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Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
concerning WFBC:
How much
will it cost?
Why
is AAU Basketball so expensive?
Where
will we practice?
How much playing time will my daughter get?
How much traveling is involved?
Which team is my daughter eligible to play for?
Can my daughter "play up"?
How often will the team practice?
If my daughter doesn't live in Western Fairfax
County will she still be considered?
I have a youth club basketball game scheduled at
the same time as tryouts -- What should I do?
I play another sport in the Spring. Can I
still participate with WFBC?
I am unsure which AAU basketball club to join.
When do I have to decide?
How much
will it cost?
On average, the basic costs for U10 though U16
WFBC has been around $550 - For the 2009 season, WFBC has established two fee
structures: U8 and U9 teams $250 for the season, and U10 - U16 teams $450 for
the season. These costs included practice uniform, practice time, and selected
tournament fees.
Team travel costs (including coaches expenses) to and from
tournaments are not included in this fee structure. Costs for National tournaments are also
not included in this fee. Team members will be expected to reimburse up to two coaches per team for
their travel/lodging at tournaments outside of the greater Washington
DC/Baltimore area. All costs will be divided among all team members whether they
play in a tournament or not.
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Why is AAU Basketball so expensive?
WFBC membership fees are reasonable and less costly than many
other AAU organizations. The AAU season runs from late February though June (and
sometimes July). Our costs typically average
out to about $7 per hour for some of
the best coaching and facilities available in the area.
ALL coaches are volunteers and provide their
assistance as a service to the community. Player funds pay for tournament
fees, uniforms, equipment, first aid supplies, gym fees, AAU
registration, and other direct costs to the WFBC organization. It is our
desire for parents and players to know how much the program will cost from the
beginning.
Costs per player are based on a conservative
estimate of the number of players that will represent WFBC this year. Any
excessive funds will be put directly back into the program for new equipment or
additional court time.
2009 projected costs for all programs will be
posted on the website prior to the first tryout.
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Where will
we practice?
Whenever possible, practices will be held in the Westfield HS,
Chantilly HS, Centreville HS, or Herndon HS school district areas.
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How much playing time will
my daughter get?
Individual development must occur within the context of team competition.
Therefore, WFBC does not adhere to a minimum or guaranteed amount of playing
time for any player in a game. Coaches shall be encouraged to use all players in
every game but player participation is at the coaches' discretion. Numerous
factors can play into the amount of playing time each player gets (e.g.,
attendance at practice, attendance at tournaments, attitude, etc.). Each coach
will explain their philosophy on selection day. If you have any additional
questions regarding their particular policies, you should address the coach on
the first day.
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How much traveling is involved?
Most tournaments will be played in the greater Washington, DC/Baltimore area.
However, on occasion, some coaches may elect to play tournaments in
locations that may require an over night stay (our organization typically makes
an organizational outing to Carlisle, PA every year for the Mid-Penn Classic --
which also usually involves an outing to Hershey Park). The
amount of travel is at the discretion of each coach.
All teams that qualify for National AAU tournaments will
have the opportunity to travel to their
respective locations. In 2009, the National tournament sites and dates are:
| AGE |
Tournament |
Location |
Dates |
| 8U / 3rd Grade |
President's Cup |
DISNEY |
7/15 - 7/20 |
| 9U / 4th Grade |
National Championships |
Monroe, LA |
6/26-7/1 |
| 10U / 5th Grade |
National Championships |
DISNEY |
7/15 - 7/20 |
| 10U / 5th Grade |
Division II |
DISNEY |
7/15 - 7/20 |
| 11U / 6th Grade |
National Championships |
Kenner, LA |
6/26 - 7/1 |
| 11U / 6th Grade |
Division II |
Westfield, IN |
6/26 - 7/1 |
| 12U / 7th Grade |
National Championships |
Kingsport, TN |
7/3 - 7/8 |
| 12U / 7th Grade |
Division II |
Ft. Myers, FL |
7/3 - 7/8 |
| 13U / 8th Grade |
National Championships |
Kings Island, OH |
7/10 - 7/15 |
| 13U / 8th Grade |
Division II |
Cocoa Beach, FL |
7/10 - 7/15 |
| 14U / 9th Grade |
National Championships |
Salem, VA |
7/21 - 7/26 |
| 14U / 9th Grade |
Division II |
Hampton Roads, VA |
7/22 - 7/27 |
| 15U / 10th Grade |
National Championships |
Little Rock, AR |
7/21 - 7/26 |
| 15U / 10th Grade |
Division II |
DISNEY |
7/5 - 7/10 |
| 16U / 11th Grade |
National Championships |
DISNEY |
7/11 - 7/16 |
| 16U / 11th Grade |
Division II |
DISNEY |
7/11 - 7/16 |
A complete list of Division 1 and Division 2 AAU
Championship locations can be found at the following website
http://www.aaugirlsbasketball.org/index.asp?a=/pages/nationalchamp.htm
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Which team is my
daughter eligible to play for?
