GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT CLUB VOLLEYBALL AND THE LOWCOUNTRY VOLLEYBALL CLUB (LCVC)

WHAT IS CLUB VOLLEYBALL?

USA Junior Olympic (JO)Volleyball or Club Volleyball offers athletes the opportunity to playvolleyball after their high school season.  Club Volleyball is an avenue for girls 12 to 18 to play incompetitive tournaments and get advanced training.    The number of girls playing club has more thantripled in the last five years in the Palmetto Region (South Carolina, plusSavannah, GA).  The number of girlswho are playing club ball in the United States is over 150,000.  Our JO Club season runs from Novemberuntil April.  A few clubs continuetraining with their top teams until the National Championships, held in Juneand early July. 

Club volleyball providesadditional training, knowledge, and tournament play.  Players will be placed on a team based on their age andskill level.  Most tournaments offer6 age group divisions (18's, 17's, 16's, 15's, 14’s and 13's; and sometimeseven 12's).  This allows girls tocompete against each other in their same age group.  Younger players may play up in an older age group, butplayers are not allowed to play in a younger age group without a specificwaiver.

Each player has adifferent experience as a club member. Naturally, some players are more successful than are others.  Players who put more effort into theprogram get more out of it.  Thefollowing are some of the benefits of the JO program:

FITNESS & IMPROVEMENT

You will get better! Thatis a guarantee.  Every time youtouch the volleyball makes you better than your competition.

NEW FRIENDSHIPS

Bringing girls togetherwith similar goals from various schools makes friendships.  The relationships that have been formedthrough practice and team play will be friendships that last a lifetime.

EXPOSURE TO COLLEGE RECRUITERS

College coaches regularlyattend JO tournaments.  Themajority of colleges now recruit directly from club programs.  Last year over 98% of the high schoolgirls nationwide who received college volleyball scholarships played club.  Remember, if you want to play incollege, plan to play club!

INVESTMENT IN YOUR ATHLETE

The training, knowledge,self-esteem and experience your daughter will receive will be priceless.  You will not find an alternative whereplayers can receive equal training and experience compared to participating ina JO program.  For a college boundplayer, club is becoming a must. Consider this -- very few high school players get to compete for a statechampionship.  Three LCVBC teamshave already competed for national championships.

TOURNAMENT PLAY

JO Tournaments are wherethe hard practice pays off and many favorable memories are made.  Understand that practice and trainingis where you receive the most instruction and experience.  Tournament play is only a supplement toparticipating in Club.   Club tournaments are usually far more competitive and more physicallydemanding than high school matches.

WHY PLAY JUNIOR OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL?

JO volleyball programshave exploded all across the country. Only 25 years ago, the first National tournament was held, and only 20teams made the trip.  Today, incontrast, the National Tournament held in 2009 hosted over 700 teams, wasplayed on over 40 courts, and lasted 12 days.  National Qualifiers like the one in Atlanta are evenlarger.  In 2007 this tournamenthad over 950 teams on 94 courts for 3 days.

So successful are JOprograms that most college coaches recruit exclusively from the JO programranks.  The fact is that if youplan to play in college, club is a MUST!

We find that most girlshave several goals.

•            Someplayers want to learn more about the sport, improve their skill level, and getplaying time in tournaments.

•            Forothers, it's simply to extend their high school season by 6 months.

•            Forothers, it may be to challenge starters on their school team for playing timenext season.

•            Fora few, it will be the exposure needed to compete for future college scholarshipopportunities.

Today you will find thatliterally all athletes who play in college participated in club volleyballduring high school.  Allparticipants enjoy competitive tournament play.  Many successful high school coaches are encouraging theirathletes to play club volleyball for the experience, instruction, andadditional training time.  Also,where you find successful high school programs, you will find players whoparticipate in club volleyball. That is a fact!

Is JO volleyball only forthe college bound athlete? Certainly not!  We areinterested in building teams in the younger age divisions, as young as 12 andunder (ages 10 and 11 are encouraged), athletes who are just beginning theirvolleyball experience.  For mostplayers, JO volleyball is simply another challenging experience that shouldlead to a lot more fun on the court as playing skills improve.  Many girls find that club ball is“their volleyball season” due to the fact that they experience little playingtime during their high school season and find that tournament play is veryrewarding.

WHAT WILL BE YOUR COMMITMENT?

Clubs vary in goals,philosophy, cost, coaching, intensity, and tournament travel.

Low Country VolleyballClub will hold practices four times per week when we do not have atournament.  That is Sundayafternoons (non-tournament weekends) at Bluffton HS, Hilton Head HS, HiltonHead Prep, and/or Bluffton Rec. Center, and three weeknights (Monday at IslandRec. Center and Tuesday and Thursday at Bluffton Boys & Girls Club).  We may also have additional locationsfor weekday practices.  Each playerhas to attend one of the three weekday practices and the Sunday practices areevery week that we do not play in a tournament.   

