Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm only talking about the 14U teams at the regionals, and Paramount 14-1 is I believe the only one with 15 players. Metro 14 Travel and MD Juniors 14 Black have 13 each. I understand players at 17 or 18 may choose to sit on the bench at Metro or Paramount in order to go to a D1 college. But at 14, they are still young and developing, and not playing in games is in my opinion a big loss.

13 v 15 is not a difference. A number of kids are still not playing in a given game/match. So seems like the top 3 14s teams all have 13-15 kids on their roster which means 7-9 kids on the bench at any given time. Perhaps the training these kids are receiving in the 6+ hours a week they are practicing still gives them a net benefit? There's a HUGE range of coaching talent in this region. In any event like others said roster size is well known at the start of a season and I would expect people going to these clubs in particular are making informed decisions.

I think 13 vs 15 still make a difference. I get older age group taking more on their roster due to possible injury, but at 11-14, I feel everyone including players and clubs will benefit from smaller roster. More reps during practice could help. Top national clubs like circle city carry only 10-11 players and all of them are good. I wonder if smaller roster contribute to developing these girls.

Just a thought.

Anonymous wrote:Those clubs are allowed to run their teams as they want, and players are allowed to join whichever clubs they receive offers from. If they want to warm the bench at 14, let them. Is CHRVA supposed to police those clubs into having a smaller bench so that there aren’t only the same 2 clubs in the top spots? PP, is that what you’re alluding to when you’re referring to the “good of the region?” I don’t know if others share the same view that the clubs and players need to act in furtherance of a greater good in the region. It strikes me as an odd comment for a competitive sport.

I didn't see any call for CHRVA to step in and limit the roster size. It was someone's opinion that 13-15 yo players would benefit more from playing than warming the bench. You may agree with it or not, but if feels like you are putting words in someone else's mouth.

Anonymous wrote:
I'm only talking about the 14U teams at the regionals, and Paramount 14-1 is I believe the only one with 15 players. Metro 14 Travel and MD Juniors 14 Black have 13 each. I understand players at 17 or 18 may choose to sit on the bench at Metro or Paramount in order to go to a D1 college. But at 14, they are still young and developing, and not playing in games is in my opinion a big loss.

13 v 15 is not a difference. A number of kids are still not playing in a given game/match. So seems like the top 3 14s teams all have 13-15 kids on their roster which means 7-9 kids on the bench at any given time. Perhaps the training these kids are receiving in the 6+ hours a week they are practicing still gives them a net benefit? There's a HUGE range of coaching talent in this region. In any event like others said roster size is well known at the start of a season and I would expect people going to these clubs in particular are making informed decisions.

Anonymous wrote:Those clubs are allowed to run their teams as they want, and players are allowed to join whichever clubs they receive offers from. If they want to warm the bench at 14, let them. Is CHRVA supposed to police those clubs into having a smaller bench so that there aren’t only the same 2 clubs in the top spots? PP, is that what you’re alluding to when you’re referring to the “good of the region?” I don’t know if others share the same view that the clubs and players need to act in furtherance of a greater good in the region. It strikes me as an odd comment for a competitive sport.

Why do the most competitive professional sports leagues have revenue sharing?

Do you want to see the Yankees playing the Mets every year in the World Series?

Is that good for baseball?

Anonymous wrote:Those clubs are allowed to run their teams as they want, and players are allowed to join whichever clubs they receive offers from. If they want to warm the bench at 14, let them. Is CHRVA supposed to police those clubs into having a smaller bench so that there aren’t only the same 2 clubs in the top spots? PP, is that what you’re alluding to when you’re referring to the “good of the region?” I don’t know if others share the same view that the clubs and players need to act in furtherance of a greater good in the region. It strikes me as an odd comment for a competitive sport.

As long as the clubs are up front about playing time expectations. I’ve heard stories of players being led to believe they were likely to be a starter on a competitive team only to be disappointed later.

Those clubs are allowed to run their teams as they want, and players are allowed to join whichever clubs they receive offers from. If they want to warm the bench at 14, let them. Is CHRVA supposed to police those clubs into having a smaller bench so that there aren’t only the same 2 clubs in the top spots? PP, is that what you’re alluding to when you’re referring to the “good of the region?” I don’t know if others share the same view that the clubs and players need to act in furtherance of a greater good in the region. It strikes me as an odd comment for a competitive sport.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Congrats to Metro for winning the 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 bid regionals! The best players all want to play for Metro. This season, two players moved from MOCO 14-1 to Metro 14 Travel, and MOCO 14-1 did not even qualify for the bid regional.

