Downriver Mustangs: Mustang News: Club Mission & Expectations

Club Mission & Expectations
The Downriver Mustangs Basketball Club’s mission is twofold, to improve the level of play for girls’ basketball in southern Wayne and northern Monroe Counties and to help the personal growth of team members through hard work, hustle, unselfish play, attention to detail, mutual sacrifice and adherence to a ‘team first’ attitude.

Priorities

In order they are God, Family, Health, Academics, Basketball and then everything else. If a player misses a practice/scrimmage/game due to the demands of any of the higher priorities it is her job to catch up on any new material introduced at the function which she missed.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PLAYERS


Team


The members of this team comprise just that, a team. No one member of the team is more important than another. Selfish play, 'attitude' and/or a personal agenda will not be tolerated. Get to know your teammates. The team's success is dependent upon how quickly the 12 individuals become a 'team'.


Playing Time

No player is guaranteed playing time. All playing time is earned through hard work, hustle, paying attention at practices, scrimmages and games, and improvement in basketball and personal skills. While some team members will play more than others, the goal of this Club is to help develop the skills of all the team members.

Attendance

Each player is expected to attend every team function be it a practice, scrimmage, game or team get-together. However, things do come up and basketball is only the fifth most important thing in life. Therefore if a player can't make a team function it is the PLAYER'S responsibility to notify either Coach Shores or Coach Boggs by phone or e-mail as far in advance as possible. This is subject to the modification as listed on page 3 'Player Availability-AQT's & State Tournament'.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS

General
Trust the Coaches. They have the best interest of all 12 girls at heart. They have no 'agenda' except to help all the girls improve. The Parents and the Coach should also be a team, jointly working to facilitate the girls' collective and individual growth. Parents are encouraged to attend as many practices as they wish. While at practice, a parent can see how hard his/her daughter is working and what skills she is learning. However, please remember that silence is golden at practices. If you want to help with practice, please contact the Coach beforehand to see what can be arranged. During scrimmages and games each parent should be a fan of the team. Encourage ALL the members of the team. Applaud every great effort, not just those of your daughter. Be concerned with how the Team is playing, not just if and/or how well your daughter is playing. Don't focus on the refereeing. Instead focus on our team and providing encouragement and praise toward all the Mustangs. Don't 'coach' your daughter during a game or scrimmage. The Coach will do that. Applaud the efforts of her and her teammates instead. Understand that great athletic ability is a gift, but hustle, dedication and commitment are personal choices. Every 'hustle' play during a scrimmage and game should be rewarded with cheers and applause from the fans, players and coaches. Once paid, the player fee for the season is non-refundable
Concerns and Feedback

If you need to discuss a concern or have feedback for the Coach, please make an appointment for either before or after the next team function. Any such meeting should include the parent, player and Coach. Before, during or immediately after a game is NOT an appropriate time to discuss your concerns or to schedule a meeting. Energy levels for all concerned may be running high. For everyone's benefit, wait at least until the next day to contact the Coach. At any such meeting please remember that everyone in the room is concerned with your daughter's well-being. Instead of raising a concern such as 'Why doesn't my daughter play more?' a more appropriate concern may be 'What can my daughter do to earn more playing time?' Let's work together to put the responsibility where it should be-with the player.

WINNING

During the Season

Winning every game during the 'regular season' is desirous, but will not be the team's only focus. We will win our fair share of games and the more we improve as a team the more games we will win. The purpose of the regular season is to develop the entire team. Sometimes the only way to do this is to give different players the opportunity to perform at critical times in a game. If winning every single game during the 'regular season' is of all consuming importance to you, the Downriver Mustangs are not the club for you.

AQT & State Tournament Time

Winning during the Area Qualifying Tournament and (if we qualify) the State Tournament, is the Club's ultimate goal. Playing times may be significantly different during these tournaments than they are during the 'regular season'.

PLAYER AVAILABILITY

Regular season

Every player is expected to be available for every practice, scrimmage and game.

AQT & State Tournament

Every player will make certain she is available for the weekend of AQT's and for the following weekend for the State Tournament. This is mandatory. Last year AQT's were held on the last weekend of April and States were the first weekend of May. That schedule is not expected to change this season. However, scheduling those tournaments is up to the AAU, not the Club. If a player can't be available for these two weekends, she should wait for next season when she can be available to become a member of the Downriver Mustangs.