For more than 30 years, the basketball program at St. Ann has beckoned children from East Cobb and beyond. But it’s not your typical East Cobb sports league. The focus of St. Ann’s Basketball is less about competition and more about teamwork and sportsmanship.

“Through practices and games, we hope to teach youngsters how to play well with one another,” said ministry leader Frank Brennan. “We stress recreation above competition so that everyone wants to come back to play again.”

The basketball league welcomes kindergarten through seventh grade boys and girls. As many as 500 kids play each weekend, but they’ll be learning about more than free throws and fast breaks. Families participate in three charitable efforts each season: two benefit kids in El Salvador and one helps fund pediatric cancer research. “Although the activities in the gym are not liturgical in nature, I believe we have become a great ambassador to the East Cobb community,” Brennan said.

The season runs October through February and counts on volunteer coaches – mainly the parents of players – to run weekly practices and games. Christopher Uher has been a volunteer with St. Ann’s Basketball for several years.

“This program has been one of the more enjoyable ones for meand my family,” said Uher, who volunteers as a coach and referee. “Frank does a fantastic job of running the program in a caring, collaborative and supportive way. This program is helping shape kids to be ready for life’s challenges.”

Basketball coordinator Frank Brennan (pictured with some players): “Our activities invite everyone to participate and we work to make all feel welcome."