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CLUB TEAM FAQ's
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TRYOUT FAQ's
WHEN ARE TRYOUTS FOR CLUB TEAMS HELD?
Tryouts for our Competitive Club teams are held in mid November to early December each year. Exact dates/times/locations and a link to register will be posted on our website in early October. Registration for tryouts will open on October 15.
WHICH AGES CAN TRYOUT?
For the 2027 Season, BCO is planning to offer teams for 12-18U Girls (Grade 6-12) and 13-18U Boys (Grade 7-12). While younger athletes are welcome to try out for the 12U Girls or 13U Boys team, they will be competing against older athletes for a spot. The number of teams in each age group may vary each year, depending on coach availability and gym space.
Please note: If your child was born between September 1 and December 31, they are eligible to try out for two different age divisions. If they are open to being considered for either division, they should register, pay for, and attend both tryouts to be evaluated for both teams.
WHAT IF I CANNOT ATTEND MY TRYOUT?
While we recognize that families may face unexpected, or an extenuating circumstance, attendance at tryouts is mandatory for athletes wanting to play for BCO. In the rare case that it is not possible to attend a tryout, athletes should still register and pay for the tryout and then email info@bcovolleyball.ca to request an exemption. Athletes may request to attend a different tryout other than their own age group, as long as the requested tryout is on the same day as their official age level or before, and the tryout they are attending is similar in age and ability to their official age level.
There may also be a camp/clinic offered in the area where an athlete may be evaluated before tryouts. If there are no opportunities for the athlete to be assessed in person, we will request a write-up and/or athletic resume highlighting their volleyball playing experience and achievements. Athletes may also provide either game film and/or a reference letter from a previous coach to provide support when requesting a tryout exemption.
HOW THE SELECTION PROCESS WORKS
Players may be invited to join a BCO team through the following pathways:
01. EARLY SIGNING (SEPTEMBER 1 - OCTOBER 15)
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Athletes do not request or apply for Early Signing consideration.
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This process begins with an offer from coaches and is only available for 15U-18U age groups for athletes who played on a BCO team last year.
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Not all coaches utilize the Early Signing Period as part of their team selection process. If a team has a new coach this year, the Club President and/or General Manager may send out offers on behalf of the coach.
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Athletes that choose not to sign early are still strongly encouraged to attend BCO tryouts. Athletes that do sign with their previous club are not permitted to attend tryouts for other clubs.
Please note:
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Athletes who utilize the Early Signing are not guaranteed:
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To be placed on a specific team (unless identified by the club).
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To be placed on an “AA” Level team vs. “A” Level team if applicable.
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Playing time.
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Athletes and clubs that utilize the Early Signing Period are committing to each other for a minimum of one season.
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Athletes who sign with their 2026 club for the 2027 season cannot attend tryouts for other clubs.
02. IN-PERSON TRYOUTS (MID NOVEMBER - EARLY DECEMBER)
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Registration for 2027 Club Season in-person tryouts will begin on or near October 15.
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Tryouts are open to all athletes within the eligible age groups as listed below.
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Offers to join a BCO team may occur any time during or after the tryout period and are at the sole discretion of coaches.
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Coaches may extend a verbal offer first, but all official offers will be sent via email.
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Players have until 6:00 pm on the Signing Date for their age division to accept or decline the offer. After that time, the Club reserves the right to withdraw the offer. Details about the Signing Date will be included in your offer letter.
03. POST TRYOUTS
Athletes who did not attend BCO in-person tryouts may still be invited to a training session to try out for a team, provided that they haven’t already signed to play for another Club. Again, this is at the sole discretion of the coaches and based on the needs of the team after the In-Person Tryout period.
BCO strives to create a positive, safe, and inclusive experience for all athletes who are trying out for a BCO club team and follows the rules and guidelines for Tryouts and Training, Rosters, and Recruiting set out in Volleyball BC’s Club Handbook.
BCO coaches take many factors into consideration for team formation including balancing individual player development (current skills and abilities with future potential) with team outcomes. Decisions around team formation are at the sole discretion of our coaches, and we ask that all participants in our team selection process are respectful of the outcome.
WHEN AND HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF I AM SELECTED FOR THE TEAM?
Athletes will be offered a position on a team personally at tryouts or be contacted via email and/or phone within 48-72 hours of the last tryout. Once an athlete accepts their spot on the team, the Club will email you more information about training schedules, payment, registration night, etc.
Sometimes there are delays in confirming teams. This is a result of having to wait for athletes commitment and signing dates. We appreciate your patience during this time and we will always expedite the process to the best of our ability.
If you are not selected for a team, we will notify you by email and give you some alternative options for continuing to play volleyball.
HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON EACH TEAM & HOW MANY TEAMS DOES BCO HAVE?
Volleyball BC sets the maximum number of players per team (usually 12-15 players), but final team numbers may range between 8-15 players depending on player selections at each age group. The number of teams BCO offers each year per age group depends on player, coach, and gym availability.
PRACTICE, TOURNAMENTS & COST
HOW LONG IS THE SEASON?
The season typically starts in late December or early January and runs through to the end of April (for 12-13U teams) or the end of May (for 14-18U teams). The exact duration varies by team, depending on their tournament schedule and whether they choose to attend Nationals (available to 14–18U teams), which is the final event of the season held in May. For 12–13U teams, there is no Nationals event, so their season usually concludes after Provincials in April.
WHEN & WHERE DO CLUB TEAMS PRACTICE?
Teams practice at various locations throughout North Vancouver and West Vancouver. While locations may vary each year based on availability, past facilities have included Mountainside Secondary, Lions Gate Christian Academy, Mulgrave School, and Memorial Recreation Centre.
Practices are typically held twice a week, Monday to Friday, for 1.5 to 2 hours each session from January through April or May. Some teams also add a third practice or strength & conditioning session weekly (at an additional cost)
WHEN ARE WHERE DO CLUB TOURNAMENTS TAKE PLACE?
Games & Tournaments:
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Take place on select weekends between January and May
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Most regular season tournaments are held in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan
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Provincial Championships are typically hosted in Abbotsford, Burnaby, or Richmond
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Our 14U–18U teams usually attend the National Championships each year, which are often held out of province but the location changes each year. *There are no Nationals for 12-13U age divisions but these teams may request to attend the 14U Nationals
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Some teams may also choose to participate in an additional tournament in the U.S. or another Canadian province during the season
HOW MUCH ARE CLUB FEES & WHAT DO THEY INCLUDE?
Club fees vary slightly from year to year but typically are around $2000 for 13-18U teams and $1500 for 12U teams.
Fees include:
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Entry fees for all Volleyball BC tournaments, including Provincials
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Two practices per week from January until Provincials for 12–13U teams (usually held in April), and until Nationals for 14–18U teams (usually held in May), excluding Spring Break and statutory holidays.
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Coaching honorarium
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Practice balls and medical kit
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Team gear kit (jerseys, sweatshirt, pants, shirts, etc)
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Coach education and VBC coach membership
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Club administration costs
Fees do not include:
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Personal items such as running shoes, shorts, and kneepads
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Travel-related expenses for out-of-town tournaments (including coach travel and accommodation)
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Any costs associated with optional “extra” tournaments, such as Nationals, playdays, or U.S. tournaments
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Any costs associated with "extra" practices or training