WHAT IS THE CNY BLAST VOLLEYBALL CLUB?

The CNY Blast Volleyball Club of Central N.Y. is a non-profit organization established in the year 2000 to develop girl’s volleyball to compete at the local, regional and national levels in the USA Volleyball Association. The CNY Blast VBC accommodates athletes from all Central N.Y. interscholastic (school) volleyball programs on an invitation tryout.

Our primary goal is to provide a solid foundation of fundamental and technical skills to help participants develop, not only as athletes, but also as individuals. Teaching positive lifelong character traits including sportsmanship, leadership, and cooperation are important to the success of our teams.

The CNY Blast Volleyball Club and its experienced coaching staff takes pride in developing self-motivated, aggressive and positive athletes in both practice and competition.

CLUB MISSION:

· CNY Blast VBC organizes early developmental teams starting from 13U thru 18U age levels. The intention of the developmental teams is to provide a direct pipeline to our competitive teams. Providing a developmental alternate also enables athletes to develop skills in a less competitive and/or intense environment. Players all teams can expect more challenging play that pushes their skill level, focus, and competitiveness.

· CNY Blast VBC offers the opportunity for athletes to develop skills that will enable them to excel and compete successfully at the interscholastic (school), regional or national level of youth volleyball.

· Each of our team’s objectives is to qualify for national competition through participation in regional or national qualifiers. Through this experience, players will be exposed to college recruiters in hopes that they will further their academic and playing careers.

· Athletes are given the opportunity to practice and perform volleyball skills at a high competitive level while getting quality, individual instruction.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MY DAUGHTER-PLAYING CLUB?

· The CNY Blast VBC encompasses family, friends and fun. Families are encouraged to share in the joy of witnessing spirited competition and in sharing off court special moments.

· Athletes are provided opportunities to strengthen bonds with their friends and family through practices, overnight tournaments and fund-raising activities.

· Club experience allows families to watch a fast paced, exciting sport that will hopefully inspire enthusiasm for additional family-centered activities.

WHAT IS IREVA – IROQUOIS-EMPIRE VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION?

· IREVA is the Central New York Volleyball association that is a region of USA Volleyball. It has been designed to introduce you to and promote the game of volleyball. In addition to developing its players, IREVA has committed resources and volunteers to train coaches, scorekeepers, officials and parent volunteers.

As members of IREVA, coaches, parents, and players are bound to abide by the IREVA code of conduct. Violation of the IREVA Code of Conduct or Blast guidelines may result in one of the following actions:

· Written or verbal warning by Club Director or a Club Officer

· Temporary suspension from the club

· Permanent suspension from the club

Please look over their website for more information:

www.irevavb.org

DO I NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF IREVA TO PLAY ON A CLUB TEAM?

· YES! Once you decide to play, you must fill out an IREVA membership form. Online registration is the only way to register. You must go to the IREVA Website above and go to registration. Registration costs $45.00 for the 2008/09 club season and this is included in your club payment fees. In other words, you register online, but the club pays the fee.

· All coaches, players, officials, etc. must be members of IREVA. The cost of the membership varies from year to year.

ARE THERE OTHER VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATIONS?

· Yes! Western New York, Upstate New York, down state N.Y. and other states all have their own volleyball associations for their club teams. You can get on the USA Volleyball website to check out the different regions all over the country.

· WEVA – Western Empire Volleyball Association is the one for Western New York. Please check out their website too!

www.wevavolleyball.org

WHEN DOES CLUB SEASON BEGIN?

· Regular club season begins in November/December for most teams across the Nation. Tournaments start in December. For the Blast VBC, our goal is to have teams fill out an IREVA membership in early December. Our first club tournament will not be in January.

· Tryouts will be held in November. There is a tryout a non-refundable try-out fee of $20.00. Please bring that with you to tryouts with a check made out to “CNY Blast Volleyball Club”

WHO COACHES THE CLUB TEAMS?

· The CNY Blast VBC expects that coaches conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. The coach is the official representative of the team and the volleyball club itself. Coaches are ultimately responsible for the instruction of players and the safety of players at practice and tournaments.

