For the love of the game: Kids have a ball learning skills and life lessons with Poway Youth Basketball League

POWAY, Calif. — For over 40 years, the Poway Youth Basketball League (PYBL) has been a mainstay of the recreational and competitive sports league in Poway. The all-volunteer board spends countless hours helping to continue the tradition of youth basketball and create opportunities to engage kids.

Dedicated volunteers making a difference

PYBL’s board president, Brian Adkins, a busy attorney and father of two, is passionate about fostering this program. “I wanted to do something good for the community and also be actively involved in my kids’ lives—it’s been a lot of work but very rewarding,” he said.

PYBL is especially fortunate to have several board members serving well beyond the typical volunteer commitment. Take Linda Bradbury, for example. Over three decades ago, she started PYBL’s Champions League—renamed last year from the Challenged Division. This league is dedicated to serving players with special needs.

Bradbury was inspired to create the Champions League to give her youngest son, Andy, the opportunity to play team basketball. “My older son was playing high school rec basketball at the time, and my youngest, Andy, was eight years old. He is nonverbal and developmentally delayed, but that did not stop him from enjoying dribbling his ball and playing with his brother,” she recalls. Andy is now in his 40s and still plays in the league, which currently has over 100 participants.

Some players have been involved since the 1991–1992 inaugural season and continue to play today. Bradbury will begin her 34th season with the Champions League this January. Nancy Beshansky, who joined the board a few years ago, now helps run the league alongside her.

Karen Lieberman is another enduring board member of PYBL. Her daughter started playing basketball in third grade, and within a few years, Lieberman joined the board. Though her daughter will be turning 21 soon and hasn’t played PYBL for many years, Lieberman remains involved. “I volunteer because I believe kids need a safe place where they can play, grow and feel supported. What makes it meaningful are the life lessons—working as a team, building friendships and learning how to handle winning and losing.”

Range of offerings

• Rec League: Open to girls and boys in grades 3 through 8. The emphasis is on fun gameplay and team camaraderie. Games are held on Saturdays at Meadowbrook Middle School or Twin Peaks Middle School.
• Titans Club: A competitive league that allows players to elevate their game by participating year-round. Games are played in various locations throughout the county.
• Champions League: Serving players with special needs, this league runs from January to March. Gameplay is divided into hour sessions by ability.
• Titans Academy: A recent addition, this free weekly clinic for 2nd–8th graders teaches basketball skills and fundamentals of the game. The clinic is beneficial for both beginners and more experienced players who want to sharpen their skills.

Love of basketball

Adkins and his board of dedicated volunteers create a supportive and accessible environment for all PYBL players. This includes providing scholarships to help offset costs for those who may need financial assistance. Adkins takes pride in watching young players have fun and develop a love of the game: “I have parents come up to me and say, ‘All my daughter wants to do now is play basketball,’ and that’s what makes it worth it for me.”

For more information, please visit pybl.com.

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