Club Team Frequently Asked Questions
If you cannot find the answer to your questions here, please feel free to Contact Us anytime!
When are tryouts?
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 September. Registration for tryouts will open on October 7 at the latest.
How many teams do you have?
The number of teams and age divisions can vary from year to year but we typically offer teams for 12-18U Girls and 14-16U Boys.
For the 2025 season, we plan on offering the following teams (but this is subject to change):
12U Girls - 2 teams
13U Girls - 2 teams
14U Girls - 2 teams
15U Girls - 2 teams
16U Girls - 1 team
17U Girls - 1 team
18U Girls - 1 team
13U Boys - 1 team
14U Boys - 1 team
15U Boys - 1 team
16U Boys - 1 team
17U Boys - 1 team
For the 2025 season, we plan on offering the following teams (but this is subject to change):
12U Girls - 2 teams
13U Girls - 2 teams
14U Girls - 2 teams
15U Girls - 2 teams
16U Girls - 1 team
17U Girls - 1 team
18U Girls - 1 team
13U Boys - 1 team
14U Boys - 1 team
15U Boys - 1 team
16U Boys - 1 team
17U Boys - 1 team
How many players are on each team?
Most teams have 11-13 players. However, it is ultimately up to the coaches to decide how many players they want to take and they may choose more or less players.
WHAT Age category should my son/daughter tryout for?
Below are the age categories for the 2025 season, as per the Volleyball BC regulations:
18U: Athletes born from September 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2007
17U: Athletes born from September 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2008
16U: Athletes born from September 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2009
15U: Athletes born from September 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010
14U: Athletes born from September 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2011
13U: Athletes born from September 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2012
12U: Athletes born from September 1, 2012 to Dec 31, 2013
If your child is born between Sept 1 and Dec 31, they can "play down" to the younger age division. Athletes that “play down” may only compete at one Regional Championship, Provincial Championship, and National Championship (all in the same age category). In order to “play down”, athletes should register, pay and attend both tryouts (correct age level and lower age level) in order to be considered for both teams.
18U: Athletes born from September 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2007
17U: Athletes born from September 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2008
16U: Athletes born from September 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2009
15U: Athletes born from September 1, 2009 to Dec 31, 2010
14U: Athletes born from September 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2011
13U: Athletes born from September 1, 2011 to Dec 31, 2012
12U: Athletes born from September 1, 2012 to Dec 31, 2013
If your child is born between Sept 1 and Dec 31, they can "play down" to the younger age division. Athletes that “play down” may only compete at one Regional Championship, Provincial Championship, and National Championship (all in the same age category). In order to “play down”, athletes should register, pay and attend both tryouts (correct age level and lower age level) in order to be considered for both teams.
are athletes allowed to "play UP" an age level?
Yes, athletes may "play up" but in order to do so, athletes must attend and pay for both tryouts (at their correct age division and the higher age division). This is to ensure that the coaches are able to properly evaluate each athlete in comparison to the other athletes in that age division.
how and when will athletes be notified of team selection after tryouts
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.
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.
DO ATHLETES HAVE TO ACCEPT THEIR SPOTS IMMEDIATELY?
No. Although you can accept your spot right away, you do not have to. If you need time to consider your options, you will have until 6pm on the Offer Signing Date to accept your offer.
The Offer Signing Date is determined by Volleyball BC and varies by age division. The 2023/24 Club Season Offer Signing Dates are:
The Offer Signing Date is determined by Volleyball BC and varies by age division. The 2023/24 Club Season Offer Signing Dates are:
- 12U/13U/14U – November 27, 2023
- 15U – December 4, 2023
- 16/17U/18U – December 11, 2023
HOW LONG IS THE SEASON?
The season typically begins in January and runs until late April/early May. The exact length of the season depends on each teams tournament schedule and whether they decide to attend Nationals, which is the final event of the season.
What is the early signing PERIOD AND WHEN IS IT?
Volleyball BC put the Early Signing Period in place to accommodate and promote loyalty between athletes and clubs. The Early Signing Period is only available to the 15-18U age divisions. For the 2025 season, the Early Signing Period will be from Sept 15-Nov 1, 2024. During this time, returning athletes are permitted to sign with their previous club if the Club extends an offer to them.
Athletes that choose not to sign early are strongly encouraged to attend BCO tryouts. Athletes that do sign with their previous club are not permitted to attend tryouts for other clubs.
Athletes that choose not to sign early are strongly encouraged to attend BCO tryouts. Athletes that do sign with their previous club are not permitted to attend tryouts for other clubs.
When and wHERE DO TEAMS PRACTICE?
Teams practice at a number of locations around the City and District of North Vancouver. The exact locations can change from year to year, depending on availability, but in past years our main practice facilities were Mountainside Secondary, Lions Gate Christian Academy, Mulgrave School, and Memorial Recreation Centre.
Teams usually practice 2-3 times per week between Mon-Fri for 1.5-2 hours each practice and play approximately 6-8 tournaments throughout the season. Tournament are typically held on weekends.
Teams usually practice 2-3 times per week between Mon-Fri for 1.5-2 hours each practice and play approximately 6-8 tournaments throughout the season. Tournament are typically held on weekends.
when and WHERE do tournaments take place?
In past years, most tournaments took place around BC (the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan, and Vancouver Island). Some teams also choose to attend a tournament in the US (usually Washington or Las Vegas) and most attend the National Championships.
Please check out the 2025 Volleyball BC Tentative Tournament Schedule for more details on proposed the tournament schedule.
For the 2025 season, Nationals tournaments take place:
You can find the details for the 2025 National Championships here.
Please note, not all teams choose to attend all of the VBC tournaments and some teams choose to attend other tournaments including playdays and US tournaments.
Please check out the 2025 Volleyball BC Tentative Tournament Schedule for more details on proposed the tournament schedule.
For the 2025 season, Nationals tournaments take place:
- 14U Boys & Girls: Winnipeg May 9-11
- 15U Boys: Edmonton May 9-11
- 15U Girls & 17U Boys: Edmonton May 15-17
- 16U Girls & 17U Girls: Edmonton May 19-21
- 16U Boys & 18U Boys & 18U Girls: Edmonton May 23-25
You can find the details for the 2025 National Championships here.
Please note, not all teams choose to attend all of the VBC tournaments and some teams choose to attend other tournaments including playdays and US tournaments.
how much are the club fees and what do they include?
Club fees vary slightly from year to year but typically are around $1900 for the season. The fees for the 12U team will be slightly less due to them having shorter practices (90 minutes instead of 2 hours).
The fees include:
Fees do not include:
The fees include:
- tournament entry fees for VBC tournaments, including Provincials
- uniform kit
- team uniform and gear kit
- coaches honorariums
- 2 practices per week from Jan to the Nationals tournament for your age group (excluding Spring Break and Stat holidays)
- club administration costs
- criminal record checks for all personnel directly involved with the team
- coaches education costs as mandated by Volleyball BC
- equipment provided by the club for practices (balls, ball carts, etc)
- coach's Volleyball BC membership
Fees do not include:
- Running shoes
- Shorts
- Kneepads
- Any extra practices (eg. if a team chooses to run a 3rd practice each week)
- all travel expenses for out-of-town tournaments (including coaches' hotels and travel expenses)
- any costs related to "extra tournaments", such as Nationals, playdays, and US tournaments