· All CNY Blast VBC coaches are IMPACT or CAP Certified through the USA Volleyball Association. The coaching staff consists of high school coaches, college coaches and former high school or college volleyball players.

WHAT OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES WILL MY DAUGHTER HAVE WHEN SHE COMMITS TO THE CLUB TEAM?

· All players are responsible for their actions. Players are expected to be prepared for practice and match play, communicate with their coaches, to abide by the IREVA Code of Conduct and team rules established specifically by the coaches and the team members.

· Players should attend practice or tournament matches ready to work and train to play hard. The players are expected to keep their uniforms clean and presentable for tournament play. They play the most important role in representing our club!

· At tournaments, players are expected to work matches as line judges, scorekeepers, or even down officials. Certification for these roles occurs throughout the season. (See Next Section)

COMMUNICATION PROCESS:

· Although many athletes play winter and spring sports, your daughter will be responsible for attending all practices and team fund-raisers for their in season school sport. In addition, all athletes need to abide by the IREVA Code of Conduct and team rules. These are very similar to the school’s athletic code of conduct for any athlete.

· Players are expected to communicate with their coaches if they will not be attending practices or matches. It is the sole responsibility of the player, not the parent, to inform the coach of an absence.

· If the player has any concerns or suggestions for improvement the player should address them directly with the coaches. The first step should come from the player talking with the coach about their concerns. As a parent, please encourage your daughter to speak directly to the coach about any concerns that they may have. Open communication is a critical component to the success of the club, player, and coach.

· Since our coaches may not live, or work locally in Baldwinsville, email addresses and phone numbers are provided to allow players to communicate with coaches as well. The best form of communication is to speak face to face with your coach.

WILL MY DAUGHTER HAVE TO KEEP SCORE AND OFFICIATE DURING TOURNAMENTS?

· Through IREVA, all members of a club team need to be certified USA volleyball scorekeepers, libero trackers and down officials. The IREVA website provides a scorekeeping test to take and then enter the test on line to be certified. Other options are available for certification. We announce these options either at practice or via email.

· There are scorekeeping and down official clinics available through IREVA, usually late January or early February. Our club will set up a day and time for and your coach will get all information out to you.

WHERE DO WE STAY WHEN WE ATTEND AN OVERNIGHT TOURNAMENT?

· Each year we have a parent/coach volunteer their time to reserve hotels for our travel tournaments. This person or persons is responsible for researching the most efficient, cost effective hotels for our teams to stay in.

· We will reserve a number of rooms at a group rate and utilize AAA, corporate rate, ECT. To receive the most cost effective rates. Also, we try to stay in a hotel that reduces travel time to and from playing sites.

WHO IS THE CHAPERONE FOR MY DAUGHTER AT AN OVERNIGHT CLUB TOURNAMENT?

· You are! The parents are responsible for supervising their daughter during off time, meals, and hotel time.

· Coaches are not responsible for chaperoning and supervising the athlete in the hotel! Coaches will be responsible for the supervision of the athlete during their tournament/pool play only.

· 2 athletes are allowed to go with one parent and as long as that one parent is supervising these athletes during the down time. So, parents do not ALWAYS have to attend every tournament with their daughter. It is up to the parents of the athletes involved to split the costs of the hotel room, travel and meal expenses for overnight tournaments.

· Coaches will typically establish a team meeting time the night before and in the morning. In addition, coaches often place curfews on the athletes so that they get the rest needed to participate in the long tournament days. Also, coaches may have a team dinner planned, but each athlete must pay for their own meals.

CNY BLAST VBC SELECTION AND PLAYING TIME GUIDELINES

The Blast coaching staff places players on teams after a tryout and an evaluation. The following criteria will be used:

· Level of play during their interscholastic (school) season

· Demonstrated consistent ball control skills

· Demonstrated potential during tryouts AND high school play

· Attitude, effort, and coachability

· Tournament availability and commitment

· Attendance and financial commitment

Teams will be determined on a seasonal basis after the tryout observational period and taking into consideration the best interests of the players and the club.

