Introduction

The Players Choice Junior Olympic Volleyball Club (aka PCVC) was organized in November 2001 and began competing in 2002 with eight teams. The club is the result of reorganization of the Players Only Club, which was organized in 1997. The sole purpose of our club is to offer young girls between the ages of 9 and 18 years old, the opportunity to increase their knowledge, understanding and skill level, playing the sport of Volleyball.

General Information:

PCVC is a pay-to-play non-profit organization (LLC). The club operates under the guidance of the Ohio Valley Region (OVR) of USA Volleyball.

The club is managed by the Club Director who shall oversee the operation of the club and matters related to finance, facilities, equipment, scheduling, coaching, players, team make-up and complaints. The coaching staff makes up the coaching committee, which is responsible for the directors performance. They also participate in decisions related to club operations and to assist with matters pertaining to players, team selection, practice and game management, complaints and other operations, as they are called upon. We have tried to design the club to allow input from all of the talented associates on our staff.

The coaches are selected by committee based on referral, performance, credentials and attitude, selects our coaches. Our coaches receive a team shirt, insurance coverage, training and a stipend for their travel and inconvenience otherwise, their commitment is primarily voluntary and driven basically by their love of the game.

Players Choice Volleyball Club is fortunate to be affiliated with several High School in the area. The club gets support from several high school and middle school coaches and volleyball officials who serve as coaches and assistant coaches in our program.

The players are selected based on try-out performance, athletic potential, work ethic, drive, attitude and commitment. In addition the club has affiliation with several schools, which provide facilities, coaches and support for which in-turn, the club provides roster positions for some of their players, based upon the number of practice courts and practice hours provided. Typically each team will maintain a team roster of (9) to (12) players. The club policy is to play each player as equally as possible however, many factors are considered, including but not limited to the player and parents commitment however the final decision is left to the discretion of the team coach.

Team Placement by Age

All age brackets are based on the players birth date being on or before the listed date, with very few exceptions for players under the age of 14 years old. Players may play up in age brackets but not down.

Before the First Tryout Session:

Before stepping on the floor for the first tryout session, athletes must turn in the following documents:

• -Players Choice Profile Sheet
• -USA Volleyball Waiver Form
• -$10.00 non-refundable Tryout Fee (which provides insurance protection for the player, facility and the club during the tryout).

All checks should be made out to Players Choice Volleyball Club.

Tryouts

All athletes must have the following items signed by their parents or guardians before they will be allowed to tryout: PCVC Profile sheet, USA Volleyball Waiver Form, Medical Form, and their $ 10.00 tryout fee. (See Before the First Tryout session.)

At tryouts, we ask that athletes do not wear a shirt with their school name on it or any shirt with a Junior Volleyball Club name on it. We do not want any bias for or against an athlete for any associations they might have with another organization.

Tryouts may be closed to parents depending on the facility used. The purpose for closed tryouts is to create a productive enviroment free from as many distractions as possible. A per player fee is charged to offset the gym rental cost as well as to provide insurance for the players and coaches during tryouts.

Each year we evaluate a growing number of athletes during tryouts. Athletes aspiring to be a part of the Players Choice Volleyball Club will first go through a battery of physical tests such as the 20 yard dash, agility run, etc. Next, they are evaluated on skill execution. Athletes will be assessed on their ability to pass, set, serve, and hit. Finally, they are watched during a game situation for their intrinsic traits. We base our selections on what the athletes do during the tryout period and what we perceive their potential to be.

We select athletes based on the following criteria: coachability, willingness to be a team player, athletic ability for volleyball, athletic potential, work ethic, drive, competitive attitude, commitment and, lastly, current skill ability and or experience.

After Tryouts

What if I Played at PCVC Last Year?

Every athlete in the Club will be evaluated each year. Each athlete must come to the tryouts ready to compete for a position on one of our teams. An athlete who cannot participate in tryouts because of a limiting physical or medical condition or absence should talk to the Club Director, prior to the start of the tryout period to determine the status of their ability to play on one of the teams. Players should never assume because they were on a previous PCVC team that they will automatically be on a future team.

What if I Play Other Sports?

School sports and activities are an integral part of the scholastic experience and we still make every effort to schedule practices around some of these other activities. However, it is recommended that if an athlete is going to miss more than 15% of practices and tournaments, those families reconsider participation in our program. Missing such a significant amount of time does not make it cost effective for the families and makes it very difficult to build team chemistry and team cohesion at a competitive level.

If an athlete participates in another sport, we expect her to make PCVC a priority when there is a conflict between the two sports. This means we expect the athlete to attend all PCVC practices, unless there is a scheduled competition for the other sport at the same time as a PCVC practice. If a game for the other sport conflicts with a PCVC practice, the athlete will be excused from the PCVC practice. If a PCVC competition conflicts with another sport competition, the coach and the athlete will decide, on a case-by-case basis as to which event takes priority. If the player has second thoughts about the level of commitment that she is willing to make, we suggest that she not tryout for PCVC.

