Basketball Club Questions

What Documentation is Required?

Birth and Grade Documentation is required and must be a Certificate of Live Birth from the State, County, or Municipal Bureau of Vital Statistics at the place of birth. Hospital records or certificates are not accepted. A copy of the player’s most current report card is required as well.

Academics:

Club basketball is not a substitute for excelling in academics. Periodic checks of academic progress will be made by the club director and/or team coaches. The importance of academics will always take priority over athletics in the eyes of the club.

Attitude:

Club players and parents are expected to display proper sportsmanship and attitudes at all times (this includes at school).

Practices:

Practices are mandatory and all tournament team players are required to attend. Practices will emphasize individual fundamentals and team concepts. Missed practices are expected to be made up. Make-ups may be approved by the club director and/or team coach and will generally take place with a team one age group up. Practices will be scheduled to attempt to minimize conflicts with school activities.

The club asks for your support in allowing our coaching staff complete concentration during practices to improve our teams and players. Distractions during practice will not be allowed. Practices may be closed at the discretion of our coaches.

Individual Training:

Skills Sessions (Additional to scheduled team practice): Offering more options for players to be in the gym and improve their skills. Skills sessions will be offered multiple times per week outside of teams’ current practice times. Players will be scheduled to attend with other players within their grade range. Skill sessions will be held 3-4 days a week. This is an opportunity for players to improve their skills individually that include, but are not limited to: ball handling, shooting, making moves to basket, higher IQ, conditioning, and defense!

Practice Schedule:

The club has established relationships with area schools and rents gym space from them for practices. Scheduling practices for our many teams is a complicated process. It is the responsibility of club members to check the club’s website regularly for practice schedule updates.

Summer Practices:

The practice schedule becomes more intense in June and early July as we prepare for national tournaments. Players and parents are asked to keep this in mind as they plan vacations.

Fall/Winter Schedule:

We will play an abbreviated tournament schedule (1 to 4 tournaments) in early fall.  Practices will begin after school starts and end before youth league or schoo basketball begins.  All tournament team members should plan to participate in the Fall/Winter schedule.

Tournament Rosters:

Will be determined by the club’s coaching staff and director. Tournament team players will attend all games. Players who miss games are expected to make up missed games by dressing with an older age group team at a later tournament.

Playing Time:

Tournament teams will compete for the purpose of winning and qualifying for the next tournament level. There will be no promises of, nor any such concept as minimum playing time for team members. Although playing time is not guaranteed, the effort of the coaching staff in workouts and practices will focus on the improvement of all club members, not just tournament team members or specific players.

Parent Input:

Input is appreciated when it helps coaches get to know club members and is given in an appropriate manner. Coaches and/or team benches should not be approached at any point during a game or tournament to discuss issues of playing time or player performance. Additionally, parents should not attempt to coach their daughter from the stands during games. This is a distraction for players and coaches and could result in reduced playing time.

Projected Costs:

Players are required to join the club and purchase their uniform. Participation fees for each team will be communicated when team rosters are set. Tournaments are played on weekends and often require travel and lodging.  Players will be expected to provide their own travel and lodging. Spectators pay admission to tournament games. Playing gear (ex: shoes) needs to be supplied by the player.

Practice Gear:

Each player will supply a basketball, a jump rope, and a gym bag in which they will keep their gear. Additionally, each player should bring a spiral notebook and pencil to every practice.

Fundraising Opportunities:

Fundraising opportunitites are excellent ways to decrease the cost of participation in the club. Options include but are not limited to: team/player tax deductible sponsorships from local businesses and individuals, Club operated fundraisers and Civic Center concession opportunities. Each team is free to conduct an individual team fundraiser with club approval to help offset player participation fee costs.

Player / Parent Requirements:

Each Player Must:

  1. Pay the club membership fee of $135.00.
  2. Purchase their own uniform to keep.
  3. Raise the per-player-cost amount for their age group. Note: Each individual team in our program may opt to conduct fundraisers to offset costs. The club also offers fundraising opportunities to offset costs.
  4. Supply their own basketball and a gym bag.

All other personal expenses are paid by the player (such as travel and lodging).

Team Operation and Administration

Each team will be asked to have a position filled by a parent to help with the operation and administration of their team in coordination with the club. This position is listed below with a brief description. This spot is extremely important. Please consider if you can be of assistance to the club.

Team Administrator

Coordinates and keeps up with team activities. Sets up and conducts parent informational meetings when necessary. Ensures all team parents are informed of team/club activities, meetings, practices, and any other club business by phone, text and e-mail. (This person must have access to a personal computer since practices are frequently communicated on our Club Website – www.ladyroyals.org). Also helps to coordinate any fundraising the team participates in (Civic Center opportunities, team fundraisers, etc.).