Milton Aces Volleyball Club: Ace's VBC Parent Manual

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Milton Aces Volleyball Club

Parent/Player Information Manual

Table of Contents

            Page                Subject

              2                    Welcome to Milton Aces Volleyball

              2                    What is Club Volleyball?

              3                    Dues, Fees, and Methods of Payments

              3                   Team Selection and Tryouts

              4                    “Elite” Level Teams

              4                    Parent Responsibility

              5                    Electronic Communication

              5                    Uniform Policy

              5                    Overnight Tournaments

              6                    Practices

              6                    School Sport Athletes

              6                    Player Movement to Other Teams

              7                    Playing Time

              7                    Bad Weather Conditions

              8                    Fundraising and Sponsors

              9                    Volunteer and Team Parent Rep

              10                  How to Be a Great Fan

              11                  Player & Parent Signature page

              12                  Team Parent Volunteer Sign-up

The purpose of having a parent/player manual is to have you become familiar with Milton Aces VBC.  Most, if not all, of your questions can be answered in this manual.  Keep this as an electronic copy for yourself, refer to it on-line at our club’s website, and/or print your own hard copy for your personal files.  Player and a parent will need to sign the signature page (11) to show you are well informed of our club policies and procedures.

Milton Aces Volleyball Club Board

WELCOME TO MILTON ACES VBC

Welcome to the Milton Aces Volleyball Club. We are a local, non-profit organization. The club functions under the guidelines of Badger Region Volleyball Association.  Milton Aces VBC is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the area junior volleyball players, who want to play at various competitive levels and who love the sport of volleyball! 

 Milton Aces uses the support of a Volleyball Club Board to help the director with club decisions and responsibilities.  This board is made up of volunteers and parents who have an invested interest in the sport of volleyball.  The club has an established website, miltonaces.com, which is maintained throughout the year, helping to keep their members and local community informed of volleyball opportunities and activities.

 Milton Aces VBC was founded in the fall of 2002 for the main purpose of promoting and developing competitive volleyball in the Milton area.   This club started with two team age groups, one 14s and one 15s.  In the past years, the Milton Aces has grown from 20 female players and 3 coaches to over 100 participants.  Many of the age groups have more than one team, offering different levels of play to a variety of talent from developmental to highly competitive.

The Aces VBC offers competitive levels of volleyball within each age group, from 12 years and under to 17 years and under teams.  They usually play against teams in the surrounding areas, from Madison to Wisconsin Dells to Milwaukee area, mostly within the Badger Volleyball Region Association.  Teams also compete in the Rockford area and occasional tournaments in other parts of the state.  The tournaments allow for players to apply their talents and skills to a competitive setting against other highly skilled teams and players.

The club has assisted with fall and spring skills clinics to the younger players in the area.  In past years Milton Aces has sponsored a 4 X 4 summer outdoor tournament for young teens as part of the Milton 4^th of July celebration.  Milton Aces continues to donate money to the Milton Schools to improve facilities and equipment in appreciation for the use of their school gym space.  The club wants to continue to develop players in the area, but, more importantly, promote the sport of volleyball.

WHAT IS CLUB VOLLEYBALL?

In general, Club Volleyball is an opportunity for athletes to extend their school volleyball season, play at a competitive level, travel to compete, make new friends, and learn new techniques on an organized level.  Milton Aces volleyball, presently, has teams that compete at the following age levels:  12’s, 13’s, 14’s, 15’s, 16’s, and 17’s.  Players who compete in club volleyball programs can gain great benefits, enhancing their volleyball experience, whether it be school or leisure.

DUES, FEES, AND METHODS OF PAYMENTS

Once a player is accepted their offer to the club and signs (or emails) a player contract, parents (guardians) are responsible for full payment of all club dues and fees for the entire club season.  Non-participation or injuries is not an automatic excuse from paying dues.  Accepting a spot with the club means acceptance of that financial responsibility to the club.  There will be two payment dates for Regional teams:  the last Monday in November and the final payment on the second Monday in January.  A third payment is added for the Elite teams on the first Monday of February.  Each of these payments will be presented to the club in separate checks, each dated for the due dates at the required parent/player meeting in late November.

Failure to pay on time may result in non-participation by the athlete.  If you need an alternate payment schedule, please contact Mike Peterson, Club Director.  The athlete will not participate in practices or tournaments until dues are paid up-to-date.

If a team stays overnight at any tournament, all travel, food, and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the individual and are not covered by club fees/dues.

