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About Us |
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| Welcome
to the Fencor AAU website. For those of you who
are visiting for the first time, please take a moment to read our mission
statement below. It is the crux of what Fencor is and
what Fencor does. The links should get you to the information
you want. If not call us anytime at 215- 491- 6987 |
FAQ’S ABOUT FENCOR & AAU
What is AAU?
The Amateur Athletic Union is a national organization dedicated to amateur sports and physical fitness
programs. Look on our links page for websites that will explain the national and local associations.
What is Fencor?
It is one of the largest and most successful Girls’ AAU Basketball Clubs and has been in existence for
over 20 years. The name came from a company called Fencor Graphics that was an original sponsor.
How does my daughter get on a Fencor team?
Register and come to the tryouts. Fencor has open tryouts in late February and each player has a
chance to make one of the teams. No player is guaranteed a spot on a team. She is encouraged to make
all the tryouts so that the coaches can evaluate her fairly.
How many teams are there?
There are normally 3 teams per age group that are selected by ability level during the tryouts. Coaches
may also use other settings where they have seen the player as a part of the evaluation process.
How is the age group determined?
The age as of December 31st, 2007 is the age group for that player.
What happens when tryouts conflict with other games?
Fencor does not allow high school varsity players still participating in playoffs to participate in tryouts.
All other players are expected to take advantage of all the tryouts for their age group.
What is involved in the commitment to a Fencor team?
It is expected that a player will make all the games and practices. There are always conflicts but absences
disrupt the team and are unfair to the player’s coaches and teammates. Communication with the coaches is
crucial about these items. A player has to be able to make the District tournament.
What about the time involved?
There are at least two practices during the week from March through June. Teams will play in 6 to 10
tournaments on weekends.
Is there fund raising for that kind of thing?
Each team does its own fundraising and that and some other functions are coordinated by the Team
Manager which is a volunteer parent that coordinates all the non-coaching issues for each team.
What are the qualifications to be a Fencor Coach?
The club looks for people: that can meet the demanding time commitment, have some knowledge of the
game from playing and/or coaching, and can organize and manage practices and games. At least as
important as that skill set is that the coach can keep winning in perspective, handle varying levels
of parental interest, create a team atmosphere, and understand the important impact a coach can have
on a young player. Different age levels clearly need coaches with different abilities and outlooks.
The club has a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse History Clearance done on each potential
coach. We try hard not to have a parent coach a Fencor team with his or her child on that team.
What about communications?
This crucial aspect is covered on the team level by meeting with the coaches and team managers. The club
communicates through the website and newsletters or individually by phone at 215-491-6987.
How are the registration fees used?
About 80% goes to tournament fees and gym rentals for practice and the remaining goes to insurance,
coaches' expenses, tryout costs, and equipment.
Why don't I get a full refund if my daughter does not make the team?
The $50 that is not returned is used to help defray tryout costs. It would be unfair for just those
families who make a team to pay for all those that tryout. Some families 'shop' at various AAU clubs
tryouts to determine which is best for their child and have a responsibility to share in those costs.
The financial commitment tends to make the tryout more important.
Why don't I get ANY refund if I don't like the team my daughter makes?
Here's a scenario that explains this policy. If the parents were displeased with the situation on a "B"
team, for instance, a week into practices and withdrew their daughter, then that team is disrupted. Also
a player on a "C" team won't be on that "B" team and a player who was cut from the "C" team won't play on
any team. We want to discourage this from happening because of these unhappy results.
What other costs are a part of playing for Fencor?
If you are a new player then there is a uniform cost, any shared cost among your team for any tournaments
past the first 3 full tournaments and the Regionals paid for by your registration fees. If your team
travels to non-local tournaments or qualifies for Nationals then there are significant additional costs
including travel, room and board, etc.
What are Fencor's goals?
For the players to grow as people and players, for the team to play as well as it can, and for everyone
to have some fun.
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Fencor AAU Mission and Philosophy Statement
The Fencor Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Club is constantly striving to maintain its position as the
premiere non-profit organization for the development of girls basketball in the Mid-Atlantic region.
It will continue to have a positive National and Regional presence and reputation by competing at the
highest levels. Fencor, which is open to all interested players, will always be known as a teaching
organization that help its athletes on and off the court. This help runs the gamut from reinforcing
positive values to educating the players about college opportunities that are available.
Fencor recognizes the priorities of family, religion,
and school, and enthusiastically accepts its role as a basketball related complement to those
important responsibilities and relationships. At the same time we value and respect the benefits
of participation in the game of basketball and will continue to treat the game for what it is- a
chance for players to have fun, learn to compete and to grow as individuals.
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