Gloucester Township Girls Athletic Association

The Gloucester Township Girls Athletic Association was started in 1974 by several Little League mothers who were tired of girls being treated like second-class athletes to boys.  The G.T.G.A.A. provides year-round programs in softball, cheerleading, Summer and Winter Basketball and Indoor Soccer.  The G.T.G.A.A. has also incorporated “Gloucester Township Girls Fastpitch Softball, Inc.”.  The G.T.G.A.A. is an independent, self-funded, all-volunteer organization which has always based its programs on fun, participation, and learning the sport.  Keys to achieving these goals are placing players on teams based on talent and experience, as well as age.  Also conducting many clinics and special warm-up sessions help players prepare for the season.  The G.T.G.A.A. takes pride in ensuring a safe program by certifying all coaches through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association and strictly abiding by their guidelines and their motto - "Say YES to better sports for Kids".  The G.T.G.A.A. maintains memberships with the National Association of Youth Leagues, National Softball Coaches Association, Amateur Softball Association, New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Association, and the Women's Sports Foundation.

 The G.T.G.A.A. sets new teams each year so players are separated based on talent and experience as shown by the tryouts, in order to try and create even teams at the beginning of the season.  Players also get the benefits of sometimes seeing different coaches each year as well as meeting new friends and teammates.   Through this sometimes difficult procedure of re-drafting each year, there are some requests to keep players together due to transportation problems, which in most cases can be accommodated;  however, it cannot be done if it may create an imbalance on the teams.  All players are placed on teams - there are no cuts.

UMPIRES and Team Parents are needed.  Please volunteer your time and help us help the girls.  Umpires will be trained.  Please contact us as soon as possible. The main objective of the organization is to help the girls and have fun.  The league is not for the adults - it is important to keep the program in its proper perspective.  Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

The G.T.G.A.A. has set its IN TOWN softball program into various divisions, each with unique qualifications to help the players progress through the program and learn the distinct aspects of the game a little more each year.  All games are played within the Township:

The MAJOR DIVISION, for ages 7,8 and 9, is considered "semi-competitive" as wins and losse are not kept during the season.  Players are still taught the basics and to try various positions including pitching.  Coaches pitch to their team early in the season with a goal of having the girls pitch in games towards the end of the season.   Games are played mostly at Lewis, Highland and Timber Creek .

The JUNIOR/SENIOR DIVISION is now known as the Patriot Division. This is for girls age 12-16 and our teams will play other towns from the South Jersey Girls Softball Association. Home games are played at the Lakeland Complex.

The TRAVELING TEAMS play competitive softball with teams in the South Jersey Girls Softball Association League playing against neighboring towns and organizations.  There are teams at the 10-U, 11-12 level, 13-15 level, and 16-18 level.  Our teams have been very successful over the years and have made the S.J. playoffs in each of the last 15 years.   The Traveling Teams play mostly at the Lakeland Complex Field, sometimes UNDER THE LIGHTS.