CLUB VOLLEYBALL - FAQs
This section will give you a very broad overview of what club volleyball is, if you have more questions please contact us at info@merakivolleyball.com
Club Volleyball, are organizations that train athletes in the sport of volleyball so they can compete following the normal school season. Volleyball clubs are independent of each other and privately owned. The word “club” typically describes an organization that has teams for many different age groups and levels. Clubs vary in size from 1 or 2 teams to up to 40 plus. Meraki had 13 teams this past season and practice in one location. (2023-2024)
Governing Bodies
Volleyball clubs can play or sponsor events sanctioned by governing organizations such as USA Volleyball , AAU , or JVA . Players will register at the beginning of each season to one or more of these organizations so they can participate in their events. (Meraki participates in many of these programs, but not every year)
Some teams will ONLY play AAU & JVA and some will play AAU & USAV.
Season Length
Girls: The duration of the season varies depending on the number of events a team plans to participate in. The season can start with tryouts in summer or fall, with practices starting in November in our region. The season can culminate in June by a team electing to participate in on of the national tournaments. The AAU National Volleyball Championships (or late June early July if they qualify for the Junior Olympic National Championships). Qualifying events are held around the country throughout the season. Some teams may end their seasons in May.
Boys: The duration of the season varies depending on the number of events a team plans to participate in. The season can start with tryouts in fall, with practices starting in September in our region. The season will culminate in Late March. This allows players to then join their high school programs! Some teams will go to Nationals in June as well after their high school seasons.
Is Club For Me?
Club volleyball can be costly, therefore, it is important to determine if it is the right fit for your child. If an athlete is just looking to play for fun and to be with their friends, there are less expensive alternatives. Athletes that come to the club program are looking for better competition and to elevate their game with the hopes of eventually playing at an Elite level.
We are looking for young ladies who are passionate about the sport and we can teach them the rest. Our teams are divided by skill level within each age group. We have team options that range from beginner to elite, and from “non travel” to “out-of-state travel”.
Why is Club a “Must” for College?
Club volleyball is the primary method by which college coaches recruit high school players. Due to the fact that both the NCAA woman’s volleyball season and girl’s high school season occur in the fall, very few NCAA programs recruit during the high school season. Instead, they utilize regional and national events during the club season to see as many athletes as they can. Meraki teams participate in several of these events, this is not the only way to play in college. However, the additional reps and practice that is gained in club season makes players much more skilled and desirable to college coaches. The other big reason specific to NH, is that in High-School season we only play 16 matches in regular season. It is normal to get 30+ matches into a season of club.
Making a Team
Each club holds their own tryout. Tryout formats vary from club to club. There is a registration fee for participating in tryouts. Usually 10 – 12 players are selected per team. At Meraki we offer age groups from 11-18 for girls and 14-18 for boys. Athletes can play up an age group if they are say 11, they can tryout for a 14 team. If selected, a player will be offered a spot on the team and required to sign a contract, which commits that player to that club for the season during the decision time following tryouts.
Cost
This varies by team and the number of events they will be participating in. Please contact Meraki club director to discuss Meraki’s team budget for the upcoming season. This is the best way to find out all the details you need to know about a clubs team budget. Club programs will generally vary between $700-5,000 / per athlete. This all depends on what the team attends and how much they practice.
Time Commitment
Depending on the team, practice may be 1-3 times per week with tournaments and/or leagues 2-3 weekends a month. In addition, players may be required to participate in specialty sessions, such as speed/strength performance training.
We expect players to attend 90% of events and practices.
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