2012 Club Information

The mission of Skyline Juniors is to be one of the highest quality clubs in the nation that will go the extra mileto develop and showcase our athletes. We will constantly strive to enable both our players and our coaches to reach their full potential.

Introduction

Skyline Juniors Volleyball Association (SJVA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and training of junior athletes. We seek to compete on a national level, and to do so, we will go the extra mile to develop and showcase our athletes. We will constantly strive to enable both our players and our coaches to reach their full potential. We will select our coaches based on their coaching experience, temperament, dedication, and desire to train athletes to be the best they can be.

Club History

2011 Skyline Year in Review:

• Qualified 9 teams for the USA Volleyball Championships.

• Qualified the most teams in the “Open” division of USA Championships with 7 teams (2 nd place with 5 tms)

• The only club in the NATION to qualify teams in the highest division of USA Championships in every age group the past three years – 2009, 2010 and 2011.

• 8 teams finished top 25 in the Nation

• Skyline was voted “Club of the Year” by the volleyball clubs in North Texas.

• Skyline ranked #1 club in Texas by LonestarVolleyball.com.

• 125 Skyline athletes have gone on to play in college.

• 11 of our High School Juniors have committed to play in college

• Skyline athlete played on USA Youth National Teams (4 th Skyline athlete to play on a USA National team)

 2010 Skyline Year in Review:

• Qualified 10 teams for the USA Volleyball Championships.

• Skyline is the ONLY club in Texas to qualify team for USA Volleyball Championships in every age division.

• One of only two clubs in the NATION to qualify teams in the highest division of USA Championships in every age group in 2009 and 2010.

• 6 teams finished ranked top 21 in the nation…16s finished 2 nd in the Nation!

• Skyline ranked #2 club in Texas by LonestarVolleyball.com.

Club Coaching Philosophy

Skyline Juniors enters its thirteenth (13 th ) year stronger and more determined to lead the USA in volleyball. As we head into the 2011-2012 season, 8 of our staff members have collegiate coaching experience and over half of our coaches have collegiate playing experience. Each RoShamBo and Molten team will have a head coach and an assistant coach and Elite teams will have practice assistants, plus each will share experienced roamer coaches.  

Coaches are selected based on their playing experience, knowledge of the game, coaching capability, enthusiasm, and temperament, and have passed an extensive background screening. One main quality that we look for in our coaches is a belief in coaching by encouragement rather than intimidation. We believe the success of our club is only as good as the development of our coaches. All of our coaches are IMPACT certified, and many have CAP certifications. All coaches regularly participate in on-the-court training during clinics, camps, and other coaches’ training events.

 Expectations of Coaches

Each coach’s main objective is to provide our athletes with as much quality individual and team training as possible in a positive and encouraging learning environment. They are required to plan and organize their team's individual practice sessions, administer instruction at tournaments, and develop the composition and organization of the team. Our coaches strive to be to be excellent role models for the players and all others with whom they may come into contact. The staff of Skyline Juniors will provide all the administration for tournaments, travel, and finances within the club so our coaches can concentrate on coaching and their own professional growth.

Club Amenities

Junior’s volleyball is a major investment in your child's life. Perhaps the most satisfying is to see your child play for the college or university of their choice. No junior’s club program is complete without informing both players and parents about the important topic of scholarships and college recruiting.

College Recruiting Experience
Our coaching staff has extensive experience with college recruiting at every level of college athletics, from NCAA Division I, II, and III and NAIA to Junior College, and our coaches that have worked at the college level have been active recruiters themselves. As a result, we not only know effective ways to market Skyline athletes and the pitfalls players and parents should avoid, but we’ve also developed an extensive network of relationships with top college coaches in the country.

Recruiting Workshops
Skyline offers Recruiting Workshops for both players and parents that cover the “do’s” and “don’ts” of timely and effective communication with colleges and universities. Topics covered include different ways parents may videotape matches and how to construct recruiting video. We set aside time to video athletes’ skills and design proper introductions for these tapes, and provide examples of various ways athletes can set up their profiles to make them appealing to college coaches. We recommend the recruiting workshop for all Skyline athletes regardless of the sport they may pursue in college. In addition to the workshops, our recruiting coordinator holds individual and group meetings throughout the season for further help and instruction.

Online Recruiting Database
Skyline has one-of-a-kind recruiting database. The database is organized to collect important information about each athlete and may be used as each athlete’s ’online Contact Management Software for college coaches. Included behind the athletes’ personal login are recruiting timelines, college comparison spreadsheets, articles on “Visits to Colleges,” templates for letters to college coaches, sample emails to colleges, and a comprehensive college search engine. Our program also allows our coaches and staff to download each athlete’s information court-side from their PDA. These features and the database constitute an exceptionally powerful recruiting program that is unique to Skyline. No other club can boast comparable programs.