Paramount 14-1 has 15 players, and it was impressive to see 9 players on the sideline. 14-year-old players are still developing—they should be playing, not standing on the sidelines. MD Juniors put together a great 14U team, but their other teams are not as great.

It feels like this region is increasingly becoming a "top-two-winners-take-all" scenario, and the other teams are playing for the third place.

Is this good for the region? Comments?

Not sure why you're just highlighting roster size for Paramount. Metro travel teams consistently have 14-15 players, as do teams for VA Elite and a few other area clubs. Other clubs are known for lean rosters - including MVSA and blue ridge. Given that these kids play 10 or so tournaments a season vs. endless days of practice, the level of training is clearly as important as the game play, and my guess is that some have made a decision to go for high level training (which Metro and paramount do provide) even if it means less game play. There are pluses and minuses to each option, but technical training is hugely critical in the 12-15s ages.

I'm only talking about the 14U teams at the regionals, and Paramount 14-1 is I believe the only one with 15 players. Metro 14 Travel and MD Juniors 14 Black have 13 each. I understand players at 17 or 18 may choose to sit on the bench at Metro or Paramount in order to go to a D1 college. But at 14, they are still young and developing, and not playing in games is in my opinion a big loss.

Anonymous wrote:
Congrats to Metro for winning the 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 bid regionals! The best players all want to play for Metro. This season, two players moved from MOCO 14-1 to Metro 14 Travel, and MOCO 14-1 did not even qualify for the bid regional.

Paramount 14-1 has 15 players, and it was impressive to see 9 players on the sideline. 14-year-old players are still developing—they should be playing, not standing on the sidelines. MD Juniors put together a great 14U team, but their other teams are not as great.

It feels like this region is increasingly becoming a "top-two-winners-take-all" scenario, and the other teams are playing for the third place.

Is this good for the region? Comments?

Not sure why you're just highlighting roster size for Paramount. Metro travel teams consistently have 14-15 players, as do teams for VA Elite and a few other area clubs. Other clubs are known for lean rosters - including MVSA and blue ridge. Given that these kids play 10 or so tournaments a season vs. endless days of practice, the level of training is clearly as important as the game play, and my guess is that some have made a decision to go for high level training (which Metro and paramount do provide) even if it means less game play. There are pluses and minuses to each option, but technical training is hugely critical in the 12-15s ages.

No need to quote my whole recap in future replies. Thanks for catching my typo. I think I fixed that.

Acknowledging that there are a few more weeks of qualifiers remaining, things could easily change. I'm just offering a snapshot of where CHRVA teams are currently "positioned."

I think it is important (maybe more important) to note the teams that have earned bids at qualifiers. MDJRS 14 finished 3rd in their division at Sunshine. Although they declined their earned bid, Blue Ridge 17s finished 3rd in their division at NEQ. Metro 18s finished in the top 8 (making gold bracket) at NEQ, earning their bid. In those examples, these teams had to be the at the top of their "game" for three days.

Let's say DMV Elite (why not pick on them, right?) goes out and earns Open bids for all teams over the next month ... and no other CHRVA teams get/improve their bids. I didn't look at their schedules, so don't fact-check me too hard! Does DMV Elite become the "it" club ... at least for the current year?

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:With Bid Regionals now complete, here are the earned USAV bids 2025 by CHRVA teams:

(Corrections welcome!)

Official USAV Qualified Teams Results/Spreadsheets (Updated weekly, so may not fully reflect the teams below)

18s (5 bids)

18 Open: Metro 18 Travel (earned via Gold bracket at NEQ - 18 Open)
18 National: Liberty Elite U18 National, Paramount 18 - Reallocated (1st and 2nd place at Bid Regionals)
18 American: MVSA 18 Chaos (3rd place at Bid Regionals)
18 Freedom: MDJRS 18 Elite (4th place at Bid Regionals)

I'm not sure which team gets the remaining Freedom bid. 5th place finishers from Bid Regionals are VAJRS 18, Columbia 18 Black, and VA Elite 18.


