MATCHBOX VOLLEYBALL CLUB 2019 CLUB HANDBOOK CLUB MISSION Matchbox Volleyball Club: To serve the volleyball community through excellence in coaching & training. CLUB DESCRIPTION Matchbox Volleyball Club (MBVB) provides developmental and competitive volleyball opportunities to young athletes ages 8 to 18. This club serves the northeast South Dakota and southeast North Dakota regions including schools and towns within a radius of 100 miles of Aberdeen, South Dakota. The club is structured within two independent seasons: Winter Season I (January-February); Spring Season II (March-May). Athletes may choose to participate in one or both seasons. Each season offers opportunities to participate in one of three programs: Regional Teams, Local Teams, and Practice Players and in one of five age groups: 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s; season offerings are dependent upon demand. See individual team division sections below for more information on team philosophy, travel requirements, and season offerings. Division: REGIONAL Regional teams focus on preparing athletes to advance their level of play and knowledge of the sport; thus, creating opportunities for their continued involvement in the game of volleyball. Players who wish to play collegiate volleyball may also receive the option of obtaining collegiate recruiting assistance from Matchbox staff which includes advising and facilitating contact with collegiate volleyball programs. Teams consist of 8-11 players (average 9 players), and travel throughout the Midwest region (SD, MN, ND, NE, IA) may be required. Regional Season I: JAN-FEB 14s, 16s, 18s $260 2 Tournaments, 1-2 Practices per Week Regional Season II: MAR-MAY 14s, 16s, 18s $625-$1200 5-8 Tournaments, 1-2 Practices per Week Division: Local MBVB Local teams focus on skill development through the participation in a competitive environment. Teams are coached by accomplished area coaches and collegiate volleyball players from Northern State University and Presentation College. Teams consist of 8-11 players (average 9 players), and travel up to 100 miles may be required. Local Season II: MAR-MAY 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s $425-$450 4 Tournaments, 1-2 Practices per Week Division: PRACTICE PLAYER MBVB Practice Players receive the opportunity to increase their volleyball skills through weekly or semi-weekly practices. Practice players receive skill instruction from the Matchbox staff with no tournament travel required. Players practice with the regional and local division teams, but will not be placed on a team roster. Practice Season I: JAN-FEB 16s, 18s $75 1-2 Practices Per Week Practice Season II: MAR-MAY 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s $125 1-2 Practices Per Week
AGE DIVISIONS Matchbox Volleyball Club (MBVB) is a member of North Country Region (NCR), USA Volleyball (USAV), AAU Volleyball, and Junior Volleyball Association (JVA). The age divisions, as set-forth by the NCR, are used in determining a player s age division. 2017-2018 JUNIOR GIRLS AGE CLASSIFICATIONS AND DEFINTIONS 18 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 1999 or Players who were born on or after September 1, 1998 and a high school student in the twelfth (12th) grade or below during some part of the current academic year 18 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2000 or Players who were born on or after September 1, 1999 and a high school student in the twelfth (12th) grade or below during some part of the current academic year 17 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2001 (Grade 11 North Country Region only!)* 16 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2002 (Grade 10 North Country Region only!)* 15 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2003 (Grade 9 North Country Region only!)* 14 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2004 (Grade 8 North Country Region only!)* 13 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2005 (Grade 7 North Country Region only!)* 12 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2006 (Grade 6 North Country Region only!)* 11 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2007 (Grade 5 North Country Region only!)* 10 and Under Division Players who were born on or after September 1, 2008 (Grade 4 North Country Region only!)* COMMITTMENT Playing club volleyball at Matchbox requires a level of commitment to the program. Teams will practice 1-2 times per week and attend a series of tournaments throughout the winter and spring seasons. We encourage all athletes to be involved in other activities outside of volleyball, and we understand that athletes may miss some Matchbox events for such activities. However, please try to attend as many practices and tournaments as possible to help ensure a positive experience for every player on the team. A team struggles to prepare for a tournament when only half of the team is available to practice each week. If an athlete is unable to attend a Matchbox event, please notify the coach as early as possible so the coach can plan accordingly. Excessive unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the team as determined by the club director. Players and their families will receive a warning if a player is reaching her limit of unexcused absences. PLAYER RESPONSIBILITIES & CODE OF CONDUCT 1. Players should have a general knowledge of the sport of volleyball, USA Volleyball, and North Country Region rules and regulations. 2. At any time, no player shall make any negative remarks about or gestures towards another player, team, coach, official, or parent/s. 3. At all times players are expected to act appropriately and dress tastefully, keeping in mind that they are representing the Matchbox Volleyball program. 4. When participating in a tournament, players should not leave personal property or team belongings unattended. 5. Players are responsible for leaving all facilities neat and clean at both practice and tournament sites
