The Big Move is it true?  Yes it’s true the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club is moving its operation into a new state of the art facility in central Phoenix.  After six years of operating in Tolleson Arizona and practicing in the Gonzales gym.  Our club has been given the opportunity to move into a four court facility with pro-status features.  You can read all about the facility by visiting the Our Facility link.

We want to thank the Gonzales staff especially Mr. Medrano, Mr. Vasquez and Erma for helping us create such a great club that provided many opportunities for the west valley residents.  It is sad for us to leave the gym that we called home for so many years.  We have great memories and have reached many of our goals it will always have a special place in our club history.  We have touched the lives of many players and families and changed the direction of volleyball in the west valley forever.

We are excited about our new home and look forward to all the new families we will serve.  The future of the Arizona Saguaros is getting brighter and the vision is becoming clear.  We hope to see all our club family in November its going to be our best year yet.

Rosario Lopez
Club Director  

We would like to welcome the newest member of the Arizona Saguaros Staff Cha Cha the Saguaro.  She was born July 4th, 2009 she is a 6 foot tall Arizona Saguaro and weighs over 250 pounds.  Don’t let her size fool you she is as gentle as they come.  She joined the Saguaros to bring fun and creativity to our club and to be our official mascot.

She will eventually become a 6 foot costume that will be worn at our club tournaments and functions.  She will be available for parties and promotional events.  So be on the lookout for Cha Cha you never know where she might turn up. 

The Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club is committed to make club volleyball available to everyone.  In an effort to make this possible we have decided to lower our club dues tremendously.  We believe that lowering our club dues will enable us to make a greater impact on the surrounding communities.  Our mission and goal is to enrich the youth with the experience of club volleyball.  So join us for another great season.

“Our family reaching out to families”    

Fees for 2010:
Due at tryouts or paid into our Pay it Forward Program over the summer months. $400 startup fee, $100 first months membership due and $20 tryout fee total is $520.  The $20 tryout fee is non-refundable. All players will then pay six payments of $100 per month as club membership dues.You get two or three 2 hour practices a week and one two hour open gym on Sundays, club uniform and opportunities you could only imagine.

For more information about team levels and club travels please visit our website.
For information about our pay it forward program please contact
Annette Greening or Tracy Lopez.

The Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club in their effort to accommodate families in these trying times is always looking for ways to make club volleyball affordable to everyone.  One way is to lower our club fees dramatically for the 2009-2010 seasons.  Another way is our pay it forward program.

So what it is all about?
It’s very simple we are allowing families who are interested in our 2009-2010 club season the chance to make payments on the $520 up front fee needed at the time of their registration in 2009.

How does it work?
Starting in August of 2009 you can start making payments towards the up front fee.  These payments will be placed into your account and kept their, until the funds are released at the start of the next club season in 2009.

If a family has paid into the pay it forward program and chooses not to participate in our club program the Arizona Saguaros Club will retain an administration fee of no less than 20% of the total held in your account.  The remaining money will be returned to you in the form of a check.

The Official Pay it Forward Program Contract can be found in the Club Handouts link  

For more information please contact Annette Greening or Tracy Lopez.      

We are proud to announce and welcome Jason Beal to the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club.  Jason is on staff to help train our players using Kung Fu methods.  Club director Rosario Lopez and Jason have been talking about the many disciplines that volleyball and Kung Fu share.  They both agree that the same basic elements needed to master both sports are very similar in nature.  There is the physical aspect and the mental aspect.  Both sports take a great amount of discipline to master the skills needed to be successful.

Introducing Kung Fu into our training program will enhance that discipline and make you a better well rounded individual.  Jason shares the vision of the Arizona Saguaros and wants to help our club achieve unparallel success.   We believe our players are going to have fun with this new venture and learn many lessons at the same time.  It is the goal of our club to create a training environment unlike any other in the state.

Jason will be at the Sunday camps and at the National team training sessions. 

There are no special garments needed at this time volleyball apparel with suffice.

About Jason Beal:

Jason C. Beal started his martial arts training in 1987 in junior high school with the study of Ed Parker Style Kenpo Karate where he received a 3^rd degree brown belt under Sensei Mike Reighardt, In 1989, he moved to Misawa, Japan where he studied Aikido under Sensei Hirotoshi where he earned an advanced level ranking while also wrestling and studying basic ju jitsu in high school.

