Difficulty: N/A
Time Required: This could take a good deal of your freetime, but it is worth it!
Here's How:
1. Get Some Uniforms
At a minimum, all you need is coordinated t-shirts and shorts. You can receive uniforms through donations, a box of T's from one company and a box of shorts from another. When bikers became fashionable, the players buy a $7 pair of bikers from the local department store. I had a company to put #'s on the T's and *poof* we have uniforms. Check out www.companycasuals.com/firstclassapparel for your t-shirt needs. Our http://volleyballproshop.com for all your uniform and spandex needs. We spend approximately $38 on jerseys and $21 on spandex this is either built into the club cost or they can pay it separately. I have the girls turn in jerseys at the end of season and they are used each year.
2. Raise USAV Membership
The region cost vary ours is $35 per player and $35 per coach. Charged just enough to enter the program to cover the cost of the USAV membership and gym rental. That's it. However, if they can afford it, there are some pretty cheap and great volleyball jerseys. A good idea is increase the membership to include the jersey and let the gals buy their own shorts.
3. Tournament Costs
Tournament cost vary: Each one-day tournament that a player wanted to attend would cost $50 to $75. A two-day tournament cost $100-$1250. The cost would include hotel, transportation and tournament cost. We travel by vans that is why we have transportation cost. The cost also includes the coaches rooms and gas. Our average cost for tournament is $75.
4. Local Donations & Fundraising
There was also one local company that gave from $200 to $300 per year. You may be able to get more than that! There's a great fundraiser we did on our fundraising page. Or check out these great fundraising resources. If you can't become 501c3 then sometimes you can piggy back on another non-profit program. You would want to talk to your local court about this.
5. Tryouts
Tryouts were the easy part. We just let all the area school know and we went for it. We now have tryouts posted in the newspaper and I do a lot of word of mouth invitations to our club.
6. List Tournaments You Can Make
I listed the tournaments I was willing to attend. Included was the location, cost per player and it was an overnight. I listed both local and road-trip tournaments. You can check out our tournaments on our Schedules page
7. Committing Players and Parents
They took the list home and with their parents signed beside each tournament that they would COMMIT to. Their signature meant they were PROMISING to go.If we had enough players, and the right mix, I would schedule the trip. If we had too many hitters and no setters, I'd try to fill the holes in the team before cancelling. If we had TOO MANY of one position, I'd allow the girls to "uncommit."
8. Make Them Accountable
In our club if they agree to attend a tournament that is very important that they attend. Everything in the cost of the tournament is based on the number of girls attending. If someone chooses to not attend after committing to the tournament they are held under suspension for the next tournament. Making them accountable will help them in life. We also have a policy form they fill out that holds them accountable for understanding the club rules and regulations (Policy Form)
9. Practice
Practice is mandatory until they had no more pending tournaments. An unexcused absense ment they SAT OUT one Match at the next tournament they attended.
Excused Absenses:
1. Illness, personal or family
2. Emergency
3. INSEASON SCHOOL sports
4. Church
Unexcused:
5. Other sports,
6. Dates
7. Concerts
8. Jobs
9. Parties
10. etc.
Manage unexcused absences by providing voluntary practices or something that fits your schedule!
Tips:
1. Get the kids early start them young 5-8th grade
2. Teach them how to play correctly
3. Give them opportunitites to play at tournaments
The North Country Region (our region) has a great booklet that will also give you step by step instructions on how to start a club. It is what I used to start my club.
Here is the link to that file. How to start a club program
Please feel free to contact me for further assistance in starting a club program
| 