17s (6 bids, one declined)

17 National: Metro 17 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
17 USA: Blue Ridge 17 Blue (DECLINED BID, 3rd place at Mideast Qualifier - 17 USA)
17 American: Paramount 17, VAJRS 17 - Reallocated (2nd and 3rd place at Bid Regionals)
17 Freedom: Premier EDGE 17, Loudoun Elite 17 (4th and 5th place at Bid Regionals)

16s (4 bids)

16 National: Metro 16 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
16 American: Paramount 16 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)
16 Freedom: VAJRS 16, MVSA 16 Sparks (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

CHRVA is first in line for a reallocated 16 American bid, which may be awarded to VAJRS 16, allowing MDJRS 16 Elite (5th place at Bid Regionals) to claim a Freedom bid.

15s (4 bids)

15 National: Metro 15 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
15 American: Paramount 15-1 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)
15 Freedom: Paramount 15-2, Columbia 14 Red (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

CHRVA is first in line for a reallocated 15 American bid, which may be awarded to Paramount 15-2, allowing either MVSA 15 Charge, Premier EDGE 15, or VAJRS 15 (5th place finishers at Bid Regionals) to claim a Freedom bid.

14s (6 bids)

14 National: Metro 14 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
14 USA: MDJRS 14 Elite (3rd place at Sunshine Classic Qualifier - 14 USA; was 2nd at Bid Regionals)
14 American: Paramount 14, VAJRS 14 - Reallocated (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)
14 Freedom: BAVA 14 Waves, Liberty Elite U14 National (5th and 6th place at Bid Regionals)

13s (4 bids)

13 National: Metro 13 Travel, Paramount 13 - Reallocated (1st and 2nd place at Bid Regionals)
13 American: American 13 Red, MOCO Motion - Reallocated (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

12s (2 bids)

12 National: Metro 12 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
12 American: Paramount 12 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)

11s (1 bid)

11 National: MDJRS 11 Elite (1st place at Bid Regionals)

.

Congrats to Metro for winning the 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 bid regionals! The best players all want to play for Metro. This season, two players moved from MOCO 14-1 to Metro 14 Travel, and MOCO 14-1 did not even qualify for the bid regional.

Paramount 14-1 has 15 players, and it was impressive to see 9 players on the sideline. 14-year-old players are still developing—they should be playing, not standing on the sidelines. MD Juniors put together a great 14U team, but their other teams are not as great.

It feels like this region is increasingly becoming a "top-two-winners-take-all" scenario, and the other teams are playing for the third place.

Is this good for the region? Comments?

I don’t think this is something new for CHRVA - Metro has been able to attract most of the best players in every age group to their Travel teams for a long time. I think this might be the first time in while that they swept regionals like that (although 18 Travel lost to Paramount in the quarterfinals of 18 bid regionals earlier in March before they got their open bid). In prior years, usually another team will upset Metro at regionals at one or two of the age groups.

The reality is that Metro is still top dog in CHRVA. Paramount has firmly established themselves as second best, and at certain age groups there are strong teams from other clubs (Blue Ridge, VA Elite, MDJRs, etc).

Taking 15 kids on a roster is probably not great for the region, but if you are the parent of a high potential player who aspires to play in college and your DD is offered the 14th or 15th roster spot on a Metro Travel team, it’s understandable why you’d consider it. Metro consistently sends their entire 18 Travel roster to play in college, frequently all in Division I. They posted on Instagram a couple weeks ago that 18 Travel was all committed to D1. Of course there are other CHRVA players that are committed to play D1 volleyball, but the largest number come from Metro every year.

I do think with the popularity of volleyball on the rise, there are going to be too many talented players for Metro to take them all and hopefully other CHRVA clubs will get stronger. If there are other clubs that are consistently getting open bids and who’s players are sought after by D1 college programs, then those talented players who choose to sit on the bench at Metro, will likely choose one of these other clubs.

FPYCparent wrote:With Bid Regionals now complete, here are the earned USAV bids 2025 by CHRVA teams:

(Corrections welcome!)

Official USAV Qualified Teams Results/Spreadsheets (Updated weekly, so may not fully reflect the teams below)

18s (5 bids)

18 Open: Metro 18 Travel (earned via Gold bracket at NEQ - 18 Open)
18 National: Liberty Elite U18 National, Paramount 18 - Reallocated (1st and 2nd place at Bid Regionals)
18 American: MVSA 18 Chaos (3rd place at Bid Regionals)
18 Freedom: MDJRS 18 Elite (4th place at Bid Regionals)

I'm not sure which team gets the remaining Freedom bid. 5th place finishers from Bid Regionals are VAJRS 18, Columbia 18 Black, and VA Elite 18.


