Dear 4CITY Families,
As we wrap up another fantastic year of community basketball, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every player, parent, coach, and volunteer for your incredible participation and support. Your enthusiasm and dedication are what set 4CITY apart from the many for-profit youth sports organizations in our area.
As another year of 4CITY comes to a close, it is a good time for reflection on how we can foster an even more a positive, inclusive, and fun environment for all of our players and families. With that in mind, we have decided to introduce a new 4CITY Code of Sportsmanship in 2026 that bans all taunting or excessive celebration by players in games and practices. This policy will be enforced in all age divisions, from Rookie through high school.
Unfortunately most professional and collegiate athletes have no qualms about flexing or gesturing towards opponents, and our children are tempted to mimic what they see on TV. But at 4CITY we believe any outward celebration that is not directed towards a teammate is a form of taunting and therefore bad sportsmanship. This includes hand gestures celebrating made three pointers, and "flexing" after a block or contested shot. In 4CITY refereed league games, referees will give one verbal warning and then assess a one-shot technical for each infraction thereafter. Two technicals by the same player will result in disqualification from the game. In our club team games, players will be removed from the game by coaches after one warning.
Parents (and other family spectators) are also asked to follow the 4CITY Code of Sportsmanship, which bars any noise or disruption while opposing teams are shooting free throws. We also ask that parents continue a longstanding 4CITY tradition of clapping for opposing teams when they make free throws—these are uncontested shots, and we shouldn't root for failure—and not outwardly celebrating when an opposing team makes an unforced error such as a travelling or three second violation.
Sports doesn't have to be about putting down opponents to feel better about our own successes. Winning is about accomplishing a goal together with teammates, and it is diminished when it comes at the expense of our opponents' respect. We hope you will help reinforce these important values as our kids navigate their complicated, contradictory, and media-saturated world.
On behalf of everyone at 4CITY, we wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and festive holiday season. Thank you for being such an important part of our basketball community, and we look forward to making 2026 our best year yet!
Happy Holidays!
Justin Kitch
4CITY Board President