A typical club volleyball calendar in the Chesapeake Region Volleyball Association (CHRVA) follows a structured timeline that includes various phases and events throughout the year. Keep in mind that specific dates and schedules may vary from year to year, but here's a general outline of what you can expect in a CHRVA club volleyball calendar:
1. Tryout Prep Clinics (October): Typically in October, many clubs offer Tryout Prep Clinics as a valuable opportunity for players to fine-tune their skills and gain confidence before club volleyball tryouts. These clinics also serve as an excellent chance for players and their families to assess the club environment, coaching staff, level of competition, and the overall quality of the club. It's a two-way evaluation, allowing players to ensure that the club aligns with their goals and expectations while providing clubs with a glimpse of potential talent and commitment.To prepare players for club volleyball tryouts, many clubs offer tryout prep clinics in October. These clinics help participants fine-tune their skills and gain confidence before the actual tryouts.
2. Tryouts (November): The club volleyball season typically kicks off with tryouts, which usually take place in early November. Players interested in joining club teams must attend club volleyball tryouts. Tryouts are a crucial step in the process, as they allow players to showcase their skills and commitment to the sport. After tryouts, clubs evaluate players' performance and select athletes who best fit their teams. Players who receive an offer from a club can choose to accept it, marking the official start of their club volleyball journey.
Please note that participation in club volleyball requires attending tryouts and successfully receiving and accepting an offer from a club. The exact timing of tryouts and the selection process may vary from club to club.
3. Team Formation (November): Following tryouts, clubs form their teams based on player evaluations and skill levels. Players who make the teams begin practicing together and building team chemistry.
4. Winter Practices and Pre Season (November/December): Teams commence indoor practice sessions to work on individual skills, team strategies, and overall readiness for the upcoming season. Some clubs participate in preseason tournaments during preseason, and typically play several scrimmages to provide players with match experience and assess team performance.
6. Regular Season (January-May): The regular season typically spans from late January to May. Clubs participate in CHRVA-sanctioned tournaments and leagues, which include both single-day events and multi-day tournaments.
7. Qualification for Nationals (January-May): High-level teams aim to qualify for the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships, which usually take place in late June or early July. Teams must perform well either in CHRVA's regional qualifying events or National Qualifiers to earn a spot at Nationals.
8. Regional Championships (typically March): CHRVA hosts its Regional Championships, where club teams from the region compete to earn regional titles and secure berths to the national championships. These events are a culmination of the regular season and are highly competitive. It is not mandatory for clubs to participate in the regional championships, and oftentimes clubs chose to attend other tournaments.
9. National Championships (mid-June and earlyJuly): Qualified teams representing CHRVA compete at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships, which usually occur in late June or early July. Nationals often consist of various age divisions and take place at different locations each year.
10. Post-Season and Additional Play (Summer/Fall): After Nationals, club season is officially over, but some clubs continue to offer training camps to further develop players' skills and maintain their competitive edge, especially to prepare athletes for school season, which typically goes from August to late October.
11. Break and Off-Season (Late Summer/Fall): Following the intense club season, there is typically a break during late summer and early fall. It's an opportunity for players to rest, recover, and prepare for the next club volleyball cycle, which begins with tryout prep clinics and tryouts.
Please note that the exact timing of events may vary from year to year and can be influenced by regional policies, venue availability, and other factors. Clubs and teams may also choose to participate in additional non-CHRVA events or leagues throughout the year to further enhance their players' development and exposure.