AAU is different than House or County leagues. In
2009, AAU has changed its categories and players are eligible by grade (not
necessarily by age). Players must be at or below the criterion age in a given age
category. Age for AAU purposes is not how old a child is now, but how old she
will be on the next cutoff date (Jan 1).
For the 2009 season, use the following guidelines:
| Age Group |
Grade and Birthday |
| 3rd Grade - U8 |
3rd Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1999 - Players NOT in 3rd Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 2000 |
| 4th Grade - U9 |
4th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1998 - Players NOT in 4th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1999 |
| 5th Grade - U10 |
5th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1997 - Players NOT in 5th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1998 |
| 6th Grade - U11 |
6th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1996 - Players NOT in 6th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1997 |
| 7th Grade - U12 |
7th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1995 - Players NOT in 7th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1996 |
| 8th Grade - U13 |
8th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1994 - Players NOT in 8th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1995 |
| 9th Grade - U14 |
9th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1993 - Players NOT in 9th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1994 |
| 10th Grade - U15 |
10th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1992 - Players NOT in 10th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1993 |
| 11th Grade - U16 |
11th Grade
AND born on or after January 1, 1991 - Players NOT in 11th Grade must be
born on or after January 1, 1992 |
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Can my daughter "play up"?
Players will be highly encouraged to play in
their own age divisions. However, in some circumstances, players will be
allowed to play with older girls. Coaches will make final selections.
Please read the Playing Up section in this web site (on the
Fees & Tryouts Page)
regarding girls who wish to play up.
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How
often will teams practice?
Typically, WFBC teams will practice twice a week (1 to 2 hours per
practice depending on the age group). Some teams may practice more prior to regional qualifying tournaments
or national tournaments.
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My daughter doesn't attend a school in Western Fairfax County -- Can she still
be considered?
Absolutely! Coaches will select the best players
available for each team. Teams that desire to participate in the AAU
National Championships only eligible for tournament play
if they have no more than 3 players from outside of the Potomac Valley Region
(Loudon County is currently NOT in the Potomac Valley District).
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I have a youth club basketball game scheduled at the same time as tryouts --
What should I do?
Definitely, honor the earlier commitment to your youth club
basketball team and attend the youth club game. Although we want everyone
to attend both tryouts, we understand that may not be possible. No matter
how hard we try, we cannot completely eliminate conflicts between our tryouts
and all other activities. If you have conflicts that prevent you from
attending all or part of both tryouts, tell your age group coach and we will
work something out to ensure you that you receive a fair opportunity.
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I play another sport in the Spring. Can I still
participate with WFBC?
Yes. Obviously, high school sports
activities always take priority over WFBC games or practices. Younger
players competing in another sport must balance the two commitments and should
be fair to both. This means an EVEN balance between the two sports
(not simply playing basketball only when it is convenient).
Players selected for National teams WILL be asked to make a HIGHER
commitment.
ALL WFBC players should set their schedules so they can play in the Potomac
Valley AAU Regional tournaments and in National Tournaments if their team
qualifies.
While our coaches will support players participating in
multiple sports, excessive absenteeism can effect playing time and lessen the
benefits of the WFBC experience.
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I am unsure which AAU basketball club to join. When do I have to decide?
This web site should
provide you with the needed information (coaches, cost, commitment,
convenience, etc.) to decide whether or not you want to join WFBC.
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