjoy the game.

Interested in Stingers Recreational Basketball?
Competitive Tryout registration does not reserve a spot in the Stingers Recreational Program.

If your player would like to play recreational basketball if they are not selected for a Hornets team, they must also be registered for the Stingers Recreational Program before registration closes on August 31, 2026.

If your player is registered for Stingers and is subsequently selected for a Hornets team, the recreational registration fee already paid will be applied toward their competitive registration fee.

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Does my player need to attend both tryouts?

Players are strongly encouraged to attend both of their first two scheduled tryouts whenever possible. Missing one of these sessions does not automatically remove a player from consideration. Where a third tryout is scheduled, attendance is by invitation only.

What if my player is sick, injured or can't attend a tryout?

Please prioritize your player's health and well-being. If they are unable to attend a scheduled tryout, let us know as soon as possible.
Players who miss one of their first two sessions may still be considered for a team and may still be invited to a subsequent tryout.

Can parents watch tryouts?

No. Spectators are not permitted during Hornets Competitive Tryouts due to facility restrictions and school permit requirements.
Parents and guardians should drop players off and return for pick-up at the end of the session.

When will we find out if my player has made a team?

There is no set timeline for all team offers. The selection process may vary by age group and coaching staff, and coaches will communicate directly with players and families as roster decisions are made.

Can my player attend tryouts for other basketball clubs?

Absolutely. We recognize that families may be exploring more than one competitive basketball opportunity.
We encourage families to learn about the programs they are considering and choose the team and club environment that is the best overall fit for their player.

What happens if my player receives a Hornets team offer?

The coaching staff will contact you directly with the offer and any timeline for making a decision.
Once the offer has been accepted, your player will receive a private registration link to officially register for the West Ottawa Hornets Competitive Program.

What if my player isn't selected for a Hornets team?

Players who would like to play in the Stingers Recreational Program must be registered for Stingers before recreational registration closes on August 31, 2026. Competitive Tryout registration does not hold a recreational spot.

Where can I find the tryout schedule?

The complete Hornets Competitive Tryout Schedule is available on the West Ottawa Basketball website. Please check the schedule before attending, as tryout information may be updated.

Where can I learn more about the Hornets Competitive Program?

Visit our Hornets Competitive Program page to learn more about our coaching staff, competitive program, Whole Athlete Program, Hudl Player Development Platform, Coach Apprentice Program and the overall Hornets experience.

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