FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Practices Maps Teams Staff FAQ Tournaments Fundraising Camps & Clinics Forms Links Alumni Contact

Northwest Juniors Volleyball Club     HOME

Frequently Asked Question List
Choose a question below to see the answer, or scroll down to see them all.

Q:  What is Northwest Juniors Volleyball Club?
A:  Northwest JR's Volleyball Club is the oldest established Volleyball
Club in the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho). Established in 1972, NW Juniors offers programs for ELITE and beginning players. Managed by Northwest Volleyball, Northwest Juniors is a leader in the Volleyball community -- featuring management by the Puget Sound Region Junior Program Director, Tony Miranda.  One of our missions is to create and provide volleyball playing opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels.  Additionally, we attempt to provide opportunities in geographic areas that are in need of those programs.  We have been an Eastside club for almost 10 years, in 2005 we added teams in Edmonds, and for the 2008 season we will add affiliate teams in Kent in association with one of our club coaches at Kent-Meridian High School.   2007 saw growth for our club as we provided playing opportunities for over 250 Jr. volleyball players ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old. Tryouts are typically in November: for Under 14's it is typically the first weekend in November and for U15 and older teams it is after the State High School Volleyball Tournament.  Training camps and club meetings usually begin in December.   Teams compete in tournaments from January through June.  Our teams are separated into two categories: National Teams & Regional Teams.  National Teams are our most talented teams at each age group and they travel extensively throughout the season -- ending their season with either the YJOV National Championship Tournament or similar championship level tournament.  The balance of our teams are Regional teams -- they range in skill level from beginner to advanced, compete primarily within the Puget Sound Region and are the largest part of our club. For the 2007-2008 season, our club will be composed of 8 National teams (5 on the Eastside and 3 in Edmonds), and 21 Regional Teams (11 on the Eastside, 6 in Edmonds, and 4 in Kent).

NW Juniors is a member in good standing of the Puget Sound Region of the United States Volleyball Association.

TOP

Q:  When will tryouts be held?
A:  The tryouts usually take place in November. 
Dates and times for tryouts for Eastside teams, Edmonds teams, and Kent Teams are listed on our Tryout Page (updated for 2007-2008). 

TOP

Q:  What are the tryouts like?
A: 
The tryouts for the National Teams and the Regional teams are slightly different.  Tryouts for the National teams are more competitive and rigorous, as we are trying to select the best players at each age group.  Tryouts for the Regional teams, while still rigorous, take a little longer -- with so many teams to select.  There are more positions available for Regional teams, thus more opportunities for players to find a place within the club.  We typically do volleyball skill-related drills to assess each player's skill level, then begin selecting players for teams with multiple game-like drills. The best way to assess playing skill is through observing and evaluating players in a game-playing environment.  Team selection is done by the coach that will coach the team and players usually get the opportunity to interact and meet the coach that will be coaching them that the season -- at tryouts.

Throughout the tryout process, the NW Juniors coaching staff performs on-court evaluations of such things as attitude, effort, ability to communicate, competitiveness and desire.

TOP

Q:  What are the age group definitions?
A: 
In a nutshell, it is based on how old your child will be on September 1st of the following year (the calendar year of the club season).  That is the youngest age group players can compete in.  Here are the USA Volleyball age definition definitions for 2007-2008.

As a guide, the 18-U division typically contains high school seniors and juniors, the 17-U division is juniors only, the 16-U division consists of high school sophomores and freshmen, the 15-U division consists of freshmen only, the 14-U division is made up of 8th and 7th grade [middle school] students, the 13-U division consists of 7th graders only, the 12-U division contains 6th and 5th grade, Our U101 League will consist of 4th and 5th grade students.  The exception will be those students who are young for their grade level, and due to their birth date, can play at a younger division level. 

For those that are "old for their grade" or just miss the date as defined by their age group definitions, they must play at AGE level, not at GRADE level.  There are very few, if any, exceptions made for those in this category. 

TOP

Q:  Who do I contact for questions?
A:  For general questions regarding the
NW Juniors, you can contact Club Director Tony Miranda at 425-497-1051 X 102, or via e-mail at info@volleyballnw.com

TOP

Q:  What is club volleyball?
A:  Club volleyball is
an opportunity for volleyball players of varying abilities to continue their development past the fall school season.  Within the Puget Sound Region, [Puget Sound Region website] there are many clubs each consisting of teams of varying age groups.  All said, there are at least 200 teams within the region.  Northwest Juniors has been the largest club in the region for several years.

TOP

Q:  How are the different teams composed?
A: 
On the Eastside, we keep consistent naming within our even-aged and odd-aged teams.  For even aged teams "STORM" designates our #1 or National team and "CYCLONE" designates our #2 or top Regional team.  For odd aged teams "THUNDER" designates our #1 or National team and "TEMPEST" designates our #2 or top Regional team.  In the case of 16-unders and 14-unders, we usually go deeper than two teams and the names are "BLIZZARD' , "AVALANCHE", and "TORNADO"

For our Edmonds contingent, team names will be as follows: 18 Eclipse (National), 17 Twister, 16 Ice (National), 16 Blizzard, 15 Heat, 14 Eclipse (National), 14 Blizzard, 13 Twister, and 12 Eclipse.

