Our Philosophy

The Potomac Valley Vogues Basketball Club is organized to promote youth basketball in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area.  Player development follows our two-fold approach: To enhance the quality of play of each player through coaching and skills development, and to prepare for national competition through coaching skills development and competitive scheduling.  The Vogues Basketball club has been an AAU affiliated club since 1979.  The Vogues organization is committed to helping student-athletes ages 9 through 18 improve their individual basketball skills and develop their understanding of how to integrate those skills into a team environment by providing knowledgeable coaching along with the opportunity to play with and against high level competition.  Vogues understands the priorities of family, faith, and school; and accepts its role as a complement to those important responsibilities and relationships.  Vogues believes in the benefit of participating in the team game of basketball as an opportunity for players to learn, compete, and grow as individuals.

Amateur Athletic Union

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States.  A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.

The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sport.  During its early years the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations.  The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games.  After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level.  The philosophy of “Sports for All, Forever,” is shared by over 500,000 participants and over 50,000 volunteers.  The AAU is divided into 56 distinct Districts.  These Districts annually sanction more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 30,000 age division events.

Amateur Athletic Union

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States.  A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.

The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sport.  During its early years the AAU served as a leader in international sport representing the U.S. in the international sports federations.  The AAU worked closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic games.  After the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, the AAU has focused its efforts into providing sports programs for all participants of all ages beginning at the grass roots level.  The philosophy of “Sports for All, Forever,” is shared by over 500,000 participants and over 50,000 volunteers.  The AAU is divided into 56 distinct Districts.  These Districts annually sanction more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 30,000 age division events.

Program Costs

2024 PROGRAM DUES

3rd to 6th Grades  –  $150 per player
7th to 11th Grades –  $275 per player
This fee covers program expenses such as: AAU membership for coaches, Fairfax County gym use fee(s), equipment, and administrative costs such as insurance, storage fees, PO Box rental fee, and website costs. Payments will be accepted via check or through TeamSnap. Checks should be made out to “Vogues Basketball” and given to your head coach at the conclusion of the final tryout after team selection.

TYPICAL SEASON COST

Uniform, shooting shirt, practice jersey and bag will be purchased separately at an approximate cost of $150. Each head coach will coordinate the uniform purchase through Cassel’s Sporting Goods. In addition to the program dues and uniform costs, teams pay a tournament entry fee for each tournament played. Tournament entry fees vary but are typically in the range of $400. The number of tournaments entered is decided by the head coach for each team. Coaches’ out-of-town travel/lodging costs are part of the cost shared by the team. The number of out-of-town trips is set by the head coach for each team. Below is an example of season cost on a team and player basis. This amount could be higher or lower. Please discuss team cost with your daughter’s head coach.

EXAMPLE PLAYER SHARE OF TEAM EXPENSES

12 player team
  • 9 tournaments (7 local, 2 out-of-town) @ $400 each = $3,600
  • Out-of-town tournament #1 Coaches expenses: $50 for mileage, $250 for lodging, $35 per day per diem x 2 days = $370
  • Out-of-town tournament #2 Coaches expenses: $65 for mileage, $250 for lodging, $35 per day per diem x 2 days = $385

Total team expense: $4,365

Per player expense = $4,365 / 12 = $362.92 each

Parent/Coach Relationship

Parent/Coach Relationship

The AAU Spring season is an intense ~5 month basketball experience.  Between practices and games coaches, players and parents will spend an enormous amount of time together.  By establishing an understanding of each coach’s philosophy regarding player commitment, behavior and playing time; players and parents are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to the players.  Parents have a right to understand what expectations are placed on players.  This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child’s team.

 

Communication You Should Expect From Coaches
  • The coach’s philosophy so that players and parents gain an understanding of what the coach is looking for in terms of player behavior and commitment
  • The coach’s philosophy on playing time to help players and parents gain insight into what the coach is attempting to accomplish during games
  • Any other expectations the coach has for your daughter as well as all the players on the team
  • A tournament schedule to include any out of town trips and possible participation in an AAU National Championship tournament
  • A team budget for all tournaments entered
  • Actions that may impact your daughter’s participation (e.g. missed practices)

As representatives of the Vogues organization players are expected to exhibit a high level of sportsmanship during practice and games. There is also a level of commitment that each coach will communicate to the players and parents.

 

Communication Coaches Expect From Parents
  • Concerns expressed directly to the coach with regard to the coach’s philosophy and/or expectations
  • Notification of any schedule conflicts

Participation in AAU basketball with the Vogues offers players the opportunity to experience some of the most challenging and rewarding moments of their athletic lives.  Sometimes events will not go as players want.  As part of the maturing process, we ask that the player approach the coach to discuss the player’s concerns.

 

Appropriate Topics For Parents To Discuss With Coaches
  • The treatment of your child
  • Strengths and weaknesses in your daughter’s game and ways to help your child improve
  • Concerns about your child’s behavior

Coaches make many decisions in an attempt to optimize the performance of the team to reach a team objective.  The team objective may have a limited amount to do with what the results are in any specific game.  Perceived lack of playing time can be a frustrating experience for player and parent.  The Vogues organization does not impose a particular philosophy concerning playing time on its coaches.  We ask that players and parents exhibit some level of patience as the AAU season can consist of more than 40 games.

 

Issues Not Appropriate for Parents to Discuss With Your Coach
  • Playing time
  • Team strategy
  • Play calling
  • Other players

Some situations may require a discussion between the coach and the parent.  It is important that both parents and coaches have a clear understanding of the other’s position.  When such discussions are necessary we ask that parents wait at least 24 hours before scheduling the meeting to allow for a cooling off period.  Do not attempt to confront a coach before/after a practice or a game.

 

Coaches Code of Conduct

As a positive role model for young athletes,  Vogues coaches are expected to practice the highest ethical practices while promoting the spirit of fair competition.  We must display the highest degree of integrity and coaching professionalism in dealing with the players, opponents, fans, and officials.  Vogues coaches are committed to fair play, ethical behavior, and integrity at all times.  Additionally, Vogues coaches must:

  1. Never solicit or recruit a player to enroll in any particular school
  2. Respect the HS season. Vogues coaches will not have coaching contacts with Vogues players from the first day of HS practice until the final game of the season
  3. Attempt to maintain open communication with each player’s high school coach
  4. If asked to participate in the college recruiting process, attempt to include the high school coach in that process
  5. Never evaluate a player based upon the school she attends, personal relationships, or any other factors unrelated to normal evaluation criteria

Any alleged infractions of the above code should be brought before the Advisory Board for action.