Spiketown Volleyball Club Handbook

Club Mission Statement:

Spiketown Volleyball Club was created in 2011. Spiketown Volleyball Club was created with the mission to provide Southern Ohio athletes with more opportunities and experience the sport of volleyball.

Spiketown Executive Board Members:

Director: Kristin Posey

Assistant Director: Gavin Patterson

Treasurer: Lori Dresbach

Secretary: Emily Dresbach

Coach’s Responsibilities:

To teach proper technique and fundamentals to all players.
To teach and apply proper strategies.
To communicate clearly, to each player, the role on the team.
To balance hard work, fun, and discipline.
To create a positive, growth based, and trusting environment for athletes.
To act as a positive role model for players both on and off the court.
To prepare players for any and all situations that might occur when playing in a match.

Player’s Rules & Regulations:

As a member of the club, it is critical to understand that you represent yourself and your club, coaches, family, and the Spiketown Volleyball Club community at all times. Whether you are on or off the court, we expect all players to maintain a positive image that reflects highly on all of the activities and behaviors described below.

Player Expectations:

To attend all practices and tournaments. If for some reason a player is going to miss a practice or match, it is the player’s responsibility to contact the coach directly as far in advance as possible.
Be a team player; the team comes first, always and no matter what.
Have a positive attitude at all times; encourage and support your teammates to the best of your ability whether you are on the court or on the sidelines. Being a great teammate is always expected at Spiketown.
Be a leader on and off the court.
Stay focused, mindful, and display a strong work ethic at every practice and tournament.
Always show respect to all teammates, parents, coaches and officials.
Do not provide, use, or condone the use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, or recreational drugs. The use of any illegal substance will not be tolerated and could result in dismissal from the club.

Practice Rules:

Practices will be held at various sites throughout the local area. Due to Spiketown not having their own facility, practice locations may change. Spiketown works diligently to keep practice drive time under 60 minutes.

Players should be at practice at least 15 minutes early so they have time to put on shoes/kneepads and be ready to begin practice right at the start time.
Players need to bring their own water bottle to every practice so that they stay well hydrated and water breaks can be taken quickly.
Come to practice mentally prepared; have personal goals set for yourself before each practice.
If a player is going to miss a practice, they must inform their coach directly and in advance.
Practice the way you want to play at tournaments.
Take care of our facilities - Remove all water bottles, towels, etc. from the floor. Replace equipment quickly and neatly, exactly as or better than you found it. There will be zero tolerances toward any destruction within or outside of the premises.
Practices will usually be held 2-3 times a week but can be changed at the discretion of the coach.
All athletes are required to set up nets, poles, and accessories prior to practice. Each athlete is required to assist in putting away all equipment. Players are not allowed to leave the premises until their coach releases them.

Playing Time:

All players will have equal opportunities to train and play during practice.
Players are NOT guaranteed equal playing time during tournaments and coaches will make playing time decisions based on what they think will bring success to the team as a whole.
Factors that can affect playing time are: attendance at practice, attitude and work ethic, leadership skills, team chemistry and performance during practices and matches.
Players on the bench must encourage and show their support for players on the court. No bad attitudes will be tolerated.

Parent Code of Conduct:

It is very important to cheer for our team, and not against another team. (Be positive and respectful at all times)
Do not argue with or yell at officials or the work crew. Keep in mind; officials/work crews are trying to do their best and are human and make mistakes from time to time.
Good sportsmanship is a vital component of Spiketown, so please be a good role model for your athlet and demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times just as we expect our athletes to.
Aggressive or hostile confrontations between a parent and any coach, administrator, official, player, or other parents will not be tolerated and may result in parents losing the privilege to attend team tournaments or practices.
Parents are never to discuss playing time or any concerns regarding strategic decisions with the coaches at a tournament or practice. If you have concerns, please set up a separate time to speak or meet with the coaches and do so at least 24 hours after a tournament.
A parent’s role is to support their athlete and support the team they made a commitment to whether you agree with a coach’s decisions and strategies or not.
Please consider how much time, energy, effort, and dedication your team’s coaches are putting into coaching the team for relatively little compensation. They do it because they are passionate about the sport of volleyball and want to pass that along and help your daughter/son and her/his teammates to be the best players, team, and people that they can be. Please be appreciative of their efforts and all that they do and know that they deserve your respect and support and that all of our coaches are always well intentioned and have the best interests of their teams in mind.
IMPORTANT - REGARDING EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES: Parents are NEVER to express any concerns or ask questions relating to playing time, positions, lineups, or any kind of coaching decisions over email or text. Parents are welcome to discuss these matters in an appropriate setting but must do so by arranging a time to meet with the coaches and their athlete in person.

