NEW for 2012

Tryouts/Season of Play
Clubs will be permitted to facilitate clinics & camps in the off-season (June 1-November 30), but can’t sign athletes until the “Signing Date”. However, Alberta Volleyball recommends that clubs DO NOT facilitate any programs during the school season to prevent athlete participation overlapping between the two volleyball seasons.
Verbal commitments made at anytime are strictly informal as signing the AVA Membership Waiver form on the “Signing Date” is the only binding contract recognized by Alberta Volleyball. Clubs are required to ensure their coaches are honest and upfront with athletes/parents, and are using ethical recruiting practices.
The try-out period (13 days) for all age groups begins the Monday after the ASAA Provincial Championship. For the 2011/12 season, the try-out period begins on Monday, November 28 and finishes on Sunday, December 11. Athletes are not eligible to sign with a club until the last day of the tryout period, the “Signing Date”. For 2011/12 season the date is Sunday, December 11. Clubs cannot collect any club deposits or fees until this time, excluding a try-out fee.

Any areas that have a city or regional Junior High School Championship after this start date must start their 13/14/15U try-out period on the Monday after that event. The Edmonton Junior High School City Championships finishes on Saturday December 3. As a result, Edmonton 13U-15U team's try-out period begins on Monday, December 5 and finishes on Sunday, December 18 (signing date is Sunday, December 18).
Once an athlete has made a formal commitment, which is defined as signing the AVA Membership Waiver form for the club, no further communication or contact from other clubs can be made with that athlete. The athlete is committed to that club for a minimum of one season (“Signing Date” – May 31). In order to change clubs during the season, a player must request a release from their club administration prior to competing for another team/club. The release request must be emailed immediately to the AVA Registrar at info@albertavolleyball.com, so the athlete’s transfer can be completed with Alberta Volleyball.
Athletes have the right to register with any club and are free to try-out for any team until they have made a commitment (defined as signing the AVA Membership Waiver form for the club). The AVA Membership Waiver form is the only commitment agreement recognized by Alberta Volleyball.

LTAD Recommendations
While there are athletes in the 15U-16U age group that have advanced skills, this age-class is primarily developmental and falls into the “Training to Train” Stage of Volleyball Canada’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD).
Recognizing that it is important for athletes to play to win and perform their best; coaches and clubs emphasis should be on training & developing volleyball skills and tactics, and successfully performing those skills and tactics in competition, rather than focusing too much on winning. Athletes develop at different rates and they need the opportunity to play and experience different positions in the “Training to Train” stage.

15U/16U
Teams are strongly encouraged to use a 4-2 or 6-2 offensive system in these age-classes. 5-1 systems do not train enough setters, and we need to ensure clubs and coaches address this gap in our system.

16U LTAD

All athletes listed on the score-sheet are required to START in at least one of the first two sets of each match for PREMIER 1. Teams are strongly encouraged to continue to use this principle for the remainder of the season as it is important for all athletes in the age-class to get an opportunity to apply the skills and tactics they’ve learned during training in competition
2012 Age Class Rules

2012 Volleyball Canada Rule Changes
Net Height
• 14 & under Girls has been changed from 2.10 to 2.15 m
• 16 & under Girls has been changed from 2.15 m to 2.20 m
Quick Sub
• Volleyball Canada has adopted the rule for quick substitutions. Please refer to the Quick Substitution Protocol for Referees document.
17U/18U Age-Class Changes
The 17/18U Girls will be split into 2 separate age categories if there is a minimum of 24 teams per category registered for the 1st Premier Tournament. They will then remain divided for the entire 2012 Club season. If there are insufficient teams by the deadline of the 1st Premier Tournament, less than 24 in either age category, they will continue to be combined for the duration of the 2012 Club season. For more information please review the Competition Regulations in the 2012 Season Planner.

16U
All athletes listed on the score-sheet are required to START in at least one of the first two sets of each match for PREMIER 1. Teams are strongly encouraged to continue to use this principle for the remainder of the season as it is important for all athletes in the age-class to get an opportunity to apply the skills and tactics they’ve learned during training in competition

13U Age Class
The 13U Boys require a minimum of 5 teams registered in each Premier Tournament to have a separate age category. If there are insufficient teams by the deadline of each Premier Tournament, the teams will be seeded appropriately in the 14U Boys draw. For more information please review the Competition Regulations in the 2012 Season Planner.

Membership & Tournament Fees
13U/14U, Coaches & Team Staff are now charged $50
15U, 16U, 17U, 18U Athletes are now charged $65
Tournament fees are now $400

Host Hotel Program
For the 2012 club season, Alberta Volleyball has arranged Host Hotels with room blocks and competitive rates in the Province. Please contact the properties directly to set up your reservations. Click here to view a list of the Host Hotels.

Facilities
Personal lunches & snacks that are contained within sports bags will be the ONLY food allowed in any of the venues!
· NO coolers or appliances
· NO large containers (including Tupperware, laundry baskets, large bags, or boxes)
· NO food preparation within venues
**Alberta Volleyball may lose access to our facilities if the above rules are not followed**