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, plus Savannah, 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 continue training with their top teams until the National Championships, held in June and 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 offer 6 age group divisions (18's, 17's, 16's, 15's, 14’s and 13's; and sometimeseven 12's).  This allows girls to compete against each other in their same age group.  Younger players may play up in an older age group, but players are not allowed to play in a younger age group without a specific waiver.

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

FITNESS & IMPROVEMENT

You will get better! That is a guarantee.  Every time you touch the volleyball makes you better than your competition.

NEW FRIENDSHIPS

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

EXPOSURE TO COLLEGE RECRUITERS

College coaches regularly attend JO tournaments.  The majority of colleges now recruit directly from club programs.  Last year over 98% of the high school girls nationwide who received college volleyball scholarships played club.  Remember, if you want to play in college, 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 where players can receive equal training and experience compared to participating in a JO program.  For a college bound player, club is becoming a must. Consider this -- very few high school players get to compete for a state championship.  Four LCVC teams have already competed for national championships.

TOURNAMENT PLAY

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

WHY PLAY JUNIOR OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL?

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

So successful are JO programs that most college coaches recruit exclusively from the JO program ranks.  The fact is that if you plan to play in college, club is a MUST!

We find that most girls have several goals.

•            Some players want to learn more about the sport, improve their skill level, and get playing time in tournaments.

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

•            For others, it may be to challenge starters on their school team for playing time next season.

•            For a few, it will be the exposure needed to compete for future college scholarship opportunities.

Today you will find that literally all athletes who play in college participated in club volleyball during high school.  All participants enjoy competitive tournament play.  Many successful high school coaches are encouraging their athletes to play club volleyball for the experience, instruction, and additional training time.  Also, where you find successful high school programs, you will find players who participate in club volleyball.  That is a fact!

Is JO volleyball only for the college bound athlete? Certainly not!  We are interested in building teams in the younger age divisions, as young as 12 and under (ages 10 and 11 are encouraged), athletes who are just beginning their volleyball experience.  For most players, JO volleyball is simply another challenging experience that should lead 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 playing time during their high school season and find that tournament play is very rewarding.

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 a tournament.  That is Sunday afternoons (non-tournament weekends) at Bluffton HS, Hilton Head HS, HiltonHead Prep, and/or Bluffton Rec. Center; and three weeknights (Monday at Island Rec. Center and Tuesday and Thursday at Bluffton Boys & Girls Club).  We may also have additional locations for weekday practices.  Each player has to attend one of the three weekday practices and the Sunday practices are every week that we do not play in a tournament.   

Just showing up for practice isn’t enough.  We want players 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 work hard, and who are willing to cooperate with the coaches and their teammates.  If you are a lazy player or a player who does not enjoy the grind of hard practices, Club is not for you.

Commitment is vital.  If you really don’t want to participate, don’t.  Our goal and philosophy is to have a serious, competitive and intense Club, and still have fun.  We want the player who has the desire to be the best she can be.  Player discipline is absolutely essential.  Attitude and mental toughness are critical ingredients to success in Club volleyball.  Every player will be required to sign and abide by the Player Code of Ethics.  Violations of this Code will result in the 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 practice and are excused by your coach PRIOR to the practice, expect to sit on the bench for one set in the next tournament.  If you miss a practice without being excused by your coach prior to practice, but your reason for missing practice is valid (e.g., school commitment, sick), expect to sit on the bench for one match in the next tournament.  If you miss a practice and your coach does not accept your excuse as valid, expect to sit on the bench for two matches in the next tournament.  This may seem harsh, but club volleyball is for serious players and if you miss practice you are penalizing your teammates and for that there is a price to pay.

Our season will run from November through April with tournament play beginning in January.  The 2010 tournament schedule is included below.  Most Regional tournaments are Saturday only.  However, all of the major tournaments are either two or three days long.  Only our strongest teams, referred to as “power” teams, enter the major tournaments.

All players are expected to play in every tournament.  Any player that misses more than one tournament will be subject to being dropped from the club.   Just as with practice, missing tournaments penalizes your teammates and if you cannot commit to being a full team participant you should reconsider playing club.

Tryouts for everyone will be 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’s varsity team this season and/or are 16 years old or older; and Thursday evening November 19 (6-8pm) for girls who played on their middle school team or their high school’s JV team this season and/or are under 16 years old.  The Tuesday and Thursday tryouts will be at the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club.  More details about tryouts will be provided at the organizational meeting on November 11.

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

ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH USAV BEFORE THEY CAN ATTEND TRYOUTS.  If they are not registered until after November 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 essential part of a JO program, from support to transportation.  We desire to offer athletes this opportunity at the lowest cost 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; bleacher seats for buns; food, food, and more food for constant hungry athletes; a bunch of the “Gatorade Sport Bottles”; walkman or books for killing time between matches; a good map; and nerve pills for those close matches!

At the beginning of the season, all parents will be required to sign a Parent's Code of Ethics.  This Code simply requires proper behavior in order to ensure that everyone sets the best example possible for players, coaches, and officials. Violations of this Code by a parent will result in the parent being ordered from the gym and repeated violations could result in their daughter being suspended from LCVC.  Additionally, repeated violations will result in a fine by Palmetto Region.

When our teams travel and stay overnight, ALL players must stay at the same motel as the rest of their team.  Parents are encouraged to stay there too.  There are many reasons 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 policy will be dependent on sponsors offsetting the additional expenses of rental vans.

LOW COUNTRY’S TEAMS

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

For Palmetto Region’s tournaments, we will enter teams in the club or power division based on their skill and record.  For example, if we enter a team in the club division and they win consistently, they will move up to power.  So the bottom line is this – teams that should be playing at the club level will play there, but teams that have earned the right to play at a higher level (power) will do so based on performance rather than just a name.

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

CLUB FEES

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

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

Power teams - $999

Club teams - $650

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

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

•            50% by November 29, 2009

•            50% by January 24, 2010

Fees will be payable in three (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 dues will not be allowed to play in tournaments!  Additionally, any player who is late paying their club dues will be assessed an additional fee of $25 for each payment that is late.

HOW TO REDUCE CLUB FEES

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

Additionally, each team will have an adult (parent) team representative who will be responsible for coordinating food and drinks for the players at all tournaments, ensuring that everyone on the team has transportation to and from tournaments (plus practices if necessary) and that motel rooms are obtained for the team for overnight trips.  The Team Representatives will get a 25% discount off their daughter’s fees.  Team Representatives MUST have email.  To be a team representative contact your team’s coach.

Additionally, any family that 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 any questions, call Coach Stern at 705-5293, Email Spiker149@hargray.com.  Also see our web site at www.eteamz.com/LowcountryVBC. 

2010 Low Country Volleyball Club Tournament Schedule (this schedule includes all available tournaments – we will NOT enter all but dates that are BOLD indicate tournaments we WILL enter)

Players' Code of Ethics

I hereby pledge to provide positive support and encouragement for my teammates by following this Players’ Code of Ethics:

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

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

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

4.        I will encourage my teammates at all times and this encouragement will always 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 other directions that I may receive from my coaches.

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

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

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Player's Signature

Parents' Code of Ethics

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

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

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

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

4.            I will require that my daughter’s coach be fully knowledgeable of the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach.

5.            I will support coaches and officials working with my daughter in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.

6.            I will 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.            I will remember that the game is for youth - not adults.

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

9.            I will require that my daughter treat other players, coaches, fans and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed or ability.

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

_________________________             __________________________

Father's Signature                                               Mother's Signature