We understand that kids have a lot of choices these days with sports and extracurricular activities. In fairness to all the participants, and those who want to participate in the travel program, players must be fully committed to this program. During the winter season, the expectation for Middle School and Select/Travel players is that they make the winter basketball team their #1 commitment.
Practices are twice per week, plus additional optional training sessions. For Select and Loudoun Middle school - games are typically Sundays throughout Loudoun County, with some games in our home gyms. For teams entered into FCYBL (Fairfax travel League) - games are typically Saturdays throughout Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. There are occasional weeknight games scheduled for the older age groups and/or in the event of snow cancellations. Plan to budget 10-15 hours per week for the commitments.
Travel/Select players are not guaranteed playing time. Playing time is earned by working hard at the practice, attendance at the team training sessions, as well as attendance at all of the tournament and regular season games. It starts with the tryouts. Players that are invited to the travel tryouts must attend at least one session to be considered for the travel program. Players are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions. The more the evaluators see the players, the better chances they have to make the team.
Players must be ready to work. Hard work earns playing time. Hard work prepares players for high school and beyond. Hard work will be a part of all the travel practices and training sessions. Hard work includes working outside of the scheduled practices on the craft. Hard work is practicing hard knowing that sometimes the playing time will be limited.
Travel/Select is not for everyone. Parents need to consider carefully if travel is the right program for your child, and to be honest, for the parents as well. In addition to the role of keeping their commitment to the basketball program, parents also play a key role to keep the player's education as the primary focus. When the players are in high school, they must maintain a minimum GPA to participate in the program. SoLo cannot ask for that information due to privacy concerns. The parents must step up and make sure all of our Travel/Select athletes are maintaining good educational fitness! Not to mention serving as the role of taxi, nutritionist, equipment manager and more! Remember, Travel/Select is a commitment for the parents as much as it is for the player.
The bottom line is to carefully consider if Travel/Select is right for the player AND the family before making the commitment.
