Orchard Park Thunder is a premier travel basketball program serving kids from all areas! This high level program was started in 2012 as a way to develop better athletes, better basketball players at a competitive level, and to teach good sportsmanship.  

Travel teams are separate from House teams. 
If you choose to tryout for a travel team, you need to register on the site for the appropriate grade level.

**2025-2026 Travel Winter Basketball Season Tryout Information**
Tryout Registration is FREE -- Registration opens the week of August 3! 
Winter season generally runs mid-October through March

Location: Orchard Park Community Center
Sunday, September 14 2025

 *4th/5th Grade Girls will also hold a tryout on Tuesday, September 16 - 6:00pm-7:00pm (Left Court)

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Travel teams have at least one practice per week, and some teams have up to three per week. By committing to Thunder, your player needs to be able to make it to most of the practices and games.

Teams generally play in competitive local and out-of-town tournaments plus exhibition games with local teams.

Tryout registration is FREE. You will only be charged if your player makes a team and you want to move forward.

We are a non-profit organization. Player fees are team specific and go toward uniforms, tournaments, gym space, referee costs, equipment, and insurance. We encourage teams to play in 4-6 tournaments. If a team decides to do more than what is budgeted for, there could be additional out of pocket expenses.  

1) Eligibility: All participants registered for the appropriate grade level are eligible to try out. For Winter season, this is the grade players are entering in the Fall. There is NO residency requirement, and we encourage kids from all area towns to try out.

2) Financial Obligation: Each family is responsible for player fees, due when the player has secured a roster spot. We will not provide a uniform until payment has been made in full.

3) Philosophy: Our goal is to develop young individuals who are competitive at basketball and who embrace good sportsmanship on and off the court. Our focus will be to provide an opportunity to significantly improve their basketball skills and understanding of the game, while showing respect and class at all times. Coaches will, at all times, keep the safety and well being of each player a priority.

4) Zero Tolerance: We expect all players, coaches, and parents to treat everyone with respect. Any player, parent, or coach not living up to the expected standards will be removed from the team.

5) Participation: Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend games and support their team.  

a. We ask that parents/guardians, relatives, and friends attending the games show respect towards all players, coaches, referees, and facility staff. 

b. We ask that parents/guardians allow the coaches to coach and the referees to referee. Please do not put a child in a position of being torn between listening to a parent or listening to a coach. During a game, offer encouragement and not instruction.

6) Playing Time: Our coaches intentions are to do their best to make every player better. This is why our program has a strong focus on practice and individual player training. In games and tournaments, coaches will put their teams in a position to win.

7) Players Rules and Expectations:

a. Players must show respect at all times. There is zero tolerance for arguing with coaches, players, parents/guardians, or referees.

b. Players should be mindful of their language. There is zero tolerance for offensive words or insensitive comments.

c. Players and coaches are expected to shake hands with the opposing team and referees.

d. Missed games and practices should be communicated to the respective coaches.

8) Non-Thunder Playing Time: We are proud when our players are asked to play for other teams and encourage them to take advantage of this. However, we never want to put Thunder players against Thunder players. Because of this, players cannot play in a tournament (division) for a non-Thunder team that might face a fellow Thunder team.