The purpose of this information listed below is to familiarize someone who is interested in participating in the Western Colorado Volleyball Club's Juniors Program. We hope that it will answer any questions you may have at this time. If you need more information or have other questions that pertain to this program that are not covered here, please feel free to contact the Club's Director Jeff Wells at 640-5195 or e-mail him by clicking here.
The Grand Junction Juniors started in 1994 with the intent of offering competitive volleyball outside the high school season. The Club was started by former USA National Team member Jeff Wells (1986-88) along with his wife Tammy. Over the next five years, club volleyball in Grand Junction quickly grew. In 1999, the Club was recognized as a non-profit organization and was renamed the Grand Junction Volleyball Club. With the reorganization came the expansion from a Junior Olympic program to hosting tournaments and offering training for coaches, officials and scorekeepers. In 2003, the Grand Junction Volleyball Club launched a much needed league called the Gold Cup Invitational Series for boys and girls ages 10-14. The league started with ten teams and has continued to grow with teams from all over western Colorado. In 2008, the league had 32 teams and expansion plans are currently being considered. To be more consistent with its mission and service area, the Board of Directors has decided to change the club's name to the Western Colorado Volleyball Club. WCVBC will continue to grow volleyball throughout western Colorado as the sport gains momentum.
As a Junior Olympic Club Program, we are committed to providing quality physical and psychological training through local and regional competition. This competitive athletic experience can enhance social development as well. All of our athletes are given equal practice time and the opportunity to earn playing time. We hope that through fundamental teachings of the sport that our program will give each member an opportunity to master the skills and complex strategies of volleyball.
The Juniors Program is designed for boys and girls ages 10-18. Junior Olympic Clubs and regional tournaments are broken into several divisions: 18's, 17's, 16's, 15's, 14's, 13's and 12's. This year the WCVBC hopes to field a team in the 18's, 16's and 15's age divisions, and at least one team in 14's, 13's and 12's age divisions. We will have at least one boys team in the developmental league (Gold Cup) that will compete in local tournaments. We also have established our first high school boys competitive team. Team selection is based on a player's birthday. All players selected to one of the Club's Juniors teams must be prepared for evening and weekend practices, as well as several weekend tournaments. It is also our expectation that each player will do additional conditioning and training outside of team practices and competitions as outlined by the program. Players may be active concurrently in other sports as long as it does not interfere with club commitments. All participants will receive a practice and game schedule far enough in advance to avoid any conflicts. Your commitment to the Club is both beneficial and essential to the players, their families, and the program.
In general, the Club season runs from the middle of November to the middle of April for the competitive teams and the first of December to the first of April for the Gold Cup teams. It is our expectation that each player will be available two or three times a week for practices. Our practice times are throughout the week during the evening and most teams will practice on Sunday afternoon. During the Holiday Season, practice days and times may vary. High school aged teams will travel two to three weekends during the season. We are trying to arrange our schedule so that each team plays at least one weekend a month. Teams playing in the Gold Cup Series (Middle School League) will play in five one-day tournaments at Mesa Sate College and area schools. All players are expected to attend all practices and competitions. Each player will also be expected to do physical training two or three times a week that should take no more than an hour for each training session. It is our expectation that each participant will commit to approximately 10 hours per week for the duration of the season.
Realizing that in many families finances are tight, we have tried to make playing with the WCVBC as affordable as possible. This year's fees will be $400 for Gold Cup players and $1000 for Competitive Team Players. Age divisions 15-18 will have an additional travel fee to be determined. A player's basic uniform consists of black spandex shorts and a uniform (the uniform is included in the base fees). Players may purchase additional Club apparel via the Club's online store. To help families understand how the money is spent, a balance sheet from last year can be obtained from the Director. This year's base fees will include coaching expenses, facility rentals, league registration, tournament fees, administrative cost, equipment, and the scholarship fund. Each player will be responsible for food and travel to each tournament. Any team desiring to enter and travel to a national tournament will be required to submit a $100 non-refundable deposit from at least eight players prior to that team's registration being submitted. In general the base fees must be paid before the third practice or no later than January 15th. Parents must sign a financial obligation form when a player is selected to a team. The first payment covers the Club's operational cost and is therefore non-refundable. The Club will attempt to provide at least two fund-raisers to help players who need help in paying for base fees. It is the Club's expectation that a parent of each player will attempt to provide team transportation for at least one tournament.
Each year there is a limited number of partial scholarships available.
Team Selection
Players are selected to age appropriate teams through a tryout process. The WCVBC desires to make the middle school league a "learning environment" and therefore, will attempt to place as many of these players on teams as possible. The high school program is competitive and will only provide spots to a limited number of qualified players. Tryouts are conducted in early November and early December and will be dual tryout sessions on two separate days. There is a $20.00 tryout fee for all returning players. New players must pay a $30.00 tryout fee, which includes the required Club practice t-shirt that will be worn by all players during tryouts. There is a deadline registration date for each age group. The Late Registration Fee is $40.00 and will only be accepted after those dates based on room availability.
Program Code of Conduct
This program will try to achieve the highest level of good sportsmanship through competitive practices and competition. Upon selection to a team each participant and their parent(s) will read and sign a Player Commitment Form. Legal violations will result in the immediate dismissal of a player from the Club. No refunds of any kind will be given to a player dismissed from the Club due to inappropriate behavior or quitting. Major points to our "Code of Conduct" state that any players associated with the program will not use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Any use or suspected use may result in termination. All players will conduct themselves in a respectful manner with appropriate language and behavior. This also includes any outward display of disgust and anger. Missing practices or being late to practice will also result in a player being disciplined and possibly removed from the program. We will play with intensity and heart, but we will do it with dignity and pride. A copy of the Club's policies and procedures can be viewed by clicking here: Policies and Procedures. The Code of Conduct is one part of the policy web page and outlines the Club's expectation for behavior.
Parental Involvement
This program is founded upon and counts on strong parental support. Parents must take pride in their player and to the team in which their son or daughter is selected in order for this program to succeed and flourish. The Juniors program relies on parents to help with the transporting of the player to tournaments. The program also hopes that the parent(s) will hold Club as the same priority that we expect from the players, which is to make sure they attend every team event, practice, and competition. Most players are only as committed as the parents who support them. We openly and actively encourage parents to take an active role in their athlete's Club experience. Each year the Club will assign a "Team Mom" to each team to help out with team "stuff". Each team will also be allowed to offer a couple of parent positions to help the coach "carry the load" for the team. Each parent position will be offered a $50 scholarship to help offset a player's base fees.
If you have other questions that are not covered in this information, please feel free to contact us at Staff and we will get you the appropriate information. Thank you for taking time to learn more about our Juniors Program.