ARTICLE I: PURPOSE & IDENTITY

The National HomeSchool Basketball Association (NHBA) & National HomeSchool Volleyball Association (NHVBA) were formed to protect the integrity of homeschool athletics. The NHBA/NHVBA are extensions of the National Christian HomeSchool Championships LLC (NCHC), which hosts the association members’ exclusive invitational District, Regional, and National Championship Events.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

All programs and organizations participating in NCHC Championships are required to be members of the NHBA or NHVBA.

A. Membership Agreement All members must agree to the following terms:

1. Abide by the NCHC Eligibility Guidelines, NCHC Policies Page, and these Association Bylaws.

2. Submit to the vetting process of the NHBA/NHVBA.

3. Use only players who are eligible by NCHC Guidelines for all games throughout the year.

4. As a condition of active standing, Member Organizations agree to abide by the operational protocols outlined on the official NCHC Policy Page, including all Game Day Operations, Player Registration standards, and Forfeit Rules. The Executive Committee reserves the authority to update the Policy Page to address insurance mandates, liability coverage, and tournament logistics.

B. Membership Deadlines & Fees

• Fee: $5.00 per program per year (Automatically covered in your Team Fee if you attended a previous post-season event).

• NHBA (Basketball) Deadline: November 1st.

• NHVBA (Volleyball) Deadline: June 1st.

• Late Applications: Require immediate contact with the NCHC office (nchcstaff@nchclive.com) to request expedited processing. Processing late applications is at the Executive Committee’s discretion.

C. Member Benefits & Voting Rights Members in “Good Standing” are granted:

1. EGC Representation: A seat on the Eligibility Guidelines Committee (EGC).

2. EAB Representation: Head coaches/leaders serve on the Eligibility Advisory Board (EAB).

D. Waiver of Consumer Rights / Private Association Status- The NCHC is a private LLC administering a voluntary association. By joining, I am becoming a Member, not a consumer. I agree that the NCHC Executive Committee has the final authority to resolve all internal disputes, similar to a church or private club, and that Consumer Protection laws do not apply to this internal governance.

E. References & Vetting- Part of Vetting Invitation Request from organizations that are not current Members who are seeking to join the association requires three references; these references need to be the top-ranking administrator for the organization and are authorized to speak on its behalf. Listing a subordinate (e.g., Assistant Coach) may result in immediate application denial.

F. Organizational Independence & Integrity Standards To protect the integrity of the NCHC/NHBA/NHVA eligibility standards, all Member Organizations must operate as distinct, autonomous homeschool entities. The Association prohibits membership for teams that function as subsidiaries, “feeder” programs, franchises, or satellite squads for:

1. Prep Schools / Post-Grad Programs

2. AAU / Club Travel Organizations

3. For-Profit Basketball/Volleyball Training Academies

4. Physical Private/Public Schools

1. Prohibition of “Asset Conversion” & Shared Identity A Member Organization cannot be established by simply renaming or “converting” the digital or legal assets of a non-homeschool entity.

• Digital Assets: It is strictly prohibited to “take over,” rename, or repurpose an existing Website, Social Media Account, or Domain Name that was previously used for a Prep School, AAU Club, Physical School, or Commercial Business. A legitimate homeschool organization must have a distinct, dedicated web presence that reflects a community-based, homeschool-only mission.

• Legal Assets: Member Organizations may not operate under the FEIN, LLC, or DBA of a Prep School or Sports Training Academy.

2. The “Wall of Separation” Doctrine If a Member Organization is affiliated with any other sports entity (within the same sport of the Association Membership), they must demonstrate strict separation to be eligible for NCHC Invitational events (Association Members Only). A “Homeschool Team” will be denied admission if it shares any of the following with an organization that allows ineligible players (e.g., Prep, Post-Grad, or Recruit-based teams):

• Shared Name / Branding: The Member Organization may not use the same Team Name, Logo, or Mascot as a Prep/AAU entity. (e.g., You cannot be the “Tigers Homeschool” if there is a “Tigers Prep” owned by the same group).

• Shared Leadership & Coaching: The Member Organization may not share Board Members or Directors with a Prep/Post-Grad entity.

  • Conflict of Interest: An individual cannot serve as the Head Coach of an NCHC Homeschool team if they are simultaneously (during the active school season) acting as the Head Coach or Recruiter for a Prep School or Post-Grad program.

  • Note: Off-season coaching (AAU/Club) is permitted provided the organizations remain legally and financially distinct.

• Shared Financials: Using the same bank account, EIN, or payment portal as a Prep School/Post Grad/AAU/Club/Physical School entity is prohibited.

