What is Club Volleyball?
Club volleyball is the term used to describe the competition circuit devised and operated by the USAV (United States Association of Volleyball) at the Junior Olympic level. Teams are based on age and range from 18-and-under to 12-and-under. Tournaments are held throughout the United States, finishing with a National Tournament that crowns champions for each age bracket (18s, 17s, 16s, 15s, 14s, 13s, 12s). There are currently over 200,000 girls playing on club teams throughout the nation.
What is the relationship between GA5 and A5 Pure Volleyball Club?
GA5 and A5 are two separate, competitive volleyball clubs who are aligned in the process of teaching and training female volleyball players. A5’s meteoric rise to the top of southern volleyball has happened in a relatively short time span (5 seasons). GA5 seeks to utilize a similar business model and training methodology (both clubs are trained using VolleyPerformance) with the full support of A5.
The clubs consider themselves ‘sisters’ in their efforts to provide life lessons through the game of volleyball. By focusing on the process of providing each player and her family with a positive experience, GA5 and A5 believe strongly that a successful product will be produced. Coaching methodology and resources will be shared between the two clubs in an effort to support growth of national caliber volleyball in the Metro Atlanta area. Both clubs will compete on a national level with travel schedules tailored to suit each individual team.
How do I determine which tryouts to attend?
USAV rules state that a player's competitive age is determined by her age as of Sept 1st, 2010. For example, if a player is currently 15 years old and has a June birthday, then she would tryout and compete at the 16's level.
Is one club a ‘feeder system’ for the other?
Absolutely not. Players and their families now have the opportunity to train and compete nationally for clubs based upon their geographic location.
What are the benefits to joining GA5?
Athletes will receive the same training approach that has made A5 a nationally recognized premier volleyball club. Practice and training will take place at one of the best facilities in the country. Practicing out of one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. (Gwinnett), the surrounding area including Forsyth, Hall, Dekalb, and other nearby counties is poised to quickly become a hotbed for girls’ volleyball.
What is the travel schedule like for GA5?
The schedule has not been established completely and changes slightly from season to season. Last year's teams played in 8 tournaments with travel schedules based upon their unique competitive ability levels. Players that make the top team GA5 teams in the 15 through 18's age ranges can expect to compette in 3 Nationwide Tournaments, with their seasons finishing in June in Orlando, Florida. Careful consideration of travel costs is taken into account when selecting a team’s travel schedule, with efforts made to keep costs as low as possible while maintaining a national level of competitive play.
What are the costs associated with GA5?
GA5 is a non-profit organization that seeks to compete at the highest levels on a national stage. All club costs are a reflection of gym rental fees, uniforms, coaching compensation and other expenses associated with running a nationally recognized volleyball club.
Travel fees will vary on a team-by- team basis and are designed to pass on the direct costs associated with traveling: airfare, charter, car rental, hotel rooms, coaching per diem, tournament fees and other miscellaneous expenses. This guarantees that teams that travel less aren’t forced to contribute to other team’s travel budgets. Travel fees are based upon a “best guess” philosophy (previous years’ costs are part of this calculation) and will be collected at the same time as the club fees. If the travel fees collected are not enough to cover expenses for a team, families of that team will be charged the additional costs as soon as a shortage is detected. Conversely, if an excess of what is spent is collected, families will be reimbursed accordingly. Last year, every GA5 team received a travel fee reimbursement.
Can I play another sport?
Yes. Although time demands placed upon the serious, multi-sport athlete are extremely high, GA5 supports any girl willing to make this commitment. It’s not for everyone though, and it is important to communicate all game and practice conflicts with coaches and teammates.