17s (6 bids, one declined)

17 National: Metro 17 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
17 USA: Blue Ridge 17 Blue (DECLINED BID, 3rd place at Mideast Qualifier - 17 USA)
17 American: Paramount 17, VAJRS 17 - Reallocated (2nd and 3rd place at Bid Regionals)
17 Freedom: Premier EDGE 17, Loudoun Elite 17 (4th and 5th place at Bid Regionals)

16s (4 bids)

16 National: Metro 16 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
16 American: Paramount 16 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)
16 Freedom: VAJRS 16, MVSA 16 Sparks (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

CHRVA is first in line for a reallocated 16 American bid, which may be awarded to VAJRS 16, allowing MDJRS 16 Elite (5th place at Bid Regionals) to claim a Freedom bid.

15s (4 bids)

15 National: Metro 15 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
15 American: Paramount 15-1 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)
15 Freedom: Paramount 15-2, Columbia 14 Red (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

CHRVA is first in line for a reallocated 15 American bid, which may be awarded to Paramount 15-2, allowing either MVSA 15 Charge, Premier EDGE 15, or VAJRS 15 (5th place finishers at Bid Regionals) to claim a Freedom bid.

14s (6 bids)

14 National: Metro 14 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
14 USA: MDJRS 14 Elite (3rd place at Sunshine Classic Qualifier - 14 USA; was 2nd at Bid Regionals)
14 American: Paramount 14, VAJRS 14 - Reallocated (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)
14 Freedom: BAVA 14 Waves, Liberty Elite U14 National (5th and 6th place at Bid Regionals)

13s (4 bids)

13 National: Metro 13 Travel, Paramount 13 - Reallocated (1st and 2nd place at Bid Regionals)
13 American: American 13 Red, MOCO Motion - Reallocated (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

12s (2 bids)

12 National: Metro 12 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
12 American: Paramount 12 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)

11s (1 bid)

11 National: MDJRS 11 Elite (1st place at Bid Regionals)

.

Congrats to Metro for winning the 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 bid regionals! The best players all want to play for Metro. This season, two players moved from MOCO 14-1 to Metro 14 Travel, and MOCO 14-1 did not even qualify for the bid regional.

Paramount 14-1 has 15 players, and it was impressive to see 9 players on the sideline. 14-year-old players are still developing—they should be playing, not standing on the sidelines. MD Juniors put together a great 14U team, but their other teams are not as great.

It feels like this region is increasingly becoming a "top-two-winners-take-all" scenario, and the other teams are playing for the third place.

Is this good for the region? Comments?

FPYCparent wrote:With Bid Regionals now complete, here are the earned USAV bids 2025 by CHRVA teams:

(Corrections welcome!)

Official USAV Qualified Teams Results/Spreadsheets (Updated weekly, so may not fully reflect the teams below)

18s (5 bids)

18 Open: Metro 18 Travel (earned via Gold bracket at NEQ - 18 Open)
18 National: Liberty Elite U18 National, Paramount 18 - Reallocated (1st and 2nd place at Bid Regionals)
18 American: MVSA 18 Chaos (3rd place at Bid Regionals)
18 Freedom: MDJRS 18 Elite (4th place at Bid Regionals)

I'm not sure which team gets the remaining Freedom bid. 5th place finishers from Bid Regionals are VAJRS 18, Columbia 18 Black, and VA Elite 18.


17s (6 bids, one declined)

17 National: Metro 17 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
17 USA: Blue Ridge 17 Blue (DECLINED BID, 3rd place at Mideast Qualifier - 17 USA)
17 American: Paramount 17, VAJRS 17 - Reallocated (2nd and 3rd place at Bid Regionals)
17 Freedom: Premier EDGE 17, Loudoun Elite 17 (4th and 5th place at Bid Regionals)

16s (4 bids)

16 National: Metro 16 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
16 American: Paramount 16 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)
16 Freedom: VAJRS 16, MVSA 16 Sparks (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

CHRVA is first in line for a reallocated 16 American bid, which may be awarded to VAJRS 16, allowing MDJRS 16 Elite (5th place at Bid Regionals) to claim a Freedom bid.

15s (4 bids)

15 National: Metro 15 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
15 American: Paramount 15-1 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)
15 Freedom: Paramount 15-2, Columbia 14 Red (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

CHRVA is first in line for a reallocated 15 American bid, which may be awarded to Paramount 15-2, allowing either MVSA 15 Charge, Premier EDGE 15, or VAJRS 15 (5th place finishers at Bid Regionals) to claim a Freedom bid.

