Anonymous wrote: Why do you think financial need is the point here? How about a family who wants to focus on academics (hint-hint - their player is unlikely to play in college) and they don't want to spend long weekends in hotels, especially if a major test is coming on Monday? They may well afford playing club, but the schedule is too crazy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm exploring the possibility of starting a volleyball non-profit to fill a gap: affordable, quality programming between rec and club volleyball. Ideally through teams that offer solid coaching and competitive play through local tournaments, without the extensive travel and high costs of club volleyball. To keep fees manageable, the practices would be led by qualified coaches with assistance from parent volunteers.

Before anything could happen, there are significant roadblocks: registering as a non-profit, then with CHRVA, and navigating all the legal requirements (including insurance). Most critically, success would depend on finding qualified coaches (including parents) willing to volunteer their time. I am being realistic that this could work beautifully, fail spectacularly, but anything in between is also possible.

This might be a really good option for families who are realistic about their kids chances of pursuing college volleyball, but want them to be part of a team, develop skills beyond rec level, and are fine with local competition rather than spending weekends in hotels. For families looking for the full club experience with extensive travel, traditional clubs remain a better fit. The best start would be at the 13, 14, 15, and 16 level, when we see most of the demand.

Does this concept resonate with anyone else? Am I identifying a real gap, or am I missing something that's already available? I am genuinely interested in hearing perspectives (both supportive and skeptical) before deciding whether to pursue the legal groundwork.

Sounds a lot like Starlings https://www.starlings.org/

Perhaps you could start a local Starlings club taking advantage of their infrastructure. I think there used to be a Starlings club in Baltimore, but I don’t see it listed so perhaps it’s no longer active.

Also, while it’s not always widely advertised, many clubs offer scholarships or reduced/waived fees in cases of demonstrated financial need.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm exploring the possibility of starting a volleyball non-profit to fill a gap: affordable, quality programming between rec and club volleyball. Ideally through teams that offer solid coaching and competitive play through local tournaments, without the extensive travel and high costs of club volleyball. To keep fees manageable, the practices would be led by qualified coaches with assistance from parent volunteers.

Before anything could happen, there are significant roadblocks: registering as a non-profit, then with CHRVA, and navigating all the legal requirements (including insurance). Most critically, success would depend on finding qualified coaches (including parents) willing to volunteer their time. I am being realistic that this could work beautifully, fail spectacularly, but anything in between is also possible.

This might be a really good option for families who are realistic about their kids chances of pursuing college volleyball, but want them to be part of a team, develop skills beyond rec level, and are fine with local competition rather than spending weekends in hotels. For families looking for the full club experience with extensive travel, traditional clubs remain a better fit. The best start would be at the 13, 14, 15, and 16 level, when we see most of the demand.

Does this concept resonate with anyone else? Am I identifying a real gap, or am I missing something that's already available? I am genuinely interested in hearing perspectives (both supportive and skeptical) before deciding whether to pursue the legal groundwork.

Sounds a lot like Starlings https://www.starlings.org/

Perhaps you could start a local Starlings club taking advantage of their infrastructure. I think there used to be a Starlings club in Baltimore, but I don’t see it listed so perhaps it’s no longer active.

Also, while it’s not always widely advertised, many clubs offer scholarships or reduced/waived fees in cases of demonstrated financial need.

Starlings' mission is linked to impacting the lives of at-risk girls. I don't think the risk they are talking about is related to girls who cannot or don't want to commit to the existing volleyball infrastructure.

That’s fair, although the OP described the idea as a non-profit which at least suggests there would some public-serving purpose that could justify being tax-exempt.

Anonymous wrote:I'm exploring the possibility of starting a volleyball non-profit to fill a gap: affordable, quality programming between rec and club volleyball. Ideally through teams that offer solid coaching and competitive play through local tournaments, without the extensive travel and high costs of club volleyball. To keep fees manageable, the practices would be led by qualified coaches with assistance from parent volunteers.

Before anything could happen, there are significant roadblocks: registering as a non-profit, then with CHRVA, and navigating all the legal requirements (including insurance). Most critically, success would depend on finding qualified coaches (including parents) willing to volunteer their time. I am being realistic that this could work beautifully, fail spectacularly, but anything in between is also possible.

This might be a really good option for families who are realistic about their kids chances of pursuing college volleyball, but want them to be part of a team, develop skills beyond rec level, and are fine with local competition rather than spending weekends in hotels. For families looking for the full club experience with extensive travel, traditional clubs remain a better fit. The best start would be at the 13, 14, 15, and 16 level, when we see most of the demand.

Does this concept resonate with anyone else? Am I identifying a real gap, or am I missing something that's already available? I am genuinely interested in hearing perspectives (both supportive and skeptical) before deciding whether to pursue the legal groundwork.

