Frequently Asked Questions

This crucial aspect is covered on the team level by meeting with the coaches and team managers. Coaches may also post information on their individual team pages. These pages also have coach, assistant coach, and manager contact information. Head Coach and staff contacts can be located on our Contacts page.

The club communicates through the website and newsletters and individually by phone at 412-370-4743.

To sign up for occasional emails from the Bruins, complete our sign-up form on the Home page. If you have more than one child interested in playing for the Bruins, when you receive our emails, there will be a link at the bottom where you can manage your preferences. Click the link and you can check off the grade levels you’re interest in. You can opt out from our emails easily, at any time.

The WPA Bruins have established a need basis scholarship program. If your daughter makes a team and your family is in need of financial assistance, please inform her coach immediately.

The AAU program is much more competitive than recreational or local select leagues because it involves athletes from different communities playing on the same team, resulting in a better talent pool. Recreational leagues, on the other hand, consist of teams from one town or school, which means a smaller pool and less competition for team selection.

The AAU program is a bigger time commitment than a recreational league, with practices during the week and games and tournaments on the weekends. It is also important to keep in mind that players who are unable to attend practice will also miss out on understanding what was covered in practice (for example, learning a play). Therefore, missed practices may have a significant impact on playing time.

Yes, your child can still play AAU Basketball. WPA Bruins AAU teams have practices during the week. Games and tournaments are typically on weekends (some tournaments start on Friday evenings).

There are generally 2 teams (White & Black) per grade that are selected by ability level during the tryouts. Based on the number of players, there may be three or more teams.

Unlike some programs, AAU DOES NOT GUARANTEE playing time for any player. Coaches must weigh a number of factors to determine which players will start and who will be subbed in at every game. Coaches generally do not keep track of individuals player’s playing time. If at any time you are concerned about your child’s playing time, please discuss this with the coach away from the event, never immediately after the game. Please keep in mind the broader goals of the program before taking issue with any player’s playing time.

Each grade level will have 2-3 (2) hour tryout sessions. Players are expected to attend all tryout sessions. See our Tryout page for updated times and dates.

Notification to John Tate at info@wpabruins.org should be made immediately if a player cannot attend a tryout session and would still like to be considered for a team. Our staff will work with the parent in order to determine if the player should attend another tryout session. Payment is not refunded if a player cannot make a scheduled tryout session.

Tryout locations vary and will be posted on the Tryout page.

Tryout fee is $15 in advance or $20 at the tryout. No refunds are granted if a player misses a tryout session or cannot attend all sessions.

To register and pay prior to the tryout, please visit our Tryouts page.

Bruins teams are based on grade level.

For information about AAU and to view the complete eligibility rules and age chart, go to AAUGirlsBasketball.org

The Bruins coaching staff selects players based on a scoring system and observation.

Players are put through basic basketball drills to evaluate his/her work ethic, hustle, attitude, shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and defensive skills. Hard work, hustle, and good attitude are contributing factors in team selection. Even if a player has a difficult session and his/her shooting or game is “off” that session, other factors are still considered. All players are put through the same drills to ensure that the tryout process is fair.

The WPA Bruins do not allow high school varsity players still participating in state or district playoffs to participate in tryouts due to the possibility of injury. All other players are expected to take advantage of ALL OF THE TRYOUTS for their grade. It’s impossible to schedule tryouts without scheduling conflicts for travel or grade school games.

Players can have wide variety of basketball experience. It is important to remember because we are drawing from multiple communities, AAU teams are more competitive than most recreational, middle school, or CYO teams. We recommend your child have at least one year of experience in a competitive league or on a travel team.

Parent confirmation is required within 24 hours of notification of team selection. This occurs by replying affirmatively to the e-mail from the coach. In addition, both players and parents must attend the WPA Bruins Pre-Season Meeting, which explains the overall program objectives and expectations. A partial payment is due at this meeting. Parents are notified of the date and time of the meeting shortly after the teams are finalized.

Deciding who makes each team is not an exact science. WPA Bruins staff will do their best to identify the top players. It is important to remember that all teams need different kinds of players to be successful. If you feel strongly that your child should have been selected to a team, contact John Tate directly.

We understand that not getting selected to a team is a heartbreaking experience for any child. It is important that you explain to your child that giving his/her best effort is most important. You can share that many good players have not been selected to a team at one time or another. Michael Jordan, for example, didn’t make his high school team once. Players should evaluate the areas in which they need improvement and work to improve skills.

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