6. Please follow the rules of the playing sites regarding food, drinks, and coolers. 7. When officiating at tournaments, no player should leave the tournament while her team is officiating. 8. At practices players should help setup and take down nets and other equipment. 9. It is a player s responsibility to inform her coach directly in a timely manner of any absences. PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES & CODE OF CONDUCT 1. Parents should have a general knowledge of the sport of volleyball, USA Volleyball, and North Country Region rules and regulations. 2. At any time, no parent or spectator shall make any negative remarks about or gestures towards another player, team, coach, official, or parent/s. 3. At all times parents are expected to act appropriately and dress tastefully, keeping in mind that they are representing the Matchbox Volleyball program. 4. Parents provide transportation to and from tournaments and practices. 5. Cheer for our Matchbox teams, and not against another team- be positive! 6. Demonstrate good sportsmanship for your daughter. Do not engage in negative behavior with the officials, coaches, players, or spectators. This type of behavior will not be tolerated. 7. Be supportive of your daughter, her team, her coach, and the Matchbox Volleyball program. 8. Parents will NEVER ask specific questions relating to playing time, positions, or strategic coaching decisions to the coach. COMMUNICATION & COMPLAINTS Matchbox Volleyball Club (MBVB) will communicate with players and parents primarily via email. Tournament schedules, practice changes, and other important team-related information will be sent to the email addresses provided at team registration. Information will also be communicated through the Matchbox website (matchboxrec.com) and to the player directly. If you have additional questions please email the player s coach or info@matchboxrec.com. If there is an issue or cause for concern that needs to be addressed, please follow these guidelines: Step #1: Player (not the parent) talks to her coach directly about the issue. If the issue is not resolved, then: Step #2: Player or parent notifies the club director in writing via email (info@matchboxrec.com) or mail (PO Box 482 Aberdeen SD 57401). Please give the club director 5 business days to review, research, and attempt to rectify the situation. If the issue is not resolved, then: Step #3: Player AND the parent will meet with the club director to discuss the issue. Please communicate with all coaches, club staff, players, and parents in a respectful and considerate manner. Disrespectful or rude communications will not be tolerated. At no time will a parent, friend, relative, or anyone else in connection with the participating athlete discuss playing time, ability, or strategy with the coach or program director. Do not call the coach or the director with your concerns. Please follow the instructions above if you have a concern that needs to be addressed. TOURNAMENT PLAYING TIME Playing time will be at the discretion of the coach who will look to utilize each athlete s abilities that will best serve the team s needs. The attitude of the athlete, the level of competition, the ability of the athlete, the athlete s practice attendance, the needs of the team, and the importance of the event will be used in determining a player s court time. Playing time will not be equal for all athletes on the team; however, every player will play in each tournament she attends.
TOURNAMENT & TRAVEL RULES Each player and parent will take personal responsibility to conduct themselves with respectful behavior and sportsmanlike conduct at all times. In addition, the players agree to the following guidelines: I will respect and follow the rules, regulations, and curfews established by the coaches and/or chaperones. I will arrive on time. I will notify a coach or chaperone immediately once I realize travel conditions may cause me to be late. I will get the coach s permission to leave the gym at all times so my absence does not interfere with my teams playing or refereeing commitments. I will treat other teams, players, coaches, and officials with respect with which I would want them to treat my teammates and me. TRAVEL Parents are responsible for travel to and from practices and tournaments. All travel expense incurred by the athlete are the responsibility of the parent including, but not limited to, hotel accommodations, food, and all transportation expenses. UNIFORMS For tournaments players will be required to wear Matchbox jerseys (club-issued), black Adidas spandex, white Adidas socks, white Adidas kneepads and yellow ¼ zip warmup. Uniform jerseys will be provided to all regional and local team players. These jerseys must be returned to a MBVB staff at the end of the club season. Players are responsible for purchasing or fundraising for Adidas spandex, socks, kneepads, and warmup. For practices players will be required to wear the designated Matchbox practice shirt. One practice shirt was given to each athlete at tryouts, another practice shirt will be provided to each athlete at the first practice. FUNDRAISING We strive to make club volleyball an affordable option for everyone. The Matchbox Fundrasing Program was established to help athletes earn Adidas club gear and to offset membership dues and travel expenses that families incur when participating in club volleyball. The Matchbox Fundraising Program is 100% optional, but all players are required to wear Adidas spandex and ¼ zip warmup during the tournaments. The gear may be earned by selling discount coupon books or Matchbox Recreation Center Sponsorships, or gear may be purchased by opting out of the program ($100). For more information on the fundraising program please visit www.matchboxrec.com/fundraising. INSURANCE USA Volleyball Insurance covers practices, sanctioned events, and competitions. The insurance policy requires a medical release form to be in the possession of a staff member at all practices and events. Such form will be required from athletes prior to participation in any event or practice. INJURY POLICY All injuries must be reported immediately to the athlete s coach and/or the club director. In the event of an injury, the athlete will not be permitted to participate until written clearance is obtained from the athlete s physician. Payments made to Matchbox Recreation Center, LLC or Matchbox Volleyball Club are not refundable, except in the case of an injury or illness that concludes an athlete s ability to participate for the remainder of the season.
The amount to be refunded is prorated based upon the amount of participation and other budgetary items directly used by the individual. Parents must request a special-circumstance refund in writing and attach a statement from the athlete s physician. Minimum payment forfeited is $100 which covers USA Volleyball registration and applicable gear. FINANCIAL OBLIGATION Membership fees for Matchbox Volleyball Club (MBVB) are as follows: SEASON I (JAN-FEB) SEASON II (MAR-MAY) Regional Team $250 $625-$1200 Local Team Not Available $400-$450 Practice Player $75 $125 These fees cover NCR player membership fee, NCR team membership fee, tournament entry fees, coaches salaries, facility rentals, uniforms, and equipment. Payment in full or enrollment in an online payment plan are required prior to securing a spot on a traveling team. Delinquent accounts may result in the removal of a player from a team and/or practices. WEATHER ANNOUNCEMENTS In the event of severe weather practices will be cancelled. We will post practice cancellation on our websitematchboxrec.com, Facebook page-@matchboxrec, Twitter Feed- @matchboxrec, and we will send an email to all players and parents. Playing time will not be affected if an athlete is unable to come to practice due to weatherrelated issues.