Lower Alabama Volleyball Association LAVA Club Handbook for 2008-2009 LAVA is a member of the USA Volleyball Association. USAVA Club volleyball is a highly organized, nationwide competitive volleyball network designed for athletes to refine their volleyball skills, compete at the regional and national level, expose their abilities to collegiate recruiters and train to achieve any development goals they may have for the sport of volleyball. The MISSION of the LAVA Volleyball Club is to be a competitive program dedicated to advancing the personal and athletic development of youth through the pursuit of excellence in volleyball, fostering a sense of community throughout the club and promoting leadership in all club members. The LAVA Volleyball Club is part of the Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball. 1
I. General Policy 1. While representing Lower Alabama Volleyball Association (LAVA) all athletes and parents are expected to behave in a responsible manner. Determination of what is responsible lies solely with the LAVA administration. 2. Any athlete damaging equipment owned by LAVA or any facility used by the club during practices, tournaments or other functions, or at lodging facilities, or in transportation vehicles, will be required to reimburse the club and/or facility for the damages before continuing in the club. In some circumstances, the athlete may be dismissed from the club. 3. An athlete with a delinquent account during the current season may be denied the privilege of playing in a tournament and/or asked to sit out at practice until the account is paid or arrangements are made with the director. 4. Players will register to participate in the Gulf Coast Region online this year. http://www.gulfcoastvolleyball.org/onlinereg.asp There is a link for NEW Members or RENEWING Members. You will also need to go to the FORMS link on the website and print out the paperwork listed below in Section 5. 5. Players will not be allowed to participate in tryouts, practice, or be placed on a team until the following are received: USA Gulf Coast Region Registration Form (print online). When registering online they may not require USA Form any more. USA Volleyball Player History and Release Form (print online). This is your medical release form. The on-line site will issue you this. Print it and get notorized. Membership Agreement On-line registration paperwork (that you print out) Registration Payment Received - $150.00 2
6. LAVA has the philosophy that playing time for all athletes is determined by the performance of the athlete, and this performance is left to the discretion of his/her LAVA coach. This includes playing time on travel tournaments. 7. There is no swimming policy while athletes are under club supervision on out-oftown trips 8. LAVA does not allow any athlete to wear any attire that represents alcohol or tobacco products. Also, no shirts of vulgar nature or with drug references will be tolerated. II. Practice 1. Tryouts and team practices are open to parents interested in attending. 2. All athletes are expected to attend every practice. Only an illness serious enough to keep the athlete home from school or a genuine family emergency is legitimate excuses for missing practice. Regardless of the reason, if an athlete misses an excessive number of practices, her playing time may decrease. 3. LAVA understands that participation in school activities is a reasonable excuse to be absent from a tournament or practice. Please be responsible in helping your LAVA coach plan for these activities. 4. If an athlete cannot be at practice, CALL THE COACH. It is the athlete s responsibility not the parent to reach the coach before practice begins. 5. Scheduled practice time is start time. Please arrive early enough to be dressed and stretched prior to start time, which usually requires arriving 15 minutes before start time. 6. Athletes are encouraged to bring water in unbreakable containers to practice. No glass allowed in facilities. 3
III. Tournaments 1. All athletes are expected to attend every tournament in which her team has been scheduled. The tournament schedule is provided early in the season so they can arrange accordingly. 2. Parents and athletes are financially responsible for all tournaments in which their team will compete, no matter what the reason is for absence. LAVA will pay for three Gulf Coast Regional Tournaments. 3. No Food, Drink (other then water), or Chewing Gum is allowed in any gym any time. A tournament director may penalize teams if parents and/or supporters ignore rules. 4. Parents/Athletes are responsible for providing transportation for their athlete to and from tournament sites. Athletes can only be excused from play sites by their LAVA coach. 5. Officiating at tournaments is a shared responsibility of the entire team. All LAVA players must attend the official s clinic (TBA) to learn the rules of volleyball and to become a certified referee and/or scorer. IV. Grievance Procedure Knowing when to communicate and how to communicate with your daughter s coach is a concern for almost every parent at some time during the season. Most often this concern is how to inquire about issues surrounding playing time. The procedure to follow if you as a parent or your athlete as a member of a LAVA team, have concerns about LAVA policies or actions, are as follows: The athlete should approach the coach and discuss the matter. 4
The parent should meet with the coach. This should be set up with a phone call to set a meeting that will occur before or after a scheduled practice. The correct time to address these problems is not at a tournament! Failure to follow this LAVA policy can cause a player to be removed from their team. If a player is removed all financial obligations paid up to the date of removal will be forfeit. V. Team Organization, Try Outs, Coaching & Financial Expenditures LAVA will attempt to field teams at all age levels from ages 10-18 depending on participation. Roster sizes will vary but usually consist of 9 to 12 athletes. Most practices will be held at local schools. Teams can practice two or three times a week for 2 hours depending on availability of gyms and team needs. LAVA is attempting to build the best coaching staff in the region. All our coaches will have previous coaching or playing experience and have received certification from the Gulf Coast Region and/or USA Volleyball. Try Outs will be in the first two weeks of December. If you try out and are not placed on a team you will be refunded your initial payment minus a $35.00 try out fee which covers facilities and insurance expense. Age groups and locations will be posted on the web at: http://www.fairhopehs.com/?pagename='servicepage'&serviceid='800' Your 2008-2009 Club dues will cover facilities fees, coaching fees, USA registration fees, Gulf Coast Region fees, uniforms, equipment, administrative expenses, and the entry fee for three regional tournaments. The club dues will have two options to be paid in full or divided into monthly payments. The cost of additional tournaments, coaching per diem, and coaches lodging will be an additional cost that will be divided individually among the members of the teams. 5
CLUB DUES SCHEDULE Teams (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) Date Fee *December at Tryout $150.00 or Pay $550.00 at registration! *All paper work must be completed and turned in on the first tryout date. January 6 $100.00 February 3 $100.00 March 3 (covers April) $200.00 Post Season-if qualify for nationals May 5 (covers June) $200.00 Late fees: All payments are to be made by the first Tuesday of each month. If payment is not received on time a $5.00 late fee per practice will be added to the next month club fee! Fees are to be paid by cash, check or money order. Please make payment out to: LAVA Volleyball Club All mailed payments should be sent to: Mary Laubenthal 9916 Windmill Road #3 Fairhope AL 36532 6