(Winter/Spring Minneapolis JO Girls' Volleyball at an affordable cost.)
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Mission
FAQs
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Practice Schedule
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Coaching Staff
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Camps & Clinics
How long is the season? (When do you start and finish?)
The season starts with practices in mid-December and finishes in early April. NO practices over Mpls schools' Xmas break, school holidays, and Spring Break week. 7 events played in a season; 5 Northern Lights power league dates at Midwest VB Warehouse, Burnsville, Mn, 2 mid- or end-of-season tourneys in Twin Cities area.
How many times do you practice a week?
Teams usually practice twice a week. In addition there are position specific practices available from November through March.
When and where are practices held?
Practice times and locations vary based on coach and player availability.
How much does your program cost?
The City of Lakes Volleyball Club has a set price of $580 per player. Financial aid is available if funds exist.
What does the cost cover?
The cost covers USAV Membership for each player, tournament and power league registration fees, coaching salaries, practice facility rental, uniform top, equipment and club overhead.
What other costs may be incurred?
Players must provide their own black shorts, shoes, knee pads and socks. Additional expenses would include all travel expenses should the team choose to play an out of town tournament. Also if the team extends its season or plays in additional tournaments the cost will be shared by the team members.
What age divisions do you offer?
We plan to offer 12's, 13's, 14's, 15's, 16's and 17/18's. We have limited practice space for this season so some divisions may be combined or not offered based on the number of players trying out.
How many teams at each age division?
This depends on the demand and the available practice space. Generally there will be one or two per age.
How many players on each team?
Usually, teams have 10 players.
How many coaches per team?
Each team has one head coach. There may be some teams that have volunteer assistant coaches.
What are the coach’s qualifications?
The experience of each coach can be found by selecting "Coaching Staff" from the menu on the left. Generally, all coaches have experience playing and coaching volleyball.
Can you participate in other activities?
Players are asked to make volleyball their first priority during the season and should view volleyball as important. Players may participate in other activities subject to those considerations.
What is the attendance policy concerning practice or tournaments?
Players are expected to make their best effort to be at every practice and tournament except for illness or family emergency. Homework shouldn't "sneak up" on a player who is organized and who starts longer projects early. Players missing practices or tournaments for any other reasons may be dismissed from the team. The coach will consult with any player not making a good enough effort to avoid conflicts. Consequences could range from reduced playing time to dismissal from the team.
What is the Club's philosophy?
The club's mission statement is available. Choose "Mission Statement" from the menu on the left.
What will the teams' policy be concerning playing time?
Teams have a goal of roughly equal sitting out time. This is subject to the coach's decisions in any particular game based on the situation. These teams are considered to be developmental teams but within that context the does the best to put the team in a position to win. The coach may increase a player's sitting out time as a result of inadequate practice habits or game day attitude concerns. It's a tough balancing act for any coach.
Notice that the term "sitting out time" is used as opposed to "playing time". A player who misses events may be required to sit out additional time to catch up on "sitting out time".
How far does the team travel for events?
This is solely a team decision. All events scheduled by the Club are local.
How often does the team compete?
Teams compete about twice a month.
The City of Lakes Volleyball Club has these additional questions that are worth considering.
Besides playing the Junior Olympic season, what other benefits is there to playing on a team?
The City of Lakes Volleyball Club is a "Club". Players are considered to be members and there are several membership benefits. We have an agreement with the Midtown YWCA in Minneapolis to provide our members and their families with special membership rates. They also have designed a special volleyball fitness and strength class. Membership also gets you early registration and a discount on the summer camps and clinics. Members can also participate in the informal summer leagues to help get ready for the school season.
What is the club's process for resolving conflicts between the coach, players and parents.
All concerns regarding threatening, intimidating, demeaning, illegal or other disruptive behavior will be quickly investigated by the Board. Outcomes could include a better communication effort, discipline, suspensions or termination of our relationship. Note that concerns can be raised about either coaches, players or parents and all are held to the same high standards of acceptable behavior. All participants are required to sign the acceptable behavior policy before the season starts.
The most frequent concern raised by parents and players usually arises over playing time. If you feel the coach is not following the guidelines (see above about playing time) there are set procedures to follow. If you are concerned about a lack of equitable playing time, please discuss it with the coach AWAY FROM THE COURT, either well after a match or during the week. If the coach feels that sitting out time has been equitable and you don't, you must be prepared to log every player's playing time for at least two events before discussing the situation with the COL-V Director. The City of Lakes club considers a playing time variance of plus or minus 10% to be acceptable. The Director will review the specifics of the situation with the coach. If there are justifiable reasons (poor practice effort, game day attitude, injury etc.) the Board will report back to the person filing a complaint.
Is the club a feeder program? Is it an open or closed club?
The City of Lakes Volleyball Club is not a feeder club for any particular high school. The club is technically open to any USAV member, but Minneapolis residents are given every opportunity to qualify for a team ahead of a non-resident. There may be times when a non-resident on the team will enhance the volleyball experience for the remaining residents and in those cases the non-resident will earn a place on a team.