Refund Policy:

Spiketown Volleyball Club offers all-inclusive fees that provide the necessary funds for each team to compete for the entire season. Fees are determined by several factors, including, among other things, the level of the team, the uniform and apparel package, and number/type of tournaments. The fees also include funds to pay the fixed costs to run the Club, including, facility costs and maintenance, facility and club insurance, utilities, equipment, payments for team coaching, coaches training and certifications, staff salaries, administrative expenses, technology and webservices fees, taxes, debt service, and other business expenses.

When you accept an offer to participate, you accept the financial obligations for the entire club fee for that season. No refunds, partial or full, will be made to players who choose not to participate at any point after acceptance of the club contract. Prorated refunds may be considered at the discretion of the Club due to the cancellation of a season as a result of a government mandate and/or actions of applicable volleyball sanctioning associations, such as the Ohio Valley Region and USA Volleyball. Refund amounts due to the cancellation of a season will be estimated based upon an approximation of unused non-fixed costs associated with, and refunds received by the club as a result of, the cancellation of the season that are directly associated with the player and their team. Prorated refunds may consider the number of team practices and tournaments cancelled.

At the discretion of the Club, refunds may be provided through credits for future club fees.

Spiketown Volleyball Club reserves the right to waive this Refund Policy at its sole discretion at any time. Such waiver shall generally be in response to qualifying or highly unusual circumstances, and in no event shall the Club be obligated to waive this Refund Policy.

Release of Contract:

It’s important to understand the implications of signing a contract with a club in the OVR. Here are some key points to consider (www.ovr.org):

Binding Agreement: Signing a contract with a club creates a binding agreement between the family and the club. This agreement is not with the OVR but specifically with the club itself.
Non-Transferable: The contract is typically not specific to a particular team or coach within the club but rather for participation within that club as a whole.
Commitment: Once signed, the family is committed to the club for the duration of the season, and players cannot try out for or play for another club during that time.
Release from Contract: If a family wishes to leave the club before the end of the season, they must obtain a release from the club. The parent understands that the player is bound to the club from the date of signing until the end of the season. If an athlete chooses to leave the team at any point of the season for any reason it is at the club’s discretion to release them from their contract pursuant to OVR rules. Releasing a player from the contract does not terminate the financial agreement or reduce any outstanding club dues owed.
Seasonal Limitations: Even if a player is released from a club, if they have already participated in an OVR/USAV event with the original club, they cannot play for a new club during the current season.
Signing Deadlines: Families should familiarize themselves with the signing and tryout policy outlined by the OVR for the current season to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities regarding contract signing.
No Immediate Obligation: Clubs cannot force families to sign a contract immediately but be sure you understand OVR deadlines for accepting a contract, as contract offers can be pulled after the signing deadline. It’s essential for families to take the time to review the terms of the contract and ensure they are comfortable with the decision before signing.

Tournaments:

Most tournaments will be held within a 2-3 hour drive but may vary depending on your location. Some teams may be scheduled to have a two-day tournament. At a two-day tournament, it is your choice to stay overnight nearby. Most directions to playing sites are available on the Ohio Valley Region website, www.ovr.org.

Rules for Tournaments:

Arrive on time. Usually 30 minutes prior to the first match. Your coach will tell you when you need to be there. Coaches will usually receive tournament information the week prior to the playing date.
Parents are responsible for transportation to and from each tournament.
Obey all food and beverage policies of the tournament or gym. Players are encouraged to bring water, drinks, snacks, and food to tournaments. Most sites have concessions available, but some do not. COOLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED in tournament facilities.
Bring shoes, warm-up, uniform top, spandex, and all proper attire that’s needed.
Please notify your coach prior to the tournament if you are unable to attend.
All players are responsible for cleaning up their area before leaving! Players will not leave until their coach excuses them.
Playing time is at the coaches’ discretion and coaches have been instructed to not discuss playing time with their athletes. However, if you have questions about areas of improvement, please do not hesitate to communicate with your coach.

Officiating:

Officiating is the responsibility of the entire team.
No player is ever allowed to leave the tournament while his/her team is officiating, unless instructed by the coach.
Each coach will determine a procedure that his/her team will follow for officiating duties.