14s (6 bids)

14 National: Metro 14 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
14 USA: MDJRS 14 Elite (3rd place at Sunshine Classic Qualifier - 14 USA; was 2nd at Bid Regionals)
14 American: Paramount 14, VAJRS 14 - Reallocated (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)
14 Freedom: BAVA 14 Waves, Liberty Elite U14 National (5th and 6th place at Bid Regionals)

13s (4 bids)

13 National: Metro 13 Travel, Paramount 13 - Reallocated (1st and 2nd place at Bid Regionals)
13 American: American 13 Red, MOCO Motion - Reallocated (3rd and 4th place at Bid Regionals)

12s (2 bids)

12 National: Metro 12 Travel (1st place at Bid Regionals)
12 American: Paramount 12 (2nd place at Bid Regionals)

11s (1 bid)

11 National: MDJRS 11 Elite (1st place at Bid Regionals)

.

Is there a typo in the list of 15s bids? Is that supposed to be Columbia 15 Red?

Chrva is very likely going to receive both a national and american reallocated bid at the older ages. The reallocated bids would shift everyone up so those next in line would receive freedom bids, with teams 1-2 at national and 3-4 at American. Impressive that paramount had two teams qualify at 15s, they must be quite strong in that age group.

With Bid Regionals now complete, here are the earned USAV bids 2025 by CHRVA teams:

(Corrections welcome!)

Official USAV Qualified Teams Results/Spreadsheets (Updated weekly, so may not fully reflect the teams below)


18s (6 bids) - Competition completed as of April 27

18 National, 18 American, and 18 Freedom bids earned at CHRVA Bid Regionals

18 Open: Metro 18 Travel finished 13th place (4-way tie); bid earned via Gold bracket at NEQ - 18 Open
18 National: Liberty Elite U18 National finished 37th place (4-way tie), Paramount 18 - Reallocated 27th place (2-way tie)
18 American: MVSA 18 Chaos finished 21st place (4-way tie)
18 Freedom: MDJRS 18 Elite finished 37th place (4-way tie), VAJRS 18 finished 21st place (4-way tie)


17s (8 bids, two declined)

17 National, 17 American, and 17 Freedom bids earned at Bid Regionals

17 Open: Metro 17 Travel ("Double" qualified; 2nd place at Big South Qualifier - 17 Open and Show Me Qualifier - 17 Open)
17 National: Paramount 17 (previously earned by Metro 17 Travel)
17 USA: Blue Ridge 17 Blue (TWO DECLINED BIDS, 3rd place at Mideast Qualifier - 17 USA and 1st place at Northeast Qualifier - 17 USA)
17 American: VAJRS 17, Premier EDGE 17 - Reallocated
17 Freedom: Loudoun Elite 17, VA Elite 17s


16s (7 bids)

16 National, 16 American, and 16 Freedom bids earned at Bid Regionals

16 Open: Paramount 16 (Gold bracket at Show Me Qualifier - 16 Open)
16 National: Metro 16 Travel
16 USA: MVSA 16 Sparks (4th place at Big South Qualifier - 16 USA)
16 American: VAJRS 16, Premier EDGE 16 - Reallocated
16 Freedom: Columbia 16 Black, Loudoun Elite 16


15s (7 bids)

15 National, 15 American, and 15 Freedom bids earned at Bid Regionals

15 Open: Paramount 15-1 (Gold bracket at Far Western Qualifier -15 Open)
15 National: Metro 15 Travel, Paramount 15-2
15 American: Columbia 15 Red, MDJRS 15 Elite Black - REALLOCATED
15 Freedom: VAJRS 15, MVSA 15 Charge


14s (8 bids)

14 National, 14 American, and 14 Freedom bids earned at Bid Regionals

14 Open: Metro 14 Travel (Gold bracket at Northeast Qualifier - 14 Open), MDJRS 14 Elite - At Large (was 3rd place at Sunshine Classic Qualifier - 14 USA)
14 National: Paramount 14
14 USA: VAJRS 14
14 American: BAVA 14 Waves, Liberty Elite U14 National - Reallocated
14 Freedom: MVSA 14 Force, Paramount 14-2


13s (5 bids)

