2009-10 Information - Portland North Junior Olympic Volleyball Club

Junior Olympics (J.O.s) is a program of U.S.A. Volleyball and the New England Region of U.S.A.V. (NERVA).   J.O.s offers a fun and very competitive learning experience for those who may be serious about developing their skills and knowledge of the game. The Portland North J. O. Club is affiliated with New England Juniors and U.S. Junior Olympic Volleyball.

Portland North is entering its 9th year. Players have come from a few elemenatary schools and many middle schools and high schools.  Practices are normally at SMCC (South Portland), Yarmouth or Greely High Schools(Cumberland), and Newbegin gym (Gray).  Competitions consist of scrimmages locally and tournaments in MA, NH and ME.  This year’s offerings will be for girls in 4th through 12th grades.

The Club is growing!  We expect players to come from even more schools this season.  Plans are to have more teams.  We are aiming for three 12U, three 14U, four-five 16 U and 4 18U teams.  Girls do not need to be experienced volleyball players to become involved in the 12U(4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades) or 14U(7^th and 8^th grades) teams.  We love to teach them!  Our 12U teams will begin practicing beginning Dec. 6.

Regular practices for other team begin right after tryouts.  They are on Sunday afternoons so as not to conflict with interscholastic sports schedules or church attendance. Players are urged to please be a bit early for all scheduled activities.

Transportation involves parent volunteers. The Club is unable to provide transportation.  Parents often enjoy watching a practice and even more so traveling with their daughters to our tourneys.  Parent involvement is sought and appreciated in many phases of the Club.

Quality coaching is an important component of any youth program.  Portland North has had the benefit of a group of very qualified youth coaches. Many have played in college and have solid experience coaching. They may have coached college, high school or at other levels.  We look for coaches who have natural talents and attributes so valuable to coaching.   All of our coaches are certified in U.S.A.V. coaching programs and background checked.  Coaches are largely volunteers but we have begun paying relatively small stipends. More info on coaches and their backgrounds will be available for the benefit of players and parents when this year’s teams are assembled.

Costs are an obvious concern for Club parents, players and staff. The Director and Club leadership do everything possible to keep costs down.  Dues are lower for 12s and 14s and increase for 16s and 18s and those who are placed on our most competitive teams, which typically practice twice a week and play in added overnight tourneys. Fund raising is an option.  Dues pay for expenses such as gym time (which has gone up), equipment, coaches’ stipends, tourney fees and administrative costs.  The cost of uniforms is additional.  As part of the cost of placement (12s and 14s) and trying out (16s and 18s), players gain membership in the New England Region of the U.S. Volleyball Association (NERVA).  There will be no placement fee for first-time 12s or 14s.  All 12s and 14s will need to pay the $35 NERVA fee, but that is refundable if requested before Dec. 21, 2009.  The tryout cost for16s and 18s will be $55.  This is non-refundable.

We hope you will tell others about our program!  Please share this info with your family and friends.  For more information please contact John Razsa (657-3966) or jrazsa@maine.rr.com, Bob Curtis bob.curtis@smemaine.com or check out our web site: www.PortlandNorthJrs.com