Update on the DFAC Falcon Competitive Basketball Program

In December of 2005 DFAC held tryouts for boys and girls teams in grades 3-8. With moderate interest we went forward to build teams to play in local competitive leagues and tournaments. Initially interest was low and we had to combine some age groups to form teams. DFAC also started moving away from using parents to coach and train teams to using professional trainers to run most practices. Overall success was very good and DFAC set up a formal coaching and training that we planned to implement in August of 2006.

As school started in August we had a set back with regards to gym restrictions and leadership as our new program director left to take a position elsewhere just as we were putting our plan into motion. We went forward with building teams for the 2006-2007 year although with the last minute changes including no program director and several last minute coaching changes we did not do a good job of getting the word out to all. We decided to go forward with the teams we had in place and added coaches and players to fill in open spots with the hopes that we could do a better job of spreading the word about the DFAC Falcon program for future years. We have spent the past 7 months developing a long-term training program along with training a committed program Director.

First, we would like to announce that Tyler Dummett will be named our DFAC Director of Coaching and Training. Tyler joined us last Spring to work with our 7th our 8th grade teams taking over the coaching and training duties. He continued in this role for the Fall and Winter seasons in addition to working on the High School staff at Cactus Shadows High School. Starting immediately Tyler will expand his role with DFAC and take over the Director role with DFAC.

Next, we would like to announce that we will hold tryouts for all teams each August and teams will stay together for one year. Dates will be set early this summer. Also, over the next couple of weeks we will hold open training sessions run by trainers from our competitive program. At these open sessions we will evaluate players and interest with the prospect of adding new teams to the DFAC Falcon Competitive program. If we feel there is enough interest in forming new teams we will do so starting with the Spring season. We will only form new teams where there is sufficient interest from new players with a strong commitment to training. We will also run developmental clinics in April and May with dates TBD.

The Open Training sessions will be geared towards the player looking for more competitive basketball than our recreational league and is open to any DFAC players. The training sessions will be run by the DFAC training staff with the focus on developing individual basketball skills while introducing advanced techniques. Any players interested in the competitive program this Spring or in the future should attend as many of these sessions as possible. The Open Training schedule will be posted on the DFAC Falcon website.