The National teams, and especially the 18 STORM, 17 THUNDER, and 16 STORM teams are distinctively different from all the other teams in the club, in that these teams require additional commitments from their players in terms of finances and time, as these teams travel extensively and their playing seasons are extended through the first week of July.

TOP

Q:  How does a player get picked for a particular team?
A:  Northwest Juniors assigns players to teams based on a combination of tryout results and team composition needs.  The tryout results are determined from the volleyball game competition and also by on-court evaluations by the coaching staff of attitude, effort, ability to communicate, competitiveness and desire.  The team composition needs are determined by each individual coach's decision as to how many players are needed at each position (setter, middle blocker, outside hitter, libero, etc), with additional consideration given to such factors as physical height
, if they are returners to the club, and where they go to school.

The goal is to assign players to teams where they will have the best chance of individual success and be most capable of making a significant contribution to the team's success, as well as to meet the needs of the teams to allow for the strongest possible lineup.

TOP

Q:  How many players are on a team?
A:  The number of players on a team ranges from 10 to 12.  The exact number is dependent upon several factors, including team composition needs, ability level of players and number of athletes participating in tryouts.
  During tryouts, we would typically pick 12 players and one alternate at every position for every team.  Once selected, players are asked to sign a Puget Sound Region Letter of Commitment.  Once signed, players are committed to the club but have a 72 hour period after signing to change their minds.  After the 72 hour period passes, they are on the roster, and the club registration process begins.

TOP

Q:  How often do we play in tournaments?
A:  Teams usually participate in an average 2 tournament
days per month over the course of a season -- with February, March, and April being the heaviest months.   The tournaments are played on either Saturday or Sunday, sometimes both.  Ultimately, how often you will play in tournaments will depend upon which team you are on.

The open weekends remaining from the minimally-scheduled season may be filled with additional tournaments.  A tentative schedule will be available at the Informational Meeting held each year in early December, while the final schedule will be provided in early January.

TOP

Q:  Where are the tournaments held?
A:  Tournaments are held at a variety of locations
throughout the Puget Sound Region.  Every team age 13 and over is afforded at least one travel or overnight tournament.   Many teams will also travel to Yakima, Washington for a two-day tournament there and/or Spokane for a three-day tournament.   For teams that choose to finish their season at the Volleyball Festival, there will be the additional travel to Reno, Nevada.

Tournament locations for the 18 Storm, 18 Eclipse, and 17 Thunder teams will also include the Las Vegas, Invitational in February, and two out of town Qualifiers (Spokane and either Los Angeles, Texas, Colorado, Reno, or Minneapolis).  For 16 Storm, 16 Ice, 15 Thunder, 14 Storm, and 14 Eclipse their schedule will most likely include the two out of town Qualifiers.

TOP

Q:  When will we get tournament information?
A:  The timing for receiving tournament information such as gym location and start times primarily depends upon the respective tournament director.  Due to team cancellations, the tourney schedule is not set until the week prior.  Most directors manage to inform the team coach by the Wednesday immediately preceding the weekend's tournament.  Once our club receives tournament information, it is posted on our home page, so players and parents are asked to check the home page frequently for those updates.

Specifically, the information for Northwest Juniors-hosted tournaments will be posted on our website by the Tuesday or Wednesday immediately preceding the tourney.  Larger tournaments like qualifiers and The Yakima Jamboree typically has information available on their website about 1 week prior with updates and revisions given out to coaches at their coaches meeting the night before the tournament.  Most qualifiers have a coaches meeting the night before the tournament and we find out our playing schedule at that time.

TOP

Q:  How often do we practice?
A:  Teams practice 2 times per week, typically on Sunday afternoons/evenings and a weeknight  (Monday - Friday). 
On occasions where a tournament is played on a weekend, there are no Sunday practices. 
Some teams will get two practices per week during the week (not Sundays).  Because there are so many teams in the club, and because we compete with basketball for gyms, we cannot guarantee that teams will practice the same two days each week every month -- though we do our best to accommodate.  Early weeknight practice times are typically reserved for the younger teams.  Our latest practice times (often 8:00 - 10:00 PM) are reserved for the older teams (U16 and older).  Additionally, in the early and late season, NATIONAL TEAMS typically get either a third practice or position-specific practice each week.  Throughout the season -- when gym time is available -- position tutoring is also offered for the entire club.

TOP

Q:  Where do we practice?
A:  For our Eastside teams, practice locations center around the I-405 corridor from Bothell to Renton.  Specifically, practices are held at any of the following: 
Bellevue Community College, Newport High School, Tillicum Middle School, Juanita High School, Northshore JHS, Canyon Park JHS, and Kenmore JHS to name a few.