In 1994, he returned to the U.S. and would soon join the U.S. Marine corps becoming a police officer.   During his tour, he taught the PR24 side-handled baton and also taught basic self defense and rape-prevention to local marines.  After his enlistment, Jason returned to Arizona and went to view a local Martial Arts tournament in 1998.  Standing out amongst the crowd was a group of students performing movements mimicking animals.  He introduced himself and began talking with Sifu Joe Eagar, Sifu Kenny Perez, and then Sifu Jerry Cook, it was there where he was introduced to the Chinese Martial Arts.  He was invited to train under Sifu Joe Eagar in the Northern style Shaolin system.

In 2001, Jason sought training under his instructors Master, Master Jin Heng Li, where he learned both northern and southern systems.  In 2005, Master Jerry Cook introduced him to Master Leoni there he learned the Hung family 5 Element, 5 Animal, southern kung fu system where he currently holds a high advanced ranking and is a certified instructor thru the United Martial Arts Association of America.  

The Wigwam Classic becomes the Arizona AAU Super Regional for 2010.  

The Phoenix Police Department and the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club are proud to announce a Summer Volleyball Camp Extravaganza.  Join us as we host the first annual Marc T Atkinson Summer Volleyball Camp.  Learn basic to advanced skills from the professionals of the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time.  All proceeds will be donated to the Phoenix Police Departments Wake-Up Program, a violence prevention program targeting inner city youth.

Just another prime example of the community based program that the Arizona Saguaros provides. 

On behalf of the Lopez Family and the Arizona Saguaros staff we want to welcome you to our fifth year of Junior Olympic volleyball.  You have made the right choice for your daughter’s volleyball development.  We have a professionally trained staff that seeks to create as many one on one situations with your daughter to improve and excel her volleyball development.  Our staff is overseen by the club director Rosario Lopez to ensure that all fundamentals are present at every practice.  In this controlled environment we have obtained a great reputation of producing some of the best quality volleyball players in the valley.  By choosing us you have made the choice of quality over quantity.

We feel honored and privileged to serve you.  It is a blessing to welcome your family into our club family.  We know there are a lot of clubs to choose from, and we are your choice I know that you will meet some of the greatest Highly Favored, Anointed, Victorious, Prosperous Christians in club volleyball today.

In 2008 we had a few changes to our program mainly we changed our name to the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club.  As you all know our club name used to be Litchfield Park Juniors V.C.  With that name we enjoyed a great run with several top notch finishes winning several championships.  Our reputation is unmatched in the west valley and in most parts of the valley.  We have enjoyed a success in four years that most clubs have not enjoyed in fifteen years of their existence.  We feel it is do to our Christian beliefs that through Christ all things are possible.  While other clubs in the valley have resorted to worldly tactics for their existence, we decided to place faith in Christ and stay the course, that he would provide our club with everything we would need to be successful in 2009.  Last year we caught the tail-end of a breakthrough with two teams winning their region division championships, we feel that breakthrough will continue and spill over onto this year.

We honor you and thank you for making us your choice for your club volleyball needs.

Rosario Lopez and family…..

Arizona Saguaros 18-National Heat will be attending the AAU National Championships in June 2009  

• Jaclyn Craig              Saint Marys        12th
• Samantha Lopez       Saint Marys        10th
• Kyla Norman            La Joya               10th            
• Sarah Laird              Saint Marys         11th            
• Daniella Rivera        Valley Vista          10th    
• Joell Springer           Valley Vista         10th            
• Kayla Lipina             Desert Edge          9th
• Carissa Allen            Western Sky         8th
• M Hubbard
• Skylar S

Arizona Saguaros 14-National Dominators will be attending the AAU National Championships in June 2009

• Desiree Simental
• Taylar Phillips
• Meg Monteith
• Adrianna Ledesma
• Maya Drew
• Krystal Dean
• Hillary Hoffpauir
• Delaney Micensky 
• Erin Zarate 
• Carissa Allen             

Thanks to our 14-National and 14-Region Parents
you did a great job at last weekend at the Memorial Day Classic.  I had several parents from other clubs who complemented you on a job well done thank you for making us look good.

Now its time for the 16-Travel and 18-National parents to step up and get your name on the volunteer list for the upcoming tournament on May 30th and 31st.
__________________________________________________________ 

To:  Our club family
From:  Rosario Lopez:   Club Director

We know there are many programs to chose from for your daughters volleyball development but we were your choice.  With that said we at the Arizona Saguaros work very hard to make this experience and exceptional one.  Filled with great memories and opportunities we feel you just won’t find anywhere else.  In order to make this happen there is a certain amount of parental involvement that needs to take place.