Teams are typically selected to perform at the highest level of competition possible, with consideration for developmental team(s) based on number of players available.

HOW IS PLAYING TIME AWARDED TO EACH ATHLETE?

All athletes are guaranteed playing time during round robin play unless the game affects the team from advancing into a higher pool or elimination outcome. Playing time during playoffs is determined by the club coach.

Entry into tournaments is based on previous club records and the Blast coaches attempt to balance individual playing time with overall tournament success.

The amount of playing time is earned through a train to play philosophy in practices, academic eligibility and ability to demonstrate mastery of skills during games.

Coach’s considerations:

· Players are required to attend all practices unless participation of an in-season sport commitment (approved by the coach) conflicts with the practice schedule. The coaches must be notified in advance if a player cannot attend a scheduled practice.

· If a coach expects a player to have limited playing time, he/she will discuss the player’s role with the player and/or parent(s)/guardian with the intent of clearly communicating the player’s role to all.

· Coaches shall clearly communicate with players both verbally and possibly with a written evaluation form. Communication shall provide feedback on strong and weak points of the player’s skills with the intent of identifying areas of improvement, but more importantly giving positive encouragement.

· Coaches are responsible for communication all team members’ expectations for tournament play. If a player is not likely to receive playing time this needs to be shared PRIOR to any financial commitment by the player.

NOTE: Players or parents demonstrating a negative attitude or disrespect for the coach, official, or teammate(s) will be disciplined. Appropriate actions to be taken by the coach include reduced playing time, removal from gym or benching as necessary.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE CLUB PROGRAM?

Cost of the Blast Volleyball Club is based on:

· Tryout and IREVA membership fees

· Tournament entry fees – vary for each tournament

· Practice fees – To pay the coaches - $10.00 an Hr.

· Coaches tournament fees - $100 a day for tournaments

· Gym rental space? – Possible Site cost – May have to pay at some point.

· Player profile book – Brought to each tournament for College Coaches to view

There is a cost for putting this book together (Unless we find someone to donate the book to us!)

· Player uniforms and equipment: shirts, club volleyballs, volleyball carry bags, coaching expenses, administrative expenses that go into researching and organizing tournaments.

The cost of the Blast Volleyball Club is averaged on a per player basis. The cost varies according to the cost of tournament entry fees, number of players on each team, coach’s hotel fees, coach’s practice fees and uniform costs. Once the commitment is made, players/parents are expected to pay for an entire season. Costs are not determined based n whether or not an athlete will be attending individual tournaments.

THE COST OF CLUB CAN VARY FROM YEAR TO YEAR BASED ON TOURNAMENT ENTRY FEES, THE NUMBER OF TOURNAMENTS ATTENDED AND FUND RAISING.

· The estimated cost for 13U - 16U team is $500.00 - $800.00

· The estimated cost for the 18U team is $600.00 - $800.00.

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE YOUR OWN HOTEL, FOOD/MEAL AND TRAVEL EXPENSES TO ALL AWAY TOURNAMENTS.

· Payments are due on time to allow our club to meet tournament registration deadlines. Our club policy is that payments must be made by the installment due date. OUR DUE DATE FOR THE FIRST INSTALLMENT CHECK WILL BE DUE DECEMBER 15TH, 2009.

· Any fund raising that reduces player costs will be reimbursed to parents at the end of the club season. Fund raising money may NOT be turned in to cover an installment payment. Of course, circumstances always arise that may make it difficult for a family to make a payment on time. In these situations, please talk directly to your coach.

· Each participant will receive an estimated cost breakdown of the team schedule, tournament entry fee costs, hotel costs, and coach’s practice fees. On the bottom of the sheet will be the due date for your club check to be paid directly to the Blast Volleyball club.

· Each individual will be accounted for through our Treasurer/Secretary that will track and monitor all individual accounts.

WHAT IS THE PLAYER PROFILE BOOK?

· The player profile book is a collection of an athlete’s activity sheets that include personal information that college coaches can view at each tournament.

· The personal information includes: picture of athlete, education, sports played, honors/awards, school information, personal strengths, height, vertical jump, block jump, address, email, ect.