Let’s be real, does VV ever have 8 open spots? Everyone knows they take their returning players. We made the mistake of only going to their tryouts once and even that year we were warned not to bother. |
I’m not the PP you are responding to, but even non profits need a business market to exist. I think the issue here is yes volleyball is expensive. Gyms cost $$, coaches cost $$, uniforms cost $$, referees cost $$, infrastructure (registration system, web, communications, marketing) all cost $$. A non profit idea is nice, but it won’t meet the needs of why most kids are playing club which is to be at the highest level of competition. The best players will stay in USAV travel teams that can compete and go to bigger national tournaments. I’d like to be wrong but doubt this ever gets enough momentum and especially as a non profit to lift off. |
I agree that many players start volleyball with the hope of playing at the highest level of competition. Probably that's what parents also hope for. Then you meet Metro or Paramount on the court and you realize that playing at the highest level is just a dream for most. You have the few who are highly motivated and athletic to pursue that dream, but most have to be delusional to keep hoping after a few of years of club. There are still reasons to keep going (making the varsity in high school and / or for the social aspect). The writing is on the wall when most players don't make their varsity teams and that's when you see them quitting club volleyball. I am sure many players would continue if the time and financial commitments were more reasonable. |
I was at the boy's tryout for the 15 and 16 team and people thought there were realistically 8 spots between the two teams I am looking at their roster compared to last year rosters and most teams (boys and girls) are only about 60-70% returning players. They have a high preference for returning players because the kids are all friends and the families are all friends and that is a pretty important part of how they can continue to get volunteers. Some of the coaches are college students that played on a team. It's a different vibe, winning is only kind of important (they just have to win enough so the kids are having a good time). it's not where you go if you are trying to get recruited to nebraska or UCLA. The ones that are really good and want to get recruited somewhere move on to teams with better exposure. No problems. |
I agree. Baseball works this way around here. Pretty much any kid that can make the throw to first base can join a team. But baseball fields are easier to come by that volleyball courts. |
I posted this and I was referring to volleyball, not baseball. We're also in the SYA LL program (that's another story for a different forum), and yes the LL runs differently. However the volleyball program has House (rec), Travel (local), and Club (CHVRA) available at a much more affordable cost. On top of that, they hold clinics in the summer and winter for beginner and advanced. It's a great program, and we appreciate it. |
SYA was mentioned on this thread before. Great program but only available to those who live in reasonable driving distance (unfortunately). |
I think BRYC has something like this too. |
| DYS too. House, local travel, and club. I suspect all of the other locations nearby have this too, like they do basketball too. So this non profit wouldn't really have a gap to close then, if that is the middle area between rec and Metro oe Paramount. |
I can see a rec league, but that's pretty much it. The weight of the SYA program seems shifted toward rec, while the weight of the BRYC program seems shifted toward club. https://www.brycvolleyball.org/rec |
The HEAT team / program (https://dullesyouthsports.com/house-volleyball-heat-team/) would be that middle ground that is really hard to find. But DYS seems to stop at an early age (8th grade). Do you know of more options other than SYA and DYS? It is hard to make the case that there is no need when the options are clearly limited. |