Online Videos & Media Pages
On every athlete’s profile page, we have room up to three videos you may link from your profile page. In addition, you can include PDF or other file formats to provide college coaches additional information like newspaper articles. Our emails that we send out to college coaches will include these links in the email so they can easily click on the video of their choice.

 Online Profile Pages
Each year, Skyline develops on-line media guides for the 16's, 17's, and 18's age groups containing information about each player such as awards, accomplishments, playing experience, vertical jump, a personal section, and the athlete's plans for her athletic career. The profile page from the Media guide will be posted on our website enabling each player to send it to the college coaches of their choice via email or by letter.

Position Practices
We hold dedicated position practices for all Skyline athletes on teams 12s – 18s. Our top Skyline staff and coaches will run this training along with their team coaches.

Year-Round Training
When the club season is over, Skyline is in the gym 4-5 days a week offering the top training. So much improvement takes place in the five months between club seasons. It is vital to the athlete’s development to be in an organization that offers year-round training.

Team Bonding and Training
In order to facilitate team cohesion and purpose, Skyline coaches organize specialized team bonding activities in late December. This training will consist of a club late night event and 2-day training sessions December 30 and 31. The teams will be given difficult tasks and will be required to find solutions as a team. They will also set individual and team goals for the season.

Dedicated Setter Training
Additional time and space is set aside for setters to get extra reps and instructions. We will lead video review and class room instruction for our setters to better their decision making and mental aspects of setting the game.

On-Site Strength, Conditioning and Vertical Training
Ian Johnson and High Five Fitness has their training facility attached to the Skyline Sports Shack gym.

Tryout Information

Each athlete must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian to complete the necessary paperwork and medical release forms. All tryout paper work and forms will be available on the web page (www.skylinejuniors.com) to fill out before tryouts if desired. There is a one-time $75.00 non-refundable tryout fee due at check-in on the day of the tryout. Each athlete must also register on the Region website (www.ntrvolleyball.org) and pay the USAV registration fee prior to trying out. Email confirmations from the Region must be presented at tryouts.

If an athlete’s high school team is still in its regular season or playoffs, then as a courtesy to high school coaches, the North Texas Region has asked club programs to not require tryout attendance. Skyline will allow an athlete to tryout, however, provided they have a written note from their high school coach. If the athlete doesn’t have a note, we nevertheless encourage him or her to attend tryouts, fill out the paper work, and assist the coaches in running tryouts.

We also ask that the athlete notify us in advance so we can try to come watch one of his or her matches or practices.  If the athlete has a video, please bring it and we will get it to the respective coaches the night of the tryout. A video given prior to tryouts would be even more beneficial.

* Please come 30 minutes early for registration and paper work. 

All tryout paperwork and procedures are posted on our website for your convenience to start the paperwork early.
Each athlete needs to be accompanied by a parent/guardian to fill out the necessary paper work.

Tryout Procedures

The level of teams and the number of teams in each age group will be determined at tryouts. At the end of each tryout, we will invite a number of athletes to join a specific team. An athletes’ spot on a team is confirmed once she or he has signed the acceptance agreement and paid the team’s non-refundable installment (please see payment plan for amount due). All offers will be made in accordance with the USAV-North Texas Region Offer and Acceptance Policy. This installment acts as the athlete’s commitment to join and is the first payment to Skyline Juniors. Additional payments will be due according to the enclosed schedule.

If at all possible, we recommend athletes attempt to attend all tryouts in their age group. While we understand the need to try out for other clubs to find the one that best suits each person, attending all the tryouts will give us the best opportunity to see each athlete. During our tryout process, the athletes will undergo several evaluations where each athlete is individually rated on his or her skill level in all areas, then evaluated by position. The players are then placed into teams so their overall court skills, attitude, and interaction with others players can be evaluated. Creating game-like situations is a priority throughout the tryouts.

At the conclusion of tryouts, athletes are placed into three categories; those to whom offers will be made, those we are still seriously considering, and those to whom we cannot presently offer a position. Also, we understand parents’ needs and desires are to know how their son or daughter compares to the other athletes so you can plan accordingly. Therefore, throughout the tryout process if any player is pressured to make a commitment to another club prior to our last tryout, please don’t hesitate to contact us to get an evaluation.

As the tryout process proceeds for each age group, we are making decisions and putting together our teams. Within two days after the last tryout for each age group, we post how many spots are available for each team. The page is found by clicking on the “Teams/Rosters” link at the top of our website.