13 National and 13 American bids earned at Bid Regionals

13 Open: Blue Ridge 13s (3rd place at Northeast Qualifier - 13 Open)
13 National: Metro 13 Travel, Paramount 13 - Reallocated
13 American: American 13 Red, MOCO Motion - Reallocated


12s (4 bids, one declined)

12 National and 12 American bids earned at Bid Regionals

12 National: Metro 12 Travel
12 USA: Blue Ridge 12 (DECLINED USA BID, 2nd place at Northeast Qualifier - 12 USA)
12 American: Paramount 12, MVSA 12 Vortex - Reallocated


11s (1 bid)

11 National: MDJRS 11 Elite (1st place at Bid Regionals)


20250329 Update: Added VAJRS 18 Freedom bid
20250331 Update: Big South bids earned (Metro 17 Travel and MVSA 16 Sparks), freeing up other bids based on Bid Regional finishes
20250414 Update: Show Me (Paramount 16?) and NEQ (Blue Ridge 13 and 12) bids earned, freeing up other bids based on Bid Regional finishes
20250417 Update: NEQ (Metro 14 Travel) bid earned, bids reallocated to CHRVA and assigned
20250502 Update: 18s play complete; All non-At-Large 17 and under bids earned
20250515 Update: All USAV bids finalized
.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would like to say that I find if completely offensive that the qualifier events are Easter weekend.

oh good heavens get over it...

No, I agree with that other poster and it’s pretty terrible. I get it. All of this is optional. Our kids don’t have to play any sport at all but it’s offensive that it is the holiest day of the entire year for some.

Would you care if a qualifier was on Christmas or Thanksgiving? Easter is a major holiday for many.

It's not the USVA's fault that your god decided to resurrect on a different day every year. Get over it. If it's your holiest day, just do your egg hunt instead of playing volleyball. These religious people are so entitled.

That was a harsh reply to my post, that acknowledges sports are optional and kids don’t need to participate. Yes, the dates of Easter change but so do the yearly dates of the NEQ. They always seem to align perfectly from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

thoughts and prayers sweetie, thoughts and prayers....

These mean responses just make me think so much less of the volleyball community. It seems to me very odd to tell kids that if they want to play a sport they have to give up year after year of celebrating a major holiday with their family. I would feel the same way way if they went out their way to always schedule the qualifier for Yom Kippur or another major holiday. Why must it always be Easter weekend? The kids are under a lot of pressure to attend.

I think the mean responses are a bit of a reaction to the original post complaining about NEQ being held on Easter as “offensive”. There are lots of holidays and special weekends for a lot of different reasons and it would be really tough for a tournament organizer to avoid them all. Different things are important for different people. If Easter or something else is really important for you, then you might have to make the tough choice to miss the tournament. But it’s not up to the tournament organizer to avoid every potential conflict.

I was the one who said it was offensive and I would find it equally offensive if they planned it so that every year it landed on Yom Kippur, or Christmas, or Thanksgiving, or Eid. They go out of their way to alway make it on this one holiday? I think it’s really awful to tell kids that, if they want to play this sport, they will have to give up celebrating that holiday with their parents every single year of their teen lives. It also excludes a lot of kids from certain backgrounds. I personally would allow my kid to participate, even though it irks me greatly, but my parents definitely would not have let me compete in a sport on that weekend.
I see that many people disagree with me, but it is a sign to me that we’ve lost the thread on youth sports when we expect kids to give up major holidays with their families in order to keep their place on a team. I’ve had two other kids participate at club level with three other sports and have not experienced something similar.

I was another poster who used the word offended and agree with you. I would feel that way about any other holiday of other religions if they were doing this to a different religion. That’s the difference here. They seem to be going out of their way to align it with Easter. I don’t understand that since so many point out, the dates of Easter change. My DD is going and we will have dinner after.

Like the PP, growing up there is no way I would have been allowed to be in a tournament on Good Friday or on Easter.

I was very offended last weekend because the kids were forced to compete on St. Patrick Day. Since St. Patrick Day is one of the holiest days of my household, I could not allow my kids to go to the tournament and see how the other teams and coaches (and even the refs) were making a mockery all dressed up in green (some even with funny green hats). USVA should be ashamed of itself for cheapening the St. Patrick Day experience. I've heard that they also ruin some people's president's day at The Capitol Hill Classic.

completely agree. Here's a recommnedation... if doing something other than jesusing on easter Sunday then don't play in the tournament. Stop whining about it... we really don't care.