3. Prohibition of Franchise & Satellite Loopholes (Unified Brand Accountability) The NCHC treats organizations sharing a common Brand Name, Leadership Structure, or Owner as a single entity, regardless of geographic location.

• No Geographic Partitioning: An organization cannot circumvent NCHC rules by creating “Satellite,” “Regional,” or “State-Specific” chapters (e.g., “Westside Turkeys Kansas” vs. “Westside Turkeys Nebraska,” or “North/South” divisions).

• The “Poisoned Root” Standard: If the parent brand or any satellite location offers prohibited programs (e.g., Prep, Post-Grad, or AAU recruitment), ALL chapters bearing that brand name are ineligible for NCHC membership. You cannot operate a “Non-Compliant” division in one location and a “Compliant” division in another under the same banner, name, website, social media, or any other items covered under this section.

4. Enforcement & Audit The NCHC Eligibility Committee reserves the right to audit the “Digital History” and organizational structure of any applicant. Organizations found to be operating as “shells,” franchises, or satellites for prohibited or ineligible entities will be immediately suspended and all games forfeited.

5. Committee Discretion & Review The NCHC Eligibility Committee recognizes that organizational structures vary. If a Member Organization believes it meets the spirit of independence but technically violates a specific clause above (e.g., shared facility ownership), it may petition for a Structural Review. The Committee’s ruling on whether an organization is truly “Homeschool-First” or “Commercial-First” is final and administratively binding.

Participation is contingent upon adherence to Association standards as currently published and as may be amended by the Committee

ARTICLE III: GOVERNANCE & AUTHORITY

Duty to Cooperate with Association Inquiries (The “Vetting” Clause)

• Condition of Membership: Full and truthful cooperation with NCHC inquiries is mandatory. This includes providing documents, witness statements, and clarification regarding any matter the Executive Committee deems relevant.

• Scope: The NCHC reserves the right to vet the operational history of any Applicant Organization, including conduct in non-NCHC events.

• Refusal to Cooperate: Failure to provide documentation will result in Immediate Denial of Application or Suspension of Good Standing. In the absence of cooperation, the Committee is authorized to draw an adverse inference (assume the worst) regarding the alleged violation.

• Privacy Waiver: By applying for membership, the Organization waives any claim of “administrative privacy” regarding communications involving student eligibility.

Membership Service Rights (Right to Refuse) The NCHC Executive Committee reserves the right to refuse service to or remove from “Good Standing” any organization that:

1. Undermines the reputation of homeschool sports.

2. Has previous eligibility violations.

3. Jeopardizes the safety or well-being of staff, referees, or other members.

4. Collaborates with groups actively damaging the reputation of the NHBA/NHVBA.

ARTICLE IV: APPEALS & ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY

1. Policy on Procedural Closure (Administrative Finality) Reference Code: I.16(b)

• The Policy: Where the Executive Committee (EC) issues a denial based on established, clear precedent—specifically regarding numerical limits (e.g., age limits, transfer caps) or documented factual violations—the decision is deemed Administratively Final.

• No Further Appeal: Appeals to the EAB or EGC are not permitted for rulings based on verified data or numerical statutes.

2. Policy on Authorized Communication (The “Chain of Command”) Reference Code: I.17

• The Policy: All formal correspondence regarding governance matters must originate from the Member Organization’s designated Athletic Director or Board Representative.

• Unauthorized Parties: The NCHC will not respond to governance correspondence from parents, students, or external legal counsel.

3. Policy on Systemic Governance Reclassification Reference Code: I.18

• The Policy: The Executive Committee retains the sole authority to determine if an eligibility matter constitutes a Systemic Governance Issue. Such matters will be redirected to the EGC for legislative vote rather than individual appeal.

ARTICLE V: PRIVATE ASSOCIATION STATUS & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 1: Waiver of Consumer Rights / Private Association Status The NCHC is a private LLC administering a voluntary association (including the National HomeSchool Basketball Association – NHBA & National HomeSchool Volleyball Association NHVA). By registering and joining, the undersigned acknowledges they are becoming a Member, not a consumer. The Member agrees that the NCHC Executive Committee has final authority to resolve all internal disputes, similar to that of a church or private club, and that Consumer Protection laws do not apply to this internal governance.

• Acceptance: I have read and agree that I am joining a Private Association and explicitly waive specific Consumer Protection rights regarding internal governance disputes.

Section 2: Mandatory Dispute Resolution As a mandatory condition of membership, all Organizations, Leaders, Coaches, and Member Families (collectively “Participants”) agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to the NCHC—including but not limited to personal injury, eligibility, fees, or rule interpretations—shall be resolved exclusively through the following three-step hierarchy.