The North Texas Region stipulates an “Offer and Acceptance” policy. Specific dates have been set for the different age groups as to when tryouts may be held, and a deadline date for acceptance has also been implemented once the offer is made. This will allow the athlete time to refuse or accept an offer.

The tryout process can be one of the most difficult things an athlete and parents will do all year long. It is also difficult on the coaches as well. There are many decisions and factors involved when choosing a team. We have tried to make this as comfortable as possible for all parties involved.

USAVolleyball Age Definitions

18 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1st, 1993 or are high school students in the twelfth (12th) grade or below during the current academic year and are 19 years of age or younger (born on or after September 1, 1992).
17 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 1994
16 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 1995
15 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 1996
14 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 1997
13 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 1998
12 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 1999
11 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 2000
10 and Under: Players who were born on or after September 1, 2001

Practice Information

 2011-2012 Practice Times and Locations
(Below is a tentative plan for when teams will practice. We are very flexible and can move practices around if needed) Position practices will be held for all teams twice a month from January until Qualifier’s begin.

18 RoShamBo Teams:
Teams practice Sundays and Thursdays OR Mondays and Thursdays

15-17 RoShamBo Teams:
Teams practice Thursdays and Sundays

13-14 RoShamBo Teams:
Teams practice Wednesdays and Sundays

12 RoShamBo Teams:
Teams practice Wednesdays and Sundays OR Thursdays and Sundays

11 RoShamBo
Team practices Mondays and Thursdays OR Sundays and Thursdays
No position practices for 11s

15-16 Plano Molten Teams
Team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays OR Mondays and Wednesdays

15-16 Frisco Molten Teams
Team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays

13-14 Molten Teams (Frisco & Plano)
Team practices either Sundays and Wednesdays OR Mondays & Wednesdays

12 Frisco Molten Teams
Team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays

12 & 15 Elite (Plano and Frisco)
Team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays

13-14 Elite (Plano and Frisco)
Team practices Mondays and Wednesdays

There may be a few conflicts throughout the season that may require a different practice location or days to be utilized.

Practice Information

RoShamBo and Molten Practices

Our teams will share the facilities and practice times to allow for an average of 2 practices a week*. If a team participates in a tournament on a weekend, then there will be no practice on Sundays. Attendance at practice is mandatory. It is impossible to develop quality teams with inconsistent practice attendance. If an unusual circumstance exists, it is the athlete’s responsibility to inform his or her head coach immediately of the situation. If an athlete has an unexcused absence then s/he will be required to sit out the first game of the following tournament. Because athletes must learn to organize their time and plan ahead accordingly, homework is not an excuse to miss practice. Further guidelines for absences are given at the beginning of the season by the coach.

* 11’s may only practice once the week following a tournament.

Elite Team Practices

Elite teams will practice two (2) times each a week. Attendance at practice is highly encouraged. It is impossible to develop quality teams with inconsistent attendance at practices. If an unusual circumstance exists, it is the athlete’s responsibility to inform their head coach immediately of the situation. If an athlete has an excess of unexcused absences, then they will be required to sit out the first game of a tournament. We are willing to work with other commitments but we are also dedicated to the teams’ success and that requires every athlete to participate regularly. Further guidelines are given at the beginning of the season.

Tournament Information

Skyline Juniors tournament participation is mandatory. Tournaments give athletes the chance to compete at higher levels, develop their court skills, and strengthen their knowledge of the game. They also give the athlete a chance to be seen by college scouts. Finally, the success of our team training depends upon all members of the team being present.

Tournament agendas, lodging arrangements and other important travel information will be provided to each player as soon as the club directors have received the information from the tournament directors. We prefer to do most of our communication through e-mail and our website. We will post hotel and tournament information for each team on the website as soon as it is available. All tournament schedules will be finalized in early December.

Skyline Juniors Playing Time

The team’s head coach is responsible for the composition of the team and determining playing time. Each athlete will receive equal training time and repetitions in practice sessions, but we cannot and will not guarantee playing time to anyone. It is in the best interest of the team that we compete for championships and this involves some players not playing in some matches. The head coaches will make their decisions based on a player's attendance at practices, the importance of an event, the player’s attitude, work ethic, and proficiency at required skills, and most importantly the team's needs. As parents, please understand that our coaches do their best do get everyone playing time, but their primary focus at tournaments is the teams’ success. If a parent wishes to discuss playing time with a coach we require this NOT BE DONE AT THE TOURNAMENT. It is very disruptive to the team if a parent confronts a coach in this setting. Consequently, if a coach is confronted by a parent during a tournament, that parent’s child must sit out the following match. In short, please save these discussions until after the tournament.

