Va Elite - where are the better players?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it $13k when you include the travel costs which no other club does? It’s somewhat disingenuous to compare that total cost to what other clubs charge which is in the $7k range. Some of whom go to less tournaments than VAE offers. What isn’t clear is how much and what type of travel is included. And yes if the base fee goes up a lot it is a big deal. But I hear you saying that only affluent people with the privilege of a lot of money can afford playing there.

It would be hard to make the case that less affluent people can afford throwing all that money away. Even if you consider less expensive clubs, volleyball is a sport for affluent people. I am surprised that you are looking at VAE and wonder if less affluent people would be able to afford playing there.

[Anonymous]

I think fees last year were $8k. Which included uniforms, conditioning with Power360, and the coaches travel fees, and Nationals (either one). Basically everything but travel expenses. FWIW, there have been girls on my daughter’s team the last few years whose parents narrated their economic status as middle class (and included teachers and feds - without high-earning spouses). It’s definitely not only for Gold Coast families.

My understanding is that they don’t do invite clinics on purpose; only for the 18s team and if memory serves VAE invites you to email them if you want to try out for 18s.

My daughter is hoping to make the team again but has been using this fall to experience other flavors of coaching and, frankly, getting reps at clinics whose time slots are more convenient for our family since we don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing during the season.

I think the ‘good’/returning players often do that / at least my daughter isn’t seeing the majority of her teammates at the clinics she has been to even though my understanding from their parents is that almost of the players from her team last year want to return.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think fees last year were $8k. Which included uniforms, conditioning with Power360, and the coaches travel fees, and Nationals (either one). Basically everything but travel expenses. FWIW, there have been girls on my daughter’s team the last few years whose parents narrated their economic status as middle class (and included teachers and feds - without high-earning spouses). It’s definitely not only for Gold Coast families.

My understanding is that they don’t do invite clinics on purpose; only for the 18s team and if memory serves VAE invites you to email them if you want to try out for 18s.

My daughter is hoping to make the team again but has been using this fall to experience other flavors of coaching and, frankly, getting reps at clinics whose time slots are more convenient for our family since we don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing during the season.

I think the ‘good’/returning players often do that / at least my daughter isn’t seeing the majority of her teammates at the clinics she has been to even though my understanding from their parents is that almost of the players from her team last year want to return.

Hope that helps.

The definition of "middle class" matters though. Many people like to think about themselves as middle class, because you don't want to think about yourself as poor. However, the income of those who call themselves as middle class may vary in a wide range.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think fees last year were $8k. Which included uniforms, conditioning with Power360, and the coaches travel fees, and Nationals (either one). Basically everything but travel expenses. FWIW, there have been girls on my daughter’s team the last few years whose parents narrated their economic status as middle class (and included teachers and feds - without high-earning spouses). It’s definitely not only for Gold Coast families.

My understanding is that they don’t do invite clinics on purpose; only for the 18s team and if memory serves VAE invites you to email them if you want to try out for 18s.

My daughter is hoping to make the team again but has been using this fall to experience other flavors of coaching and, frankly, getting reps at clinics whose time slots are more convenient for our family since we don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing during the season.

I think the ‘good’/returning players often do that / at least my daughter isn’t seeing the majority of her teammates at the clinics she has been to even though my understanding from their parents is that almost of the players from her team last year want to return.

Hope that helps.

DP. Thank you for your post. What team was your daughter on? It’s helpful for us to know that most of the players are planning on returning even though they aren’t coming to clinics. It’s hard to know where anyone stands since they don’t do invites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think fees last year were $8k. Which included uniforms, conditioning with Power360, and the coaches travel fees, and Nationals (either one). Basically everything but travel expenses. FWIW, there have been girls on my daughter’s team the last few years whose parents narrated their economic status as middle class (and included teachers and feds - without high-earning spouses). It’s definitely not only for Gold Coast families.

My understanding is that they don’t do invite clinics on purpose; only for the 18s team and if memory serves VAE invites you to email them if you want to try out for 18s.

My daughter is hoping to make the team again but has been using this fall to experience other flavors of coaching and, frankly, getting reps at clinics whose time slots are more convenient for our family since we don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing during the season.

I think the ‘good’/returning players often do that / at least my daughter isn’t seeing the majority of her teammates at the clinics she has been to even though my understanding from their parents is that almost of the players from her team last year want to return.

Hope that helps.

All very helpful. How long have you been with the club? Do they retain a lot of players year over year?

[Anonymous]

Okay, now it’s two days before tryouts. And no fee update? I wasn’t concerned before but agree it’s really late now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, now it’s two days before tryouts. And no fee update? I wasn’t concerned before but agree it’s really late now.

Just imagine in your mind what seems reasonable, and then multiply that by 5. It’ll be something close to that.

[Anonymous]

VAE definitely has invite only. Just keeping it real. If a coach hasn't approached you to tell you they want you on their team, go somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Echoing the previous comment. If you've not been contacted by a coach, do not waste your time and money trying out for this club (or any of the top clubs).

[Anonymous]

PP whose daughter has been on the team.

I’ll update if my daughter doesn’t make the team for the (xx) year in a row. But she hasn’t gotten invited to any invite-only clinics, ever, so I am not sure where the prior two posters are getting their information from. (She is not an 18s player; I think they do do 18s invite only clinics.)

[Anonymous]

(I mean she has at other clubs, but not VAE.)

[Anonymous]

VAE has invited only clinics. Parents approach the coach. The deal is made before tryouts.

[Anonymous]

Also seen heavy interest and talks with coaches an about our de and never been informed of invite only. Hearing current player has not either seems at odds with messages above. But who knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP whose daughter has been on the team.

I’ll update if my daughter doesn’t make the team for the (xx) year in a row. But she hasn’t gotten invited to any invite-only clinics, ever, so I am not sure where the prior two posters are getting their information from. (She is not an 18s player; I think they do do 18s invite only clinics.)

Have you asked or gotten answer about this year’s fees?

[Anonymous]

The fees are posted.