Anonymous wrote:I think there is a need. My daughter is 16 and decided not to play club this year. She played on a travel team last year but didn’t want the schedule this year. She still loves volleyball and wants to play competitively and was going to look into adult open gyms or leagues, if that’s even possible. Rec wouldn’t be fun for her anymore.

There are plenty in HS who don’t want the commitment of club who love the sport and want to continue playing and parents that would help. We are in VA.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm exploring the possibility of starting a volleyball non-profit to fill a gap: affordable, quality programming between rec and club volleyball. Ideally through teams that offer solid coaching and competitive play through local tournaments, without the extensive travel and high costs of club volleyball. To keep fees manageable, the practices would be led by qualified coaches with assistance from parent volunteers.

Before anything could happen, there are significant roadblocks: registering as a non-profit, then with CHRVA, and navigating all the legal requirements (including insurance). Most critically, success would depend on finding qualified coaches (including parents) willing to volunteer their time. I am being realistic that this could work beautifully, fail spectacularly, but anything in between is also possible.

This might be a really good option for families who are realistic about their kids chances of pursuing college volleyball, but want them to be part of a team, develop skills beyond rec level, and are fine with local competition rather than spending weekends in hotels. For families looking for the full club experience with extensive travel, traditional clubs remain a better fit. The best start would be at the 13, 14, 15, and 16 level, when we see most of the demand.

Does this concept resonate with anyone else? Am I identifying a real gap, or am I missing something that's already available? I am genuinely interested in hearing perspectives (both supportive and skeptical) before deciding whether to pursue the legal groundwork.

Sounds a lot like Starlings https://www.starlings.org/

Perhaps you could start a local Starlings club taking advantage of their infrastructure. I think there used to be a Starlings club in Baltimore, but I don’t see it listed so perhaps it’s no longer active.

Also, while it’s not always widely advertised, many clubs offer scholarships or reduced/waived fees in cases of demonstrated financial need.

Starlings' mission is linked to impacting the lives of at-risk girls. I don't think the risk they are talking about is related to girls who cannot or don't want to commit to the existing volleyball infrastructure.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm exploring the possibility of starting a volleyball non-profit to fill a gap: affordable, quality programming between rec and club volleyball. Ideally through teams that offer solid coaching and competitive play through local tournaments, without the extensive travel and high costs of club volleyball. To keep fees manageable, the practices would be led by qualified coaches with assistance from parent volunteers.

Before anything could happen, there are significant roadblocks: registering as a non-profit, then with CHRVA, and navigating all the legal requirements (including insurance). Most critically, success would depend on finding qualified coaches (including parents) willing to volunteer their time. I am being realistic that this could work beautifully, fail spectacularly, but anything in between is also possible.

This might be a really good option for families who are realistic about their kids chances of pursuing college volleyball, but want them to be part of a team, develop skills beyond rec level, and are fine with local competition rather than spending weekends in hotels. For families looking for the full club experience with extensive travel, traditional clubs remain a better fit. The best start would be at the 13, 14, 15, and 16 level, when we see most of the demand.

Does this concept resonate with anyone else? Am I identifying a real gap, or am I missing something that's already available? I am genuinely interested in hearing perspectives (both supportive and skeptical) before deciding whether to pursue the legal groundwork.

Sounds a lot like Starlings https://www.starlings.org/

Perhaps you could start a local Starlings club taking advantage of their infrastructure. I think there used to be a Starlings club in Baltimore, but I don’t see it listed so perhaps it’s no longer active.

Also, while it’s not always widely advertised, many clubs offer scholarships or reduced/waived fees in cases of demonstrated financial need.

Anonymous wrote:I'm exploring the possibility of starting a volleyball non-profit to fill a gap: affordable, quality programming between rec and club volleyball. Ideally through teams that offer solid coaching and competitive play through local tournaments, without the extensive travel and high costs of club volleyball. To keep fees manageable, the practices would be led by qualified coaches with assistance from parent volunteers.

Before anything could happen, there are significant roadblocks: registering as a non-profit, then with CHRVA, and navigating all the legal requirements (including insurance). Most critically, success would depend on finding qualified coaches (including parents) willing to volunteer their time. I am being realistic that this could work beautifully, fail spectacularly, but anything in between is also possible.

This might be a really good option for families who are realistic about their kids chances of pursuing college volleyball, but want them to be part of a team, develop skills beyond rec level, and are fine with local competition rather than spending weekends in hotels. For families looking for the full club experience with extensive travel, traditional clubs remain a better fit. The best start would be at the 13, 14, 15, and 16 level, when we see most of the demand.

Does this concept resonate with anyone else? Am I identifying a real gap, or am I missing something that's already available? I am genuinely interested in hearing perspectives (both supportive and skeptical) before deciding whether to pursue the legal groundwork.