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?
Due to COVID-19, the 2021 Club season has been postponed slightly. Tryouts will most likely take place over 3 weeks near the beginning of January. We will post our full tryout schedule on our website as soon as it is confirmed.
How many teams do you have?
For the 2021 season, we plan to offer one or two teams (depending on gym and coach availability) in the following age divisions:
Girls - 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U
Boys - 16U, 17U
Girls - 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U
Boys - 16U, 17U
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 2020/2021 season, as per the Volleyball BC regulations:
18U: Athletes born from September 1, 2002 to Dec 31, 2003
17U: Athletes born from September 1, 2003 to Dec 31, 2004
16U: Athletes born from September 1, 2004 to Dec 31, 2005
15U: Athletes born from September 1, 2005 to Dec 31, 2006
14U: Athletes born from September 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2007
13U: Athletes born from September 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2008
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 must register, pay and attend both tryouts (correct age level and lower age level). It is essential to attend both tryouts in order to ensure athletes are appropriately evaluated and to provide athletes greater opportunity to be placed on a team.
18U: Athletes born from September 1, 2002 to Dec 31, 2003
17U: Athletes born from September 1, 2003 to Dec 31, 2004
16U: Athletes born from September 1, 2004 to Dec 31, 2005
15U: Athletes born from September 1, 2005 to Dec 31, 2006
14U: Athletes born from September 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2007
13U: Athletes born from September 1, 2007 to Dec 31, 2008
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 must register, pay and attend both tryouts (correct age level and lower age level). It is essential to attend both tryouts in order to ensure athletes are appropriately evaluated and to provide athletes greater opportunity to be placed on a team.
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 AND INFORMATION?
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. Team lists will also be posted on the BCO website as soon as teams are finalized.
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 dates will be posted here when the 2021 Volleyball BC Handbook is available.
The Offer Signing Date is determined by Volleyball BC and varies by age division. The dates will be posted here when the 2021 Volleyball BC Handbook is available.
HOW LONG IS THE SEASON? AND HOW MANY PRACTICES AND TOURNAMENTS DO TEAMS HAVE?
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.
Teams usually practice two to three times per week and play approximately 6-8 tournaments throughout the season. However, due to COVID-19, teams will most likely play only 4-5 tournaments this year.
Teams usually practice two to three times per week and play approximately 6-8 tournaments throughout the season. However, due to COVID-19, teams will most likely play only 4-5 tournaments this year.
What is the early signing PERIOD AND WHEN IS IT?
Volleyball BC put the Early Signing Date in place to accommodate and promote loyalty between athletes and clubs. Returning athletes are permitted to sign with their previous club during the Early Signing Period, if the Club extends an offer to them. For the 2021 season, the Early Signing Date will be from Oct 15-Nov 15, 2020.
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.
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, Sutherland Secondary, and Micky Mcdougall Recreation Centre. We also occasionally offer additional optional training at Stratford Hall in East Vancouver.
For the 2021 season, gym availability is VERY limited and we may end up running some practices in other areas, such as Vancouver or Burnaby.
Please click here for address information.
For the 2021 season, gym availability is VERY limited and we may end up running some practices in other areas, such as Vancouver or Burnaby.
Please click here for address information.
WHAT IS THE ATHLETE APPLICATION PERIOD AND WHEN IS IT?
In an effort to keep tryouts small, Volleyball BC has created a new Athlete Application Period this year to allow athletes to request a spot on a team without actually attending tryouts. The Athlete Application Period will be from Nov 16-Dec 5, 2020. During this time, athletes will be able to submit an application to any clubs (including the club they played for during the 2020 season) using the Volleyball BC Online Athlete Application. Volleyball BC will be providing a link to the Online Athlete Application in the coming weeks and we will post this on our website.
WHERE DO TOURNAMENTS TAKE PLACE?
In past years, most tournaments took place around BC (the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan and Vancouver Island). Some teams would also attend a tournament in the US (Washington or Las Vegas) and most would attend National Championships. The location of Nationals changes from year to year.
The 2021 Season will look a little different because of COVID-19. Tournaments will be much smaller and all of them will be local (within the Lower Mainland). Teams will not be attending any tournaments in the US and teams will decide whether or not they wish to attend Nationals. You can find the details for the 2021 National Championships HERE.
The 2021 Season will look a little different because of COVID-19. Tournaments will be much smaller and all of them will be local (within the Lower Mainland). Teams will not be attending any tournaments in the US and teams will decide whether or not they wish to attend Nationals. You can find the details for the 2021 National Championships HERE.