Step 1: Internal Appeal (Condition Precedent) Prior to initiating any legal or equitable proceeding, the Participant must submit a written appeal to the NCHC Executive Committee. The Committee shall review the matter and provide a written decision within fourteen (14) business days. Exhaustion of this internal remedy is a strict condition precedent to any further action.

Step 2: Mandatory Mediation If the Internal Appeal does not resolve the dispute, the Participant agrees to submit the matter to non-binding mediation administered by a neutral mediator in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

• Costs: The Participant explicitly agrees to bear all costs associated with the mediation, including the mediator’s fees and any administrative charges.

Step 3: Binding Arbitration If mediation fails, any remaining unresolved controversy or claim shall be resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA).

• Venue: The arbitration shall be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

• Commercial Standard: Based on the Private Association status defined in Section 1, the parties agree that their relationship is not a consumer transaction. Therefore, the AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules shall apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.

• Costs & Fees: To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Participant shall pay all filing fees, administrative costs, and arbitrator fees.

• Prevailing Party: In the event the NCHC is the prevailing party, the Participant agrees to reimburse the NCHC for all costs incurred, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

• Judgment: Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

Section 3: Waivers

• Waiver of Litigation: Participants/Association Members explicitly waive the right to file civil lawsuits against the NCHC, its officers, contractors, volunteers, or staff in any court of law (except to enforce an arbitration award).

• Class Action Waiver: Participants agree that any arbitration or proceeding shall be limited to the dispute between the NCHC and the individual Participant. Class arbitrations and class actions are not permitted.

Section 4: Severability If any portion of this Article (such as the cost-allocation provision or Private Association status) is determined by a court or arbitrator to be unenforceable or invalid under applicable law, that specific provision shall be severed, and the remainder of this Agreement (including the obligation to arbitrate) shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE VI: WITHDRAWAL & DISCIPLINE

a) Formal Withdrawal Protocol If an organization chooses to withdraw from the NCHC, specifically during an investigation or after an eligibility violation:

1. Notification: Must formally notify NCHC Staff (nchbchomeschoolnationals@gmail.com).

2. Disclosure: Must notify their own families of the eligibility violations that prompted the withdrawal.

3. Sanctions:

   • Withdrawal during an open investigation results in a Maximum Ban (3 years + Probation).

   • Withdrawal after using ineligible players (instead of rectifying) results in a Maximum Ban.

4. No Refunds: Withdrawal does not trigger a refund.

b) Disciplinary Action Discipline may be imposed for eligibility violations, violence, vandalism, or slander. Sanctions include:

• Letters of Reprimand.

• Suspension (up to 3 years).

• Naming of Ineligible & Sanctioned Parties: The NCHC mandates the public naming of the sanctioned Member Organization and the specific team(s) involved in disciplinary communications to the membership. Furthermore, the Executive Committee reserves sole discretion to publicly name specific individuals involved in the infraction (including coaches, parents, or student-athletes) when doing so is deemed necessary to protect the integrity of the Association.

c) Reinstatement Suspended individuals or organizations must complete the NCHC Reinstatement Application and undergo a vetting process before returning.

ARTICLE VII: DEFINITIONS & WAIVERS

Definition of a Traditional Homeschool Student-Athlete A homeschool student who participates in athletics. While they may transfer to enhance athletic opportunities, they remain committed homeschool students. This contrasts with a student who is an athlete first and chooses schooling based solely on athletics.

Liability Waivers By participating, all members release the NCHC, its agents, and sponsors from any liability for injury or harm. This release extends to emergency medical decisions made by NCHC staff in best judgment.

2025-26 Article VI Basketball Compliance & Good Standing Report- CLICK HERE

Association Governance Philosophy

“Rules are static. Leadership is dynamic.” The NHBA (Basketball) and NHVBA (Volleyball) Bylaws serve as the constitutional framework for our Member Teams. However, the Executive Committee is committed to Active Integrity.

As a private association, we reserve the right to audit, investigate, and adjudicate issues to ensure these rules are applied fairly. We do not allow manipulation of the rulebook to defeat the purpose of fair play. Whether it involves complex transfer rulings or disciplinary vetting, our goal is always the same: To protect the innocent and preserve the integrity of the bracket.

(c) 2025 National Christian Homeschool Championships

© 1991-2026 National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The National HomeSchool Basketball Association (NHBA) and National HomeSchool Volleyball Association (NHVA) are proprietary divisions owned and operated by National Christian Homeschool Championships, LLC. The NCHC operates as a Private Voluntary Association; all events are Invitational competitions and are conditioned upon strict adherence to the Association’s governance standards.