Director of Programs and Member Development Update

Chuck McCracken

High Performance Program:

The High Performance Program is preparing for the U.S.A. Volleyball High Performance Championships in Austin, TX July 21-24. The journey to Austin began this winter as 300 players and coaches attended the one day clinics. About 40 players participated in a training weekend in April and in May three teams comprised of players whose club season had ended competed in the Quest For Excellence Tournament. The Junior Team finished in a tie for 5th, the Youth Team finished 3rd and the HPC team struggled at the start of the tournament but came together and won the tournament. In June we had 66 players for the week of High Performance camp. The players worked hard (a few commented that they had never sweated that hard in their life) and made significant improvement during the week. By the end of the week, the coaches were faced with the very tough task of selecting the players to represent the Carolina Region. Congratulations to all the players who were selected to attend the camp.

Here are the teams, coaches, referees and staff who are attending the tournament to represent the Carolina Region (additional information on the teams is available at the High Performance section of the website):

HPC
YOUTH
JUNIOR
Brittany BlackmanJoanna AlleyAlexandra Dawson
Anna BrinkleyErica BanningAbigail Drost
Katie CampNicole BoyleLisa Morales
Megan DillingerLauren BrownKatrina Mullins
Adria FecteauLiz BruinRachel Sanders
Sara GanttJessica ChasonElizabeth Sheets
Kathleen GatesCaroline HammersleyChristi Staton
Charlotte HarrisHeather KaleKate Tobalski
Katie KabbesAndrea LazaSara Uniacke
Maeve McGarryLaura MannieMorgan Womble
Haley SaundersNicki ScripkoEmily Zering
Colleen WandsKelsey Yates
Kelly WoodJennifer Zering
Head Coach: Hal CliftonHead Coach: Craig LennigerHead Coach: Blaine Tendler
Asst Coach: Jenna HintonAsst Coach: Kim MansfieldAsst Coach: Chad Willis
Asst Coach: Tim Loesh
Asst Coach: Fred Wendelboe
Head of Delegation: Chuck McCrackenChaperone: Aubrey Wendelboe
Referee: Charlie McAllisterReferee: Kevin Wendelboe

The teams will be getting together July 17-19th at Riverside High School to train just before flying to Austin on the 20th.

If anyone is interested in supporting the teams and helping keep the cost of the trip affordable for the players, please let us know. Contributions will be greatly appreciated and are TAX DEDUCTIBLE (contact the Region Office for information on making Donations to the Carolina Region)!

The High Performance Program will be in full swing again next season with one day clinics available on several dates and in different areas around the state. These one day clinics are the entry level into the program. The purpose of these clinics is two-fold. First, to give each player the chance to learn the latest techniques being used on the USA Women's National Team. Players go through physical testing and then participate in drills that focus on individual skills during the morning session. In the afternoon, the drills focus on team concepts and skills. Second, the clinics allow the coaches to see and evaluate players to be invited to participate further with the program (training weekends, clinics, camp and competition). New next season will be another level of one day clinic for players who have been to a one day clinic previously as well as a second clinic for players who have been invited to camp the previous year. We are also developing a core of coaches to help with these clinics, training weekend and camp. Coaches who are interested should contact Chuck McCracken for more information.

Member Development:

Youth Programs - I have given a couple of clinics for youth players (ages 8-14) over the past few months. The Greensboro Sportsplex had 20 players in a league this winter and the Davie Family YMCA held a clinic and ran a league this spring. The West Forsyth YMCA held a one week camp in early June with 15 players and the Kernersville YMCA has a week of camp scheduled in early August. I have met with the Chapel Hill YMCA about starting a youth league. If you have an interest and live in these areas, let them know of your interest. I am sure they would love to have more players, coaches and referees. If you would like for me to come to your organization, let me know.

Adult Programs - Last year the Greensboro Sportsplex held Adult tryouts. These tryouts were designed to allow teams looking for players and players looking for teams to find each other. As a result, several adult players found teams to play on, including some new adult teams. If you would like information or would like to host a tryout in your area, let me know and I will be glad to help. I am also working with the collegiate club programs to explore ways that we might be able to work together and help club players who graduate find adult teams.

Planning for next season - In August the Board of Directors will be planning out the next season. If you have suggestions or concerns, please let me know so that they can be discussed at the planning retreat. If you would like to be involved in the planning retreat or with what is going on in the region, let us know.

On another note, I was humbled recently when I received a couple of awards for my involvement in volleyball. I want to say thank you to all of you (coaches, players, officials, parents, board members and staff) who I have had the privilege of working with and serving over the years. You are the reason I love this game.