TEAM SELECTION AND TRYOUTS

Tryouts are scheduled for 12-14s and under in late October or early November.  The age groups of 15-17s can be no earlier than the weekend following the state high school tournament. Tryout will be used to determine the teams, and athletes should make every effort to be present for scheduled date(s).  There is a $20 tryout fee that is paid to Milton Aces VBC, where the athlete receives a numbered T-shirt, worn during the tryout(s).  Badger Region requires that all athletes trying out for Wisconsin volleyball clubs MUST PREREGISTER with Badger Region for their membership, and pay an initial $10 fee to Badger Region Volleyball prior to any and all tryouts.  The Club Director, Assistant Club Director, tryout evaluators and coaches on the selection committee will make every effort to thoroughly and fairly evaluate all players at tryouts. 

At the end of tryouts, a team offer will be given to each athlete selected to participate in the club, following Badger Region guidelines.  “Initial Team Placements” will be notified by e-mail or handed an offer at the tryout.  The athlete and her parents will then have a few days to decide if they will accept the offer with the club by contacting the club director by email.  Badger Region Volleyball has strict tryout acceptance guidelines that every club must follow.  Refer to their website for dates of importance at badgervolleyball.org. 

Once you return the commitment offer via e-mail, this commits your child to our club for the season.  “Final Team Placements” will be posted on the website soon following the cutoff for commitment to a team.  Registration, payment of fees and apparel/uniform orders are taken at the required parents’ meeting, which is held the last Monday of November.  This meeting will coincide with the first team meeting for the player, her/his team and their coach.  Practices will begin the first weekend of December.

“ELITE” LEVEL TEAMS

Milton Aces may offer a more competitive level for certain age-groups.  The season of 2010, Milton Aces began offering “Elite” teams at three age groups, 14s, 15s and 16s, but recently added a 17s Elite team. These teams require an increased commitment of practices and tournaments and additional costs.  Season length will be Dec-April, with 4-5 single day tournaments and/or 3-4 two-day tournaments, equaling 10-11 tournament dates.  Two practices a week (or a tournament plus one practice) will be made available for these teams.  Notification of this level of opportunity will be posted on the Aces website prior to the new season tryouts and at the initial informational meeting in October of each club season.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITY

Being part of a club is a big responsibility not only for the athlete but for the parents as well.  Parents are expected to pay dues and make sure the athlete is at all practices and tournaments on time.  This may be accomplished by car-pooling and communicating with the team’s parent rep and coach, but ultimately the parent is responsible for the athlete’s transportation. 

As parents, you are role models for your children.  Good sportsmanship should always be the number one priority.  All players are expected to stay at tournaments until the team’s responsibilities have been fulfilled.  This includes officiating responsibilities.  Any player leaving without consent of her coach will be sanctioned by reduced playing time during the next tournament.

Occasionally a question or concern arises regarding guidelines and procedures.  Please bring personal concerns to the coach first, then to the board’s parent representative, and finally to the Club Director or Asst. Director, as necessary.  Communication is the key to resolving difficult situations that may arise or be perceived as such.

Milton VBC also requires that parents volunteer their time during the season by assisting the coach, team parent rep, board member or toward the annual tournament that is hosted at Milton HS.  The club hosts a tournament every club season over a weekend, all day Saturday and Sunday.  The dates may vary, but it is planned for the last weekend in January.  It is the responsibility of parents to help in some way, either before the tournament, or on one of the tournament dates. There are many jobs that help the tournament run smoothly from concessions to selling tickets.  The sign-up for this will occur in early January.  This is a huge fundraiser for the club that allows the fees and dues to stay low and reasonable. There is a $40 waiver fee that can be paid in lieu of volunteering for the tournament.  This waiver fee, in the form of a postdated check, is presented to the club at the parent/players meeting in November.  The check is returned upon fulfillment of the tournament responsibility.  (See parent volunteer information on page 9 for opportunities)

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

We encourage our coaches and players and their families to communicate with each other on a regular basis.  The use of electronic communication should be kept to the realm of volleyball, pertaining to practices, tournaments, and/or volleyball opportunities.  Personal issues or discussions should not be the topic of any communication, via the use of cell phones (including texting), emails, and/or social networks, like Facebook.  Communication between a player and a coach via electronic devices, such as phone or computer, should be kept professional and in no manner, at a social level.