This year we have created several new tournaments for our club to host.  One of those tournaments is the Memorial Day Classic at the end of May; you should know that any tournament that a team enters comes with a tournament fee.  But we provide this tournament to your daughter free of charge so that your daughter has a chance to compete in a two day event and win an award.

Running a tournament like this takes a lot of work behind the scenes.  I cannot begin to tell you all the man hours that go into it.  It is not an easy task putting together such an event there are many variables that need to be considered.  Let’s all work together and make the Memorial Day Classic a memorable one.

A list outlining these responsibilities will be made available.  Please pick one or two or three and help out with this great end of the year event.           

Sincerely

Rosario Lopez 

• Where: at Gonzales Gym
• When: June 2nd
• Time 7-9PM         

On June 12^th 2009 the Arizona Saguaros 14 and 18-National teams arrived in Orlando Florida to participate in the 36^th annual AAU Junior National Championships held in the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.  This was the first time that our club attended the AAU National Championships.  It was unbelievable to say the least.  Our girls were in for a treat as soon as the opening ceremonies began we knew that this was a special tournament and a moment they would not soon forget.  The excitement was overwhelming with teams from all over the county and Puerto Rico in attendance.   Mickey Mouse himself was the MC and performed with the dancing group.  Per the tournament organizers this was the largest crowed the tournament has ever seen in its 36 year history.  As the teams paraded into the stadium the crowed went crazy.  Each team was introduced and many carried banners and props.

The first day of competition was great, just watching all the high level competition was amazing.  Teams from all over the country and Puerto Rico played for the national title.  Clubs like Sports Performance, Triangle and Juggernaut Volleyball just to name a few.  The experience was great and our players rose to the occasion leaving it on the court each time they played.  I know that our players and I learned many lessons during this tournament.  We made good friends and were invited to participate in the Puerto Rico Junior Championships next year.

As the doors open for our program we will walk through and continue to be the valleys leader in progressive volleyball opportunities.  Our club is always looking to place our athletes in various competitions that will continue their growth and development and the AAU National Championships did just that.  We are excited to return to participate in this great event next year. 

The Phoenix Police Department and the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club join forces to bring you a girls Summer Volleyball Camp Extravaganza. 

Join us as we host the first annual Marc T Atkinson Summer Volleyball Camp.  Learn basic to advanced skills from the professionals of the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time.  All proceeds will be donated to the Phoenix Police Departments Wake-Up Program, a violence prevention program targeting inner city youth.  Our goal is to reach 100 participants. 

For more information about Wake-Up please click on the Wake-Up icon......            

When: July 27th - July 30^th 2009

Where: Marc T Atkinson Middle School

4135 North Maryvale Parkway

Phoenix, AZ 85031

Phone: 623-691-1700

Time: 8AM – 12PM for girls 12U and 14U

And 1PM- 4PM for girls 15-18 year olds (School teams welcome with coach)

Registration: 7AM-8AM Sharp for morning group and 12-1PM for afternoon group 

Fee: Just $120 per camper, that’s 16 hours of professional instruction from the Arizona Saguaros Volleyball Club staff.  Fee must be paid at registrations on July 27th prior to any participation. 

Skills: 

• Individual skills: passing, serving, hitting, defense, setting, blocking
• Team skills: offensive and defensive systems, team dynamics, rotations
• Game-like drills and activities
• Volleyball specific workout programs 
• High School teams welcome with coach 

Our community is important to us and as a professional volleyball organization we are committed to serving in our community.  If you have any ideas where we the club can get involved in our community please let us know.

Every year we host several free volleyball clinics for the general public.  We are available to host clinics at your school or community parks for free.  Just contact us to schedule a clinic.  Every year we donate to schools or volleyball programs that need equipment.  If you know of any such programs in need let us know.

Our professional team and mascot (Cha Cha) will also be available for promotional events and demo programs.  

Below are just some of the projects that the Saguaros have been involved in. 

The Arizona Saguaros donates 21 brand new Molten Soft Touch Volleyballs and four new volleyball nets to the Tolleson School Dist for the 2009 volleyball season.  As part of our community first program.  We at the Arizona Saguaros want to make sure that we do not take from the gym sites that we use.  We provide new equipment and opportunities for students of the Tolleson School Dist.  In the last four years training in the City of Tolleson area we donated over $20,000 in scholarships to residents of the Tolleson school district.