Joining a Junior Club
The North Texas Region has over 100 clubs throughout the Region
We have clubs as far west as Abilene and as far east as the Texas/Louisiana border. There is a club that can fit your family and athletes needs. Finding the right club for your family can be a confusing experience especially when one is new to club participation.
The NTR Region Staff will not recommend a club, but they will gladly help you navigate the web pages to give you the necessary information needed to make an educated decision. The staff does recommend that you contact the clubs of interest and ask questions that your family need the answers to before signing with a specific club for the season.
What age division am I in? What if my age definition doesn’t match my grade at school?
- USA Volleyball has strict guidelines concerning ages. You can view the USA Volleyball Age Definition Chart for the upcoming season.
- The region will consider an Age Waiver Request to play down an age level depending on the area of residence and not other opportunity to participate. This request must come from a club director and not the family.
What clubs are out there?
- Visit our Junior Clubs page which is broken down alphabetically and by practice area. Most clubs have websites which are linked.
Things to think about for those clubs:
- Do you want a club that practices in your city? Are you willing to travel 30 minutes, 1 hour or even 2 hours to practice with a certain club?
- Does that club offer your age division?
Philosophy
- Know what philosophy is of coaching style you are looking for ….what do you want from a club during this season? Is the ultimate goal qualify for Junior Nationals? Persistent for a club to help you get a scholarship? Are you wanting to get better for high school? Are you wanting to play with your friends on a team? Know what you are shopping for.
- Ask the Club what THEIR philosophy is.
Cost/Things to Consider
- How much do tryouts cost? Do I have to pay for each tryout? Or does the one fee pay for all tryout sessions?
- How much is due up front once I commit to the club?
- Can I make monthly payments?
- Are travel expenses included? Is that Hotel? Air? Transportation? (Don’t forget that parent travel expenses are always extra!)
- Are Nationals or Post-season included? If not, when is that due? Is that refundable if you don’t make it to post-season?
- What if my junior player gets hurt during the season?
- Is fundraising available to offset the cost?
- What player equipment is covered in the cost? Shoes? Kneepads? Socks? How many jerseys? How many shorts?
Members on the Team
- How many kids are on a team?
- Is playing time guaranteed?
Level of Commitment
- Many boys/girls are active in other sports or activities. Try to have a feel for what your schedule might be like in your other activities so you will know if there are any or many conflicts. Always check with the club to see what is tolerated.
- Very Cooperative – they’ll work around anything and everything
- Cooperative within Reason – There are a few instances that the club may excuse you for being late or absent
- Full Commitment – Some clubs expect some or all of their teams to put club volleyball first. They expect you at every practice and every tournament
Practices
- How many practices per week? How many practices if there is a tournament that weekend?
- How long is each practice?
- Where are the practices located?
Tournaments
- How many tournaments are offered for the teams in that age group? Is that too many or not enough for you?
- Where are the tournaments located? Are they all travel? All local? Combo?
Travel
- How many tournaments are “travel” tournaments?
- How are travel arrangements handled for your daughter?
- Are any arrangements made for the parents? (Remember this is usually in addition to season dues.)
Coaches
- How many coaches are per team?
- What are their qualifications?
Communications
- How does the club communicate to Parents/Members? Via Web? Meetings? Newsletters? Email?
- Does the club work under the SafeSport Social Media procedures?
Things to do to be informed:
- Attend the Club Information/Parent Meeting! (if club conducts) – These meetings allow the club to present to you what they are all about. It can also give you an opportunity to meet the club director and possibly your daughter’s potential coach. Here is where you want to ask lots of questions. Some clubs hold meetings before any of their tryouts, some will hold meetings on the same day as their tryouts and other will have a combination. If you still have questions, please email or call the directors. They will be happy to answer your questions.
- If the clubs you are researching hold pre-tryout clinics, these are great tools to get a feel for a club. They can give the family an opportunity to meet coaches, see the facility and often, meet club administrators.
- Attend one or more tryouts – We often encourage you to tryout for more than one club. This gives you a feel for the club and it gives you more exposure for making a team.