Any concerns and/or questions about playing time, coaching decisions or critiques, and/or emotional release should be avoided via these electronic methods. Refer to the parent responsibility section on page 4 to follow appropriate procedures, if there are concerns. 

UNIFORM POLICY

For the older teams, two jerseys will be included in the club dues and sized at the beginning of each club season.  One jersey is included for some teams that are younger and will only attend single day tournaments, at a lower club fee.  For tournament competition each player will be required to wear a team jersey, team matching spandex, team matching socks and court shoes.  These additional volleyball uniform items will be available for purchase at a discounted club price in December, as needed.  Any attire and accessories, such as “spirit wear”, can be ordered at the parent/player November meeting.  The club recommends “court shoes”, versus running shoes, which could include volleyball shoes. 

OVERNIGHT TOURNAMENTS

Teams may have some overnight tournaments.  The team parent representative is available to call and set aside a block of rooms at a hotel for coaches and/or families.  It will be up to the parents to call and confirm their own rooms.  Players are expected to stay with their parent/guardian or parents must make arrangements for their daughter/son’s accommodations with another family.  Coaches and/or team parent rep may set curfew times, team meetings, team meal time, site directions and distribute schedules for tournaments.

The following actions may result in the athlete being sent home immediately from travel tournaments and may include possible removal from the club and the Badger Region Volleyball Association:

          alcohol, drug, or tobacco abuse

          curfew violations

          members of opposite gender in rooms (except for family) without supervision

          repeated foul language, fighting and vandalism

          unlawful conduct such as shoplifting or disorderly conduct

          leaving the hotel or tournament without consent of the coach or without parents

PRACTICES

All practices will be held at Milton High School, Milton Middle School or Northside Intermediate School.  All athletes will have the opportunity to learn basic techniques for passing, setting, attacking, overhand serving, blocking, and digging.  Basic movement and footwork patterns will also be emphasized.  As the players move up in age divisions, strategies will expand and the athletes will learn more advanced offensive and defensive techniques.

Practices will be approximately 1½-2 hours and will include strength, agility, jump training, volleyball skill development and game play strategies.  Many times the length of practice is dependent on the group using the gym before practice, athletes and teammates arriving ready to practice on time, and the group using the gym after the practice.  Every effort will be made to hold at least one practice each week for the regional teams and twice a week (or a tournament plus a practice) for the Elite teams.  Upon occasion, teams are offered extra practice time and space.  Absences from practices must be excused ahead of time.  The player or parent must contact the coach, in advance, if a practice must be missed.  In case of injury, players are encouraged to continue to attend practices so, when he/she is able to participate, the player will be well informed and won’t be so far behind her teammates.

Good attendance and participation in practices and tournaments is expected.  Missing practices may influence a player’s playing time, but more importantly, she may lack the confidence and knowledge necessary to perform on the court.  This may cause a great deal of frustration for her and for her teammates.  Players and families are responsible for planning practices into their schedules.  Milton Aces has limited gym time available to them which allows for very little flexibility; however, if there is a conflict for the majority of the team, every effort will be made to provide another opportunity to practice each week.

Since there is often a need to work practice times around coaches’ schedules, the practice and tournament schedules will be finalized once coaches are selected for teams.  Expect to have a firm practice and tournament schedule by mid-December.

SCHOOL SPORT ATHLETES

Athletes who participate in school sports or other activities and also wish to play club volleyball have an added challenge of balancing these activities.  It requires a special person to be organized and committed to these activities, but it can be done.  Coaches expect that the athlete be honest and open about school sport/activity conflicts, so the coaches can plan accordingly. 

PLAYER MOVEMENT TO OTHER TEAMS

Movement between teams and/or levels within the club may be made by the Club Directors and coaches based on the following reasons:

          Player on a top team cannot meet the expectations of that team either by attendance, work ethic, commitment, conflict with other commitments and/or attitude.

          A player’s skill level has risen to the next level and space is available on a more competitive team for a tournament or for the remainder of the season.

          Teams are in need of players because of injuries or commitment changes.

          Players may benefit from additional playing time or playing at a different level.

          Note:  Movement is contingent upon available space and parent consent since such movement may involve additional costs.

PLAYING TIME

The goals of Milton Aces are to provide an opportunity for athletes to improve individually and as a team player, to be competitive, and to have fun.  Volleyball has evolved through the years, and there is a lot to learn.  This is taught through practices and team competitions.  The tournaments will give athletes the game playing experience that is vital to the development and understanding of the game as well as to apply the skills learned in practice.  Athletes and parents should see real growth as a volleyball player, which may not be reflected in the team’s win/loss record.