All PCVC teams require dedication on the part of the athlete for the team to be a success. This means that missed practices could result in forfeiture of playing time. In addition, if a player misses more then 3 practices without notifying the coach or has 3 unexcussed absenses, the coach may suspend that player from the team, pending a decision to dismiss her from the club. Under these circumstances the decision will be that of the Club director and coaching board and no refund will be considered. Volleyball is a team sport and other team members depend on each player on the team to contibute to the effectiveness of the team. Commitment is taken very seriously by the players teammates and the coaches. Lack of commitment in the form of attendance at practices and tournaments is grounds for dismissal (without refund).

Furthermore, an athletes' best performance will occur when they are on the top of their game physically and mentally. In order to maintain the body and mind at a peak performance level, an athlete must learn to handle various stresses and deal with the recovery process following workouts. These stresses can be any one or a combination of the following; poor nutrition, illness, fatigue (i.e. lack of sleep), insufficient rest between workout sessions, emotional stress from schoolwork, friends or family situations, or other extracurricular activities.

It is imperative that you take these factors into account when scheduling your time and activities. The body can only handle a certain amount of stress within a given time period before illness and injuries occur. The practice schedule and workouts designed throughout the season by our PCVC coaches have taken into account the need for adequate rest and recovery in avoiding excessive stress.

Players Choice Volleyball Club Fees

Alternative Payment Terms:

Playing Time

We do not guarantee equal playing time on any team or at any event, even though ultimately we strive to acheve this. PCVC has the philosophy that what you pay for is instruction time during practices. The club philosophy is to play each player as equally as possible however, many factors are considered and the final decision left to the discretion of the team coach.

Playing time for athletes is determined by attendance, attitude, effort, performance, the athlete's potential, the team's needs at the moment, and the team’s needs in the future, and is left solely to the discretion of the PCVC coach.

The "coaching decision" is not up for debate or question. Athletes are encouraged to ask what they can improve on to get more playing time. (See Grievance Procedure)

Rules and Regulations

While representing PCVC, all athletes are expected to behave in a responsible manner. Determination of what is responsible lies solely with PCVC.

PCVC is proud of our image. Any athlete damaging equipment owned by PCVC or any facility used by the Club during practices, tournaments or other functions, or at lodging facilities will be required to reimburse the Club and/or facility for the damages before continuing in the Club. In some cases, the athlete may be dismissed from the Club.

In case of inclement weather, a coach or someone from a phone chain will call your home to notify you of practice cancellations. Tournament planning and preparation is very tedious and time consuming. Cancellations rarly occur. We strongly encourage athletes who make a PCVC team to take this participation seriously. This means we expect PCVC practices and tournaments are of the highest priority.

Practice Rules

Scheduled practice time is start time and not arrival time. Plan on arriving at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each practice. There is a consequence for arriving late to practice and competitions.

Volleyball shoes are to be carried into practice and tournaments and only wom for practice and tournaments. This is to ensure that the shoes last longer and our facility surfaces remain clean and safe.

Horseplay by athletes or coaches at practice or tournaments is strictly prohibited.

All athletes are expected to make every effort to attend every practice. Only an illness serious enough to keep the athlete home from school or a genuine family emergency are legitimate excuses for missing practice. Regardless of the reason, if an athlete misses practice, her playing time may be affected.

If an athlete can not be at practice, the athlete is expected to call the coach. It is the athlete's responsibility (not the parent's) to reach the coach before the practice starts.

Athletes are encouraged to bring water, in an unbreakable container, to practices and tournaments. Absolutely no glass containers are allowed in the gym.

Tournament Rules

All athletes are expected to be in the gym, ready to warm-up, at the scheduled arrival time. This usually means the athlete needs to arrive at the site 15 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time. Earlier is always better

Proper conduct is expected for all members of the Club at all time. This includes athletes, parents, and supporters. This also means treating supporters from other teams, other parents, and officials with respect.

Athletes and/or parents are expected to provide transportation for their athlete to and from tournament sites and practices.

If an athlete can not be at a tournament, the athlete is expected to call the coach as soon as the athlete knows she will be absent. It is the athlete's responsibility (not the parent's) to reach the coach before the tournament starts.

Athletes will not be allowed to leave the tournament site until excused by the coach. Except in cases of true emergency, an athlete who has an officiating assignment may not leave a tournament before the assignment is completed.

Officiating

Officiating is the shared responsibility of the entire team. All PCVC athletes are required to attend a scorekeeper clinic and help with the line judging, scorekeeping, score flipping, and officiating. Each coach will determine a procedure their team will follow for officiating assignments. Every player is required to stay until the entire team can leave. Please do not ask the coach if you can leave early. You are expected to stay!

Web Site

Players-Choice.Com, is our club web site. It was developed to aide in exchange of information inside and outside of the club. The web site serves as a means of keeping players, parents and patrons informed of scheduling, anouncements, advertisements, notices, results, individual accompolishments and promotions.

We will post pictures of teams and players to promote the club and players (high school and college promotion). We reserve the right to use players pictures in this manner unless we receive a written request not to do so from a parent. We hope to high light a player from each team periodically in order to give them additional exposure.

Advertising on the web site is available to anyone on a fee basis, wishing to reach players and parents viewing the web site. The cost to post an advertisement is $75.00 per season. The club reserves the right to reject advertisement that we feel is inappropriate.