The season is just around the corner and we are looking forward to seeing everyone out on the courts. We have been busy getting ready for the season.
The Carolina Region in cooperation with the Greensboro Sportsplex held four adult player showcases in October. We had 42 players who were looking for teams and 6 teams who responded that they were looking for players. Some of the players and teams have gotten together, but there are still more players who would like to play. Although the showcases are over, you can still go to Player Showcase to get your name on the list of players looking for a team or teams looking for players.
Another thing that the region is doing this year is offering an unaffiliated membership category where you can register without a team and can be picked up by a team that is short players for a tournament. Players who do not have a team or who are not able to commit to playing very many tournaments may find this new option beneficial. Go to Frequently Asked Questions question #12 for more information.
The region is expanding the coaches meeting/IMPACT clinics from one to three this year. The first is November 13th at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, the second is November 20th at Z.B. Vance High School in Charlotte, and the third is December 18th at the Greensboro Sportsplex. These meetings cover the changes for the upcoming season, registration issues, and schedule of events (officiating, coaches, high performance, etc.). Register online at the Coaches Clinic Registration Page.
Some of the changes for this season include: a new division has been added (Gold = stronger open teams, Silver = open teams and stronger power teams, Bronze = power teams and stronger club teams, Copper = club teams), games will start at 0-0, we will play 2/3 matches, and modified the 5 team pool format to allow for the playing of matches and starting at 0-0 without lengthening the day. These changes will allow the players to be better trained in playing matches which is what is played in school (middle school, high school and college) as well as most junior tournaments around the country.
We have worked with some YMCAs and recreation centers on adding youth volleyball as part of their program. The Greensboro Sportsplex has been a test site and they have around 40 youth participating. There are other areas who have expressed an interest in youth programs and we will be getting to them now that we have tested the concept. I would love to help people interested in developing or enhancing a youth volleyball program in their area.
This year we are continuing the one-day clinics as the entry point into the High Performance Program. We have changed the name of these clinics to Level I. We have added two new clinics this season. Level II is for the players who have been to a Level II clinic and will focus on ball control (receive, digs and attack). Level III is for the players who came to camp last summer and for players who have been evaluated at a Level I or II clinic and been invited to attend. We will have our training weekend in April, the Quest Tournament in May and the Camp in June. For information on the High Performance Program, schedules and online registration go to the Carolina Region High Performance Program Page.