The following procedures are in place to resolve playing time issues or concerns:

• At any time after practices or matches a player may meet with the coach for a discussion.

• If questions or concerns remain, then the parents and player may contact the coach to arrange a discussion at least a day after the conclusion of a tournament.

• If the issue is still not resolved, the club director, coach, player, and parents may meet.

Policy: If a parent approaches the coach at a tournament about “playing time”, their daughter will be required to sit the next set.

Tournament Transportation

The club does not provide transportation to non-air travel tournaments. It is the parents’ (and not the coaches’) responsibility to find transportation for their athletes to and from these road travel events. For air travel tournaments, the club provides transportation to and from the hotel, and to the sanctioned events provided the athlete travels on the group’s flight. The athletes are prohibited from riding with anyone other than a coach, club director, or appointed chaperone. (They are permitted to ride with their parent/guardian , or someone their parent designates in writing.) If parents choose to arrange their own travel arrangements for an athlete, then the parents are responsible for getting their daughter to the hotel.

Hotel Accommodations

We distribute hotel information for parents in advance on the web page or by email so parents may make reservations at the same hotel where the teams are staying. Each RoShamBo team has a certain number of rooms reserved for the players (except for 11’s - 13’s). In an effort to keep costs lower, all Molten Teams, all Elite Teams, and RoShamBo 11’s through 13’s will stay with their parents. We cannot guarantee space or make reservations for parents, but we will ask hotels to hold rooms for parents (including all Molten Teams, all Elite Teams, and RoShamBo 11’s through 13’s ) until a specified date. If you have not made a reservation by that date we cannot hold the room.

Club Policies

Drug and Alcohol Policy

In order for the North Texas Region to support any disciplinary actions by the club toward a player, one of these two below procedures must take place in case a playeris in the possession of or involved with any type of illegal drugs or alcohol.

• Option One: Go immediately to a clinic and have a drug test administered.

• Option Two: The police will be called to do a report.

If the player(s) is found to be at fault, further action will take place depending on the severity of the issue. The player may be sent home from the event, dismissed for a period of time, or released from the team permanently (at the expense of his or her parent/guardian).

Prom Policy

We understand the importance of an event such as Prom; therefore, in the case of Prom falling on the weekend of a National Qualifying tournament and Regionals (only), we have implemented the following guidelines to allow SENIORS to attend their SENIOR Prom.

• Each SENIOR will be allowed to attend their prom without punishment.

• They will need to be present the day prior and the day after the (main evening) Prom event.

• They will need to be present the day of the event until 12 noon (if the tournament is out of town) and 2:00pm (if the tournament is within the DFW area).

It is not fair to a team that has devoted so many hours in practices only to be disqualified from a tournament or to not be given a chance to qualify for Nationals because a few players are gone. It is also not fair to those who are seeking college scholarship and must be seen by colleges.

Membership Fees and Payment Plans 

* All payments must be postmarked by the 15th of each month.

Parents are expected to keep up with their dues and payment schedules. In order to facilitate payment, , we provide account status online for each player, pre-addressed envelopes including the amount of payment and the date the payment is due. Alternatively, membership fees may be paid online with a credit card.

If a payment is late there will be a $25.00 late fee, and the athlete will not be able to participate in any sanctioned events until a payment is made A $25.00 transaction fee will be assessed for each returned check, and if the problem occurs two times, parents must pay by cash or a cashier’s check.

If an account is not paid in full, the participant’s name may be submitted to the UIL because she will have violated her “amateur status”. The parent/guardian responsible for the player will also be responsible for any additional costs or expenses incurred by the club while pursuing collections.

If there is some reason the payment cannot be made by the date specified, please contact Jon or Jodie Rye (for RoShamBo teams), or Kirk Perry (for Molten and Elite teams) and we will try to work out the situation. Please know, once you commit to a team we incur several expenses whether you continue your season with the club or not. It is your responsibility to make sure these payments are made unless there is a season ending injury.

In an effort to minimize payment problems we attempt to precisely determined fees and dues prior to the season. To this end, , most travel expenses, (hotel, airline deposits, rental vans, and nationals for some teams) for the players are included in their dues amounts. Please notice, however, that we have NOT included airfare for the players into their dues (we have included coaches air travel). Instead, we will provide an Airline Package in November for the Skyline athletes that will give them the option to arrange their own air travel to tournaments.

Additional fees may occur due to unforeseen circumstances such as airline cancellations, inclement weather situations, or if a team misses a flight due for any reason (i.e. such as playing in a match for JO qualifying, or playing in the finals).

*All monies that are paid are non-refundable

Tentative Schedules