Just showing up forpractice isn’t enough.  We wantplayers who are punctual (be ready to play BEFORE the announced start time),who stay for the entire practice, who are in the proper frame of mind to workhard, and who are willing to cooperate with the coaches and theirteammates.  If you are a lazyplayer or a player who does not enjoy the grind of hard practices, Club is notfor you.

Commitment is vital.  If you really don’t want toparticipate, don’t.  Our goal andphilosophy is to have a serious, competitive and intense Club, and still havefun.  We want the player who hasthe desire to be the best she can be. Player discipline is absolutely essential.  Attitude and mental toughness are critical ingredients tosuccess in Club volleyball.  Everyplayer will be required to sign and abide by the Player Code of Ethics.  Violations of this Code will result inthe player being suspended for a set, match, tournament, or the season,depending on the frequency and seriousness of the offense(s).

If you miss a practiceand are excused by your coach PRIOR to the practice, expect to sit on the benchfor one set in the next tournament. If you miss a practice without being excused by your coach prior topractice, but your reason for missing practice is valid (e.g., schoolcommitment, sick), expect to sit on the bench for one match in the nexttournament.  If you miss a practiceand your coach does not accept your excuse as valid, expect to sit on the benchfor two matches in the next tournament. This may seem harsh, but club volleyball is for serious players and ifyou miss practice you are penalizing your teammates and for that there is aprice to pay.

Our season will run fromNovember through April with tournament play beginning in January.  The 2010 tournament schedule isincluded below.  Most Regionaltournaments are Saturday only. However, all of the major tournaments are either two or three dayslong.  Only our strongest teams,referred to as “power” teams, enter the major tournaments.

All players are expectedto play in every tournament.  Any player that misses more than one tournament will be subject to beingdropped from the club.   Justas with practice, missing tournaments penalizes your teammates and if youcannot commit to being a full team participant you should reconsider playingclub.

Tryouts for everyone willbe conducted on Sunday afternoons, November 15 and 22 (1-4pm) at Bluffton HS;Tuesday evening November 17 (6-8pm) for girls who played on their school’svarsity team this season and/or are 16 years old or older; and Thursday eveningNovember 19 (6-8pm) for girls who played on their middle school team or theirhigh school’s JV team this season and/or are under 16 years old.  The Tuesday and Thursday tryouts willbe at the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club. More details about tryouts will be provided at the organizationalmeeting on November 11.

All players must pay $25on or before November 15 to attend the tryouts, and whether they stay for theseason or not they get a Low Country Club T-shirt to keep. 

ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH USAV BEFORETHEY CAN ATTEND TRYOUTS.  If they are not registered until afterNovember 15 they must pay a $10 late fee. In order to register with USAV go to: http://www.palmettovb.com/registration/Registration.asp

PARENTS

Parents are an essentialpart of a JO program, from support to transportation.  We desire to offer athletes this opportunity at the lowestcost possible.  Fund-raising andsponsorships are always needed to keep fees to a minimum.  Parents play a big part in helping.

You will need a“Tournament Survival Kit”: chairs for gyms with too little seating; bleacherseats for buns; food, food, and more food for constant hungry athletes; a bunchof the “Gatorade Sport Bottles”; walkman or books for killing time betweenmatches; a good map; and nerve pills for those close matches!

At the beginning of theseason, all parents will be required to sign a Parent's Code of Ethics.  This Code simply requires properbehavior in order to ensure that everyone sets the best example possible forplayers, coaches, and officials. Violations of this Code by a parent will result in the parent beingordered from the gym and repeated violations could result in their daughterbeing suspended from LCVC. Additionally, repeated violations will result in a fine by PalmettoRegion.

When our teams travel andstay overnight, ALL players must stay at the same motel as the rest of theirteam.  Parents are encouraged tostay there too.  There are manyreasons for this policy but team bonding is the most important.

For major tournaments(power teams only) all players will travel together in a 15-passanger van.  Complete implementation of this policywill be dependent on sponsors offsetting the additional expenses of rentalvans.

LOW COUNTRY’S TEAMS

This season we will onceagain have teams in two categories – power and club.  Power teams will attend at least three Palmetto Regiontournaments and at least four major tournaments.  Club teams will attend all Palmetto Region tournaments andpossibly one major tournament.

For Palmetto Region’stournaments, we will enter teams in the club or power division based on theirskill and record.  For example, ifwe enter a team in the club division and they win consistently, they will moveup to power.  So the bottom line isthis – teams that should be playing at the club level will play there, butteams that have earned the right to play at a higher level (power) will do sobased on performance rather than just a name.