For our Edmonds teams, practice are primarily at Edmonds Community College, and occasionally at schools down the I-405 corridor as far south as Northshore Junior High (160th St. Exit) or Juanita HS (Totem Lake Exit).

All Kent Royals teams will practice at Kent-Meridian High School.

TOP

Q:  How much does it cost?
A:  There are several different fee structures to consider, depending upon the team.  For most teams, their fees will cover
December - June participation with the exception being the U12 teams, which are finished after the Regional Championships in late April/early May.  Typical costs can include initiation ($295 in 2007), USA Volleyball Registration ($60), and season dues ($800 - $1700 depending on team and payment plan).

The National teams have entirely different fee structures due to their up-front commitment to extensive travel.  In 2007, travel costs for National Teams were an additional $800 to $2000.  National team travel costs typically cover these tournaments: Las Vegas (U17/U18), Yakima Jamboree, Spokane Qualifier, an out of state National Qualifier, Emerald City Classic, and Volleyball Festival or Nationals.  Once committed to a National team, all members of that team pay the travel amount associated with that team.  Whether they attend the event or not (because of time conflicts) all National Team members are responsible for paying their portion of the team's travel.  Additionally, by committing to enroll on a National team, players (and their parents) are showing a commitment to making these travel tournaments a priority on their schedule (to include our end of season event).  We feel the travel schedule is provided early enough for National team players to fully commit to all travel for their team.  The success of our teams at these events depends greatly on 100% attendance and participation by all team members.

For Regional teams, they pay the cost of the out of region tournaments on an event by event basis.  They pay for travel costs, as well as optional tournament entry fees separately.  Regional teams also have the option of attending other travel tournaments at an additional cost -- a few of our Regional Teams choose to attend the Volleyball Festival as a season-ending tournament.

Specific fee amounts will be available at the parents informational meeting held during tryouts.

TOP

Q:  What are the fees used for?
A:  Fees cover a variety of costs associated with participation in club volleyball, namely: tournament entry (minimum of $115
per tourney); equipment such as uniforms, warm-ups, gym equipment, gym rentals, volleyballs and medical supplies; coaches salaries, monthly expenses such as phone, postage, printing and materials; USA Volleyball National Office per athlete expenses such as insurance; Region team membership; Northwest Juniors-hosted tournament costs; awards; concessions; officials; custodial / rentals; and donations to school programs that allow us to use their facilities. 

TOP

Q:  What do the fees not cover?
A:  Players and their parents will need to consider costs that are not included in their fee payment, namely: travel costs (gas) for local tournaments, airfare for National Qualifier tournaments; food and drink while traveling; lodging for overnight stays in additional to club-sponsored travel tournaments, if desired; personal playing equipment such as shoes, kneepads, volleyballs, and ankle support braces.  Because of our association with sponsors, however, we are typically able to offer many of these items a great discount to our members.

TOP

Q:  How long does the season last?
A:  The typical season begins with try-outs in November, followed by team registration and a club-wide meeting, and the initial practices
/training camp in mid to late December.  For U12 teams it typically concludes with the Regional Tournament in late April.  For Nationals teams, their season concludes with Nationals in Dallas, Texas and/or any other late season championship event (like Volleyball Festival).  For Regional teams their season concludes with the Memorial Day Weekend Classic, unless they choose to attend Volleyball Festival -- in that case, they will be given additional practices leading up that tournament and their season will conclude in late June/early July.  Dates for the 2008 Junior National Championships are June 26 - July 5, with teams competing in a four-day event during that time period; dates for Volleyball Festival are June 28 - July 4.

TOP

Q:  What is The Volleyball Festival?
A:  The Volleyball Festival is not only the largest volleyball tournament in the world, but it's also the largest annual sporting event.  Over 900 teams from across the entire USA, and some foreign countries, participate in the 4 age divisions;
the tournament will be held in RENO,  NEVADA.  A minimum of 13 matches are guaranteed for each team, and the tournament format ensures that teams will compete against other teams of similar ability.  The Festival is usually held in late June
/early July, with competition lasting for an entire week.  Teams travel by car or plane to the Reno area for the tournament.  During the tournament, athletes are housed in hotels in the Reno/Sparks area.

You can find out more about the Volleyball Festival by visiting their website volleyball-festival.com.

TOP

Q:  Are there fundraisers offered by the club?
A:  NW Juniors
produces for a Club Yearbook and club members secure advertisers for that yearbook.  Players are given 80% of all ad revenue into their accounts, with the other 20% going towards production costs for the yearbook.  We also encourage individual fundraising activities, such as solicitation of businesses for sponsorship, car washes, phone book distribution, etc..  Assistance by Northwest Juniors in the form of working scholarships will be provided upon written request, and is based on need.  No working scholarships are awarded before February 15th.

TOP

Northwest Juniors Volleyball Club is 

proudly sponsored by adidas