QuestionWhere do I begin looking for a league/clinic for my 11 year old to participate in volleyball? Her MS does not have a team, and I don't know of a rec league in our community of Catonsville, MD, near Baltimore. Any suggestions?
AnswerGood morning Deb, and welcome to www.allexperts.com!
It's great to hear from you!
Here are some thoughts:
a) USAVolleyball is an association that is active in nearly every area of the USA. Your are living in the Chesapeake Region, and the info for that region is here: Lisa DiGiacinto, Commissioner
114 Broadview Blvd N, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, Phone: (410) 768-4746, Email:
[email protected], Website: http://www.chrva.org. This is not private info, as all info for all USAV regions can be seen here: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Membership/Regions.
b) From the info above, you should be able to find a number of clubs in your area. I imagine 99% of the clubs have completed tryouts for the 2014 season (seeing that tournaments begin this months), but they may have some developmentals leagues, rookie clinics, etc. for 11 years olds. Some clubs even have teams for your daughter's age, but again, tryouts are done.
That is your best bet. Many club will offer winter clinics, rookie clinics, etc. Please contact them. If they don't answer you promptly, contact them in a different way, then do it again. :) Most clubs try to keep their customers happy and will answer promptly; but, others don't.
c) Some coaches give private lessons. Your daughter doesn't need a 50 year old like me who's been all over the country coaching/directing; but, she only needs anyone who knows the basics of the game. But, do not send your daughter to ANYONE who has limited playing/coaching experience. You need to find/hire a person who's played/coached in many different arenas. For example, do not hire an 18 year old who says, "I've played for 6 years," unless they can tell you, "I've played x years club vball for many different coaches." And don't hire a coach who says, "I've coached for 10 years," unless they can tell also tell you, "And I've coached z years of club vball, and have taken my teams to Phil, Atlanta, Richmond, Charlotte, etc." I'm just saying, vball is a unique sport in that when people play/coach the game in a segregated situation, then they learn certain ways to perform the skills....and most often, many of those ways are inferior.
d) Contact any local recreation center, YMCA, community center, etc. See what they offer.
e) In a few months, you will be to see a multitude of summer camps in the Balt/DC area. Many of these are mere "volleyball daycare," so please check them out, ask questions...and do not make a decision based on a slick website or snappy brochure.
And before you send you daughter to ANY clinic, developmental league, or private lesson: ask other parents' advice. Did they feel their money was wasted? were their daughter's safe? did they get their money's worth? Some may say, "Just suck it up and pay," but I disagree. There are legitimate, kind, hard-working people who will give you fair value for your money. Search them out. I believe my staff and I are such people, as we'll offer summer camps at $6 an hour per camper. That's $154 for a 22 hour camp....run by professional, Christian, experienced and kind people (or I don't hire them). You can find out all about my camps & private lessons at www.coachhouser.com.
f) Finally, if you will email me at
[email protected], I have the email addresses of 4 coaches who live less than 45 minutes from Catonsville. If you're interested in contacting some these coaches directly, I can help you with that.
If there's ever anything else I can do for you, please contact me anytime.
I hope you have a great Sunday, and a great holiday season!