All of our teams willnormally have nine (9) players but there could be exceptions to this rule.   For example, it is not unusualthat we keep more players on our youngest team.

CLUB FEES

Club fees include entryin every Palmetto Region tournament; one uniform; and fees for coach’s travel,equipment, gym rentals, etc.  Thefees do NOT cover player or parent’s travel, or out-of-Region tournaments.  Power fees include entry in PalmettoRegion tournaments and major tournaments outside the Region, as well as asecond uniform shirt.  If a teamqualifies for post-season play there will be additional entry fees as well asadditional travel expenses.

Like everything else, thecost of club volleyball is increasing, primarily because gyms that used to bedonated free for practices and tournaments are now charging rental fees.  And those fees may go up every year asthe cost of utilities goes up.  Sothis season our two-tier fee structure will be as follows:

Power teams - $999

Club teams - $650

Club teams wishing topurchase a second uniform can do so at their own expense.

Fees will be payable intwo (2) installments for club players:

•            50%by November 29, 2009

•            50%by January 24, 2010

Fees will be payable inthree (3) installments for power players:

•            40%by November 29, 2009

•            30%by January 24, 2010

•            30%by February 21, 2010

ANYONE WHO PAYS 100% OF THEIR CLUB DUES ON OR BEFORENOVEMBER 29 WILL RECEIVE A $50 DISCOUNT ON THEIR DUES.

Any player who is delinquent in their club dueswill not be allowed to play in tournaments!  Additionally, any player who is late paying their club dueswill be assessed an additional fee of $25 for each payment that is late.

HOW TO REDUCE CLUB FEES

Several fund-raisingprojects will be offered to help players cover their Club fees.  Someone who is aggressive could pay forher entire season through fund raising. Last season a number of girls did just that.  Examples of fundraising will betalked about at the organizational meeting.

Additionally, each teamwill have an adult (parent) team representative who will be responsible forcoordinating food and drinks for the players at all tournaments, ensuring thateveryone on the team has transportation to and from tournaments (plus practicesif necessary) and that motel rooms are obtained for the team for overnighttrips.  The Team Representativeswill get a 25% discount off their daughter’s fees.  Team Representatives MUST have email.  To be a team representative contactyour team’s coach.

Additionally, any familythat has more than one daughter playing with the club will receive a 33%discount for the daughter with the lowest or equal dues.

If you have anyquestions, call Coach Stern at 705-5293, Email Spiker149@hargray.com.  Also see our web site atwww.eteamz.com/LowcountryVBC. 

2010 Low Country Volleyball Club Tournament Schedule (thisschedule includes all available tournaments – we will NOT enter all but datesthat are BOLD indicate tournaments we WILL enter)

Players' Code of Ethics

I hereby pledge toprovide positive support and encouragement for my teammates by following thisPlayers’ Code of Ethics:

1.        I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive supportfor all players, coaches, and officials at every tournament, match, set, andpractice.

2.        I will place the emotional and physical well being of my teammates aheadof my personal desire to win.

3.        I will treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respectregardless of race, sex, creed or ability.

4.        I will encourage my teammates at all times and this encouragement willalways be positive in nature, whether I am playing or on the bench.

5.        I will not criticize my teammates or coaches to anyone at anytime.

6.        I will arrive at practice on time (or early) and will not leave early;if I must miss practice I will contact my coach in advance to be excused.

7.        I will observe all training rules, curfews when traveling, and otherdirections that I may receive from my coaches.

8.        I will do everything I can to foster a playing and practice atmospherethat makes volleyball fun for everyone. 

9.        I will be prepared to play positions that are not my usual positionbecause I know that when asked to do so it is for the good of the team.

____________________________

Player's Signature

Parents' Code of Ethics

I hereby pledge toprovide positive support, care, and encouragement for my daughter'sparticipation in volleyball by following this Parents’ Code of Ethics:

1.            Iwill encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for allplayers, coaches, and officials at every tournament and in every match and set.

2.            Iwill place the emotional and physical well being of my daughter ahead of mypersonal desire to win. 

3.            Iwill insist that my daughter play in a safe and healthy environment.

4.            Iwill require that my daughter’s coach be fully knowledgeable of theresponsibilities of being a youth sports coach.

5.            Iwill support coaches and officials working with my daughter in order toencourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.

6.            Iwill demand a sports environment for my daughter that is free from drugs,tobacco, and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all volleyball events.

7.            Iwill remember that the game is for youth - not adults.

8.            Iwill do my very best to make volleyball fun for my daughter.

9.            Iwill require that my daughter treat other players, coaches, fans and officialswith respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.

10.            Iwill not question my daughter’s coach about playing time or what positions mydaughter plays during a set, match or tournament.

_________________________             __________________________

Father's Signature                                               Mother's Signature