St. Augustine Volleyball Association (SAVA): About SAVA

3)What type of time commitment is required to participate in SAVA?
Generally, most teams will practice twice a week, and will participate in a range of tournaments numbering one to three per month. Dependant upon your child's team placement, travel could be restricted to the state of Florida or throughout the US. All tournaments are held on weekends including some on three-day holidays.

4) What are the age limits for participants?
The age divisions USAV recognizes are 12 and under through 18 and under. However, the number of players we have at tryout and the age range will dictate the divisions we will compete in.

5) When does the Club Season start?
Tryouts are usually held just before Thanksgiving and the season runs from January through the beginning of May. Teams that qualify for the USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships will continue through late June/early July.

6) How much does it cost to play?
The annual fees for club are determined each year based on tournament participation and the number of players for each team.  Price ranges from $400 for the younger teams to $1600 for the advanced teams. The fees include training, gym time, coach’s fees, and uniforms. Fees do not include hotel expenses or equipment, which will be your responsibility.

7) How do you pay for club?
St. Augustine Volleyball will work with every family to try and make the payment of fees manageable. Payment plans have been devised to assist your budget. There are also many fundraising opportunities available. Once fees have been determined they are final and there will be no negotiation. We do have a payment plan in place to reduce the cost burden. There will be no reimbursements for any reason as the fees are determined by the total cost for the team divided by the number of players. If a player decides to quit there is no change in the cost to run the team.

8) What is the roster size and number of teams in SAVA?
We make every attempt to keep team rosters below 12. However this is dependant upon the age range and number of players at tryouts. If there is not enough interest in the age group of your son or daughter then the opportunity may be given to move up to the next age level that has room. This may limit playing time, however they will still be exposed to the same conditioning and training in practice.

9) Where and when do teams practice?
Each year SAVA begs local schools to allow us to use their facilities for practice. All schools and practice facilities are located in St. Johns County. The coach will determine practice dates and times and they will be posted on the site. If for any reason there are not enough players able to attend any one practice the coach is given the discretion to cancel practice.

10) Can the multi-sport athlete play for SAVA?
Yes, many participants in SAVA engage in more than one sport, especially in the younger age divisions. However, during club season it is expected that every player will be able to attend tournaments unless noted before season’s start. Please understand that if you choose to play another sport during the club season is imperative that the player inform the coach of their practice and game schedule. 

11) What arrangements are made regarding travel and hotel accommodations?
Parents are required to travel with their child to all tournaments unless an authorized USAV chaperone has been contacted and is willing to take your child with them. At the beginning of the season we will ask that several parents volunteer to be chaperones for the season. At no time is a coach allowed to drive a player or have a player stay with them at tournaments. Parents it is your responsibility to book your hotel rooms. At some tournaments SAVA will reserve a block of rooms and inform you in advance. Coaches will not be responsible for finding hotels or making arrangements with other parents to chaperone your child.  

Recreuting Guidelines adopted by the USAV Florida Region:
1. Definition of Recruiting - To solicit players for the purpose of persuading them to tryout or play for a junior volleyball club. Solicitation can be performed by any of the following individuals: club directors, coaches, or anyone acting on behalf of a junior volleyball club.
a. Acceptable Recruiting Methods - The following methods are acceptable if initiated by a club representative: flyers, bulk e-mails, press releases, newspaper ads, or any printed material that is distributed to the masses. The following methods are acceptable if initiated by the player or parent/guardian: telephone calls or private meetings to discuss the clubs programs and offerings. Documentation should be kept on file by the club representative denoting all player-initiated contact in the event a recruiting violation is filed with the Region Office.
b. Unacceptable Recruiting Methods - Telephone calls or private meetings (either in-person or electronically) initiated by a club representative. In-person visits initiated by a club representative at a FHSAA sanctioned practice or event other than to distribute written materials. Any one-on-one meetings between a club representative and a player. Verbal or written promises made by club representatives with regard to positions available or team placement. Verbal or written offers for full or partial scholarships to influence the decision making process.
2. Penalties - The following penalties will be imposed on any club representative that is found guilty (by an Incident Review Committee) of violating the recruiting guidelines above.
a. 1st Offense - $500 fine and 1 year probation from the date of the offense.
b. 2nd Offense - $1,000 fine and 1 year suspension of membership from the date of the offense.
c. 3rd Offense - Life time ban of membership with the Florida Region and notification to the National Office of USA Volleyball.