It is the decision of the coach, with possible input from the club directors, who earns a spot in the line-up on his/her team and how he/she develops each player into becoming an integral part of the team.  Each player’s role on the team is different, but all are important.  We keep between 9-11 players on each team to ensure repetition and quality coach attention with each player.  With that being said, it is our professional experience that some positions, due to the nature of volleyball, will have more playing time than others.  Other factors that are taken into consideration include attendance, effort in practices and games, level of performance, and receptiveness to coaching.  Playing time is up to the coach’s discretion and not the dues you paid. 

Parents are encouraged to have their daughter/son to talk to the coach about playing time, skill progress, etc.  Concerns by parents, player and/or coach should be brought forward following the guidelines under Parent Responsibility on page 4; always away from the rest of the team and away from the tournament site.  A conference can be arranged if necessary after discussion or meeting with the coach.  Parents should then contact the Aces board parent rep, then the club director(s), who will decide if further action needs to be taken.

BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS

In the event that Milton schools closed due to weather conditions, all club practices for that evening will be cancelled.  Please check the district’s web page, listen to WJVL-WCLO, WSJY, or TV channels 3, 15, or 27 or gazettextra.com for school cancellations and/or these radio, and TV or websites.  If a weekend practice or tournament is cancelled, each team’s coach and/or team parent will also contact each player.  We will post any information on the club website, MiltonAces.com, as soon as it is communicated to the webmaster.  It is rare that a tournament is cancelled, but if travel is dangerous, most tournaments will not penalize clubs. Please use your own judgment when no information is received or available.  Safety is of the utmost importance.

FUNDRAISING and SPONSORS

We will try to have opportunities for individuals to sell items and raise funds toward helping defray the individual’s cost of club dues and fees.  This is dependent on a fundraising chair, who will coordinate options for players and their families.   Any other club fundraisers, during the season, would help keep the cost of the club to a minimum or to purchase equipment for the facilities that the club uses.  Suggestions are welcome.

Sponsorships by businesses are always welcomed by the club, at various levels of donation, such as, advertisement on backs of t-shirts, tournament programs and/or club website.  These donations are used to assist the club in purchasing new equipment and help to keep the cost of club dues down.  (Refer to club websites for comparison to other clubs.)

VOLUNTEER & TEAM PARENT REP

Milton VBC requires that parents volunteer their time during the season, as a team parent, member of the board or toward the annual tournament that is hosted at Milton HS.  The club hosts a tournament every year over a weekend, all day Saturday and Sunday, the last weekend in January.  This tournament is a huge fundraiser for the club that allows the fees and dues to stay low and reasonable.  It is the responsibility of parents to help in some way, either before the tournament or at the tournament.  See list below to consider volunteer options.

If you cannot volunteer your time, or choose not to, there is a $40 waiver that can be paid in lieu of.  A postdated check will be collected at the parent/player meeting in November that will be returned upon completion of the obligation.  Procedure for this will be explained at the parent meeting.

Please feel free to fill out the parent rep sheet on page 12, bring to the parent meeting and submit to our club parent rep, Kelly Moelitke.

TEAM PARENT REPRESENTATIVES

A parent from each team level needs to volunteer to be a team parent rep.  Team parent reps have a few responsibilities to help out the coach and their child’s team.  

At the November parent/player meeting, each team MUST SELECT A PARENT REP before the end of the meeting.  If you are interested in helping out as a team parent rep, by handing Kelly, our board parent rep, the completed Team Parent Rep form.

TEAM PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

          communicate with the club’s parent board rep and coach(s)

          organize a calling/phone tree and e-mail connections for team

          organize car-pooling

          help out on picture night

          distribute handouts to players/parents (e.g. forms, tournament information, travel information, etc.)

          assist coach as needed and/or directed

          help distribute apparel and uniform packages to coach and players

          organize team events/parties

          makes hotel arrangements for the team’s coach and families for weekend tournaments

          assist at tournaments, as needed

          other duties to assist the coach

          bring any team/parent concerns to the board parent rep

HOW TO BE A GREAT FAN

Fans of the Milton Aces program should:

          encourage good sportsmanship

          honor and understand the commitment

          be encouraging but not critical

          encourage hard work

          not coach from the sidelines

          use only

Monday, November 19
Parent Manual Part 2

BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS