What is your club philosophy?

Our club focuses on the optimal development of individual skills and team tactical knowledge.  We have implemented the “Volleyball Training Academy” in efforts to produce continuity across the spectrum of our teams.  There are certain things that all of our teams are encouraged to place special emphasis upon: effort; sportsmanship, and enjoying the process…have fun!

ELITE has taken strides towards developing the talent and character of each participant in the program, including the coaching staff.  We are a part of the POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE.  We make efforts towards developing respect from our players (for opponents, staff, parents, and officiating crew); developing appreciation; and developing the sense of responsibility (for your position, for your stuff, for your commitment to the team).

2.

What teams will be competing for ELITE in the 2012 season?

ELITE will field ten teams for the 2012 season.  There will be seven teams that will compete in the Power league of the NCVA (Northern California Volleyball Association); and three teams that will compete in the Area league of the NCVA.  When viewing our team names the "BLACK" refers to a Power team, while the "RED" refers to an Area team.  Here is a list of our teams:

1. ELITE 12-1 RED Area
2. ELITE 13-1 BLACK Power
3. ELITE 13-2 RED Area
4. ELITE 14-1 BLACK Power
5. ELITE 14-2 BLACK Power
6. ELITE 14-3 RED (a combination of 13s and 14s age participants) Area
7. ELITE 15-1 BLACK Power
8. ELITE 16-1 RED HYBRID
9. ELITE 18-1 RED HYBRID (a combination of 17s and 18s age participants)

3.

How much does your club cost to participate on a team for the season?

The Power teams are $3565.  The Area teams are $2375.  The Hybrid teams are $1800

4.

What do these fees include?

These fees include tournament fees; practice gym rental fees; coaching fees, (including travel assistance and expenses); league fees; player distribution (uniform, backpack, etc…); team equipment (balls, ball carts, ball bag, etc..); club equipment; team events, (signing night; post season celebration); website services; skill clinic gym rental; administrative fees; and other various fees.

5.

What do these fees NOT include?

These fees do not include travel expenses for individual players (hotel; food; etc…).  If a team decides to travel to other tournaments each team member would have to pay for their portion, unless the new tournament is in place of something on the existing schedule.

6.

What is the difference between an Area team and a Power team?

The Power teams involve more of a commitement from the participants and tend to play at a higher level of overall ability.  Power teams will begin practicing November 17th and conclude sometime between June 1st and July 14th depending upon whether the team qualifies for Junior Nationals.  Area teams begin practicing after January 1st and conclude their season with either their league championships, or the Bay View Classic, whichever comes later.  Area teams tend to compete in just one January "pre-qualifier" tournament, while Power will attempt to compete in as many tournaments as possible prior to a critical league qualifier.  Area teams will not go farther than an hour and a half for a league tournament.  Power teams may travel as far as Stockton, or Clovis, for a league tournament.  Both Area and Power teams will travel to our regional qualifier tournament, The Far Westerns.  The Power teams are encouraged to compete in one national qualifier outside of our region (Colorado, Anaheim, etc..).

7.

What are the definitions of age categories for the 2012 season?

18 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1993 (high school seniors are exceptions).

17 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1994.

16 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1995.

15 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1996.

14 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1997.

13 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1998.

12 and under: players born on or after September 1, 1999.

11 and under: players born on or after September 1, 2000.

You cannot play in a division below your eligibility (few exceptions apply to Area teams only).

8.

Is there an installment agreement available for the club payment?

Yes, with a down payment of a minimum $800 the remaining balance can be paid in as many as five installments.  In order to process an installment agreement there is a one-time fee of $75.

9.

Does your club accept the following forms of payment: VISA; MASTER CARD; DISCOVER; or AMERICAN EXPRESS?

YES!  If you sign an installment agreement we will also charge all payments to the card of your choice.

10.

How do I register for my USVBA/NCVA membership?

You can register your NCVA membership online by visiting the NCVA web site: www.ncva.com.  From the HOME page click on, "REGISTER MEMBERS."  You can then click on either, "NEW MEMBER REGISTRATION;" or, "RENEWING MEMBER REGISTRATION."  There is a $60 fee to register your membership.  You should make a copy of your membership card (print); and take note of your membership number before logging out the first time.  Bring a copy of your membership card with you to tryouts.

11.

What are the 2012 team practice schedules?

• 12-2 RED; 14-2 BLACK; and 14-3 RED: 14-2 will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 PM in November and December; these three teams will practice Mondays, 4-6 PM, and Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30 PM, at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in Foster City.
• 12-1 BLACK; 13-1 BLACK; and 14-1 BLACK: will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 PM at the PJCC in Foster City.
• 15-1 BLACK; 16-1 BLACK; and 16-2 RED: will practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 PM at the PJCC in Foster City.
• 18-1 BLACK will practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-9 PM at the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood City.

12.

Are there any additional practice times, or clinics?

Yes, similar to last season, the club will host a series of skill training clinics primarily on Fridays from 5-7 PM hosted at Brewer Island Elementary Gymnasium in Foster City.  These clnics will focus on no more than four of our age divisions per clinic.  We are also looking into an alternative time for the older age groups.  We anticipate a Sunday evening clinic for the older girls hosted twice a month to compliment the Friday clinics for the younger age groups.  While there will be some strength and conditioning development implemented during these sessions the primary emphasis will be on skill development (passing technique; serving technique; floor defense techniques; etc...).

13.

Does your club offer any financial assistance for those that need it?

YES!  Although there are limited funds available, we do offer financial assistance for those that wish to apply and are offered a position on one of our teams.  At the tryouts there will be a Scholarship Aplication.  This form will ask each applicant what funds they will need in order to participate in our club.  After review, we will do what we can to accommodate those players who demonstrate financial need.  Please understand that if you request a scholarship and we do not have the funds necessary to comply you may not be offered a position on a team.  We will simply assume that you cannot afford to accept.

14.

Is there a discount available for siblings?

YES!  A 10% discount will apply to each additional family member.

15.

How does the tryout process work?

Participants should realize that we are going to do our best to get our rosters set as soon as possible with the highest quality of talent and character we can determine to find.  Some of the participants will receive verbal offers during the tryout process while others will hear from our coaching staff as early as the evening of November 5th following the first day of tryouts.  If the player accepts our verbal offer we will go forward in verbal agreement until we can officially put things in writing on the evening of Monday, November 14th, at our Signing Night event.  No club is allowed to make written agreements with players or accept any payments until 6 PM on Monday, November 14th.

16.

Does my daughter have to attend more than one tryout session?

No.  The best day to attend is the first day, November 5th.  We will do our best to fill our rosters by the conclusion of the first day of tryouts.  Our tryouts posted for Sunday, November 6th, and Saturday, November 12th, are scheduled in case we still have any remaining roster positions available; or to take a second look at some potential candidates.  If your daughter does not receive a verbal offer by the end of November 5th I would strongly recommend attending the supplementary tryouts scheduled for November 6th.  this would also apply for November 12th. 

17.

What if my daughter cannot attend the posted time for her age group on November 5th?

Our club has taken the extra measures this year to assure that each age division has two listed time slots available on the first day of tryouts.  If your daughter is not able to attend either of these time slots I would recommend contacting the Club Director, or coaches for the age divisions that you are trying out for.  I would further suggest to attend as many clinics as possible so that the coaching staff can be in a position on the day of tryouts to evaluate your abilities even though you may not be present. 

18.

What items are included in the player distribution?

All of the players will receive an OGIO METRO Backpack; two short sleeve jerseys for Power teams (one BLACK and one RED) and one for Area teams (BLACK); two spandex shorts; two pairs of socks; performance short sleeve top (two for Power and one for Area); Holloway full zip warm-up jacket; Holloway warm-up pants; and one water bottle with screened logo.

19.

How many players on a team roster?

Power teams will consist of 10-12 players.  Area teams will consist of 10-13 players (a 13th player must be requested by the head coach and approved by the Club Director).

20.

What is the club's approach to playing time?

Aside from any disciplinary actions, each player is assured of a quality amount of playing time in which they play a role for the team. We will not sacrifice the team’s success (winning matches and tournaments) for playing time.  It is the responsibility of each coach to make sure that each player fulfills a role for their team and gets adequate amount of playing time to feel like they are developing; and that they are a part of the team’s success.

POWER: Each roster is composed of 10-12 players.  Although 8-10 of these players will see the majority of the playing time every team member will have the opportunity to play at any given tournament.  There may be a match, or two, where some players do not see court time.  However, there will never be a situation where a player does not have the opportunity to play.  Each player on the team will have an active role on the team.  The head coach is responsible for making this role clear to each player.  Additionally, each player should have a clear understanding of what is necessary to improve quality match playing time.

AREA: Each roster is composed of 10-13 players.  Each player should see playing time in almost any given match with very few exceptions (championship match).  Again, each player should be clear about their role on the team and what is necessary in order to improve their contribution to the team.  As a percentage any given player should see a minimum of 30% of the possible playing time.

21.

Does the club allow for multi-sport players?

Yes!  We encourage our athletes to be diverse.  We simply ask that each player respect their teams and their teammates.  We do not want to see a player miss both practices each week in order to attend another team’s events.  It is allowed for a player to miss one practice each week in order to accommodate another team for an AREA team, not for a POWER team.  Any prior commitments to other sports should be listed on our tryout information form.  Players should not miss key league and non-league tournaments.  The most critical tournaments are LEAGUE QUALIFIER, LEAGUE FINALS, and REGIONAL QUALIFIERS.  Please consult with your head coach to make sure that everyone is on the same page with expectations when competing on more than one team.  Each player should realize that the more time they sacrifice from practice and competition the more it will slow development; and may affect playing time with the team.  Each head coach can make decisions to lesson playing time to those players that miss a significant amount of practice, or competition time, with the team.

22.

What is happening for the club's SIGNING NIGHT?

We are making plans for an exciting and fun club signing event!  We will have this event on Monday, November 14^th, from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at the Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood City.  Each team will have their own check in table.  There will be round tables available for socializing and eating some food from our Pasta and Salad Bar!  Each player will have to turn in their paperwork; get sizing for jerseys, sweatshirts, spandex, and T-Shirts.  We will select jersey numbers in order of seniority with the club as well as giving priority to those players that arrive early!  This is our celebration event to get things started!

23.

What is a HYBRID team?

A Hybrid team does not compete in a league, area or power.  A Hybrid team will compete in invitational tournaments, like President's Day; and Non League Tournaments.  There is less of a time commitment.  The team practices and competes from January through May.  The competition is a good combination of Power and Area teams.  The price is less at $1800.