Peninsula Juniors Volleyball Club

In 1997, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thompson, parents of Notre Dame High School , Belmont alumni Erin '98 and Amanda '01, founded the non-profit Belmont Volleyball Club to provide Notre Dame volleyball players the opportunity to experience the competitive sport of club volleyball. Notre Dame's fiercest competition came from high schools which had clubs formed for them so that athletes could play volleyball year-round. As a result, the Thompsons began Belmont Volleyball Club. Interest for club volleyball grew at a fast pace and high school players from the surrounding areas inquired about membership to the club. In 1991, and in support of all interested volleyball players, Belmont Volleyball Club changed its name to Peninsula Juniors Volleyball Club (PJV). Peninsula Juniors recently incorporated as a non-profit in 2006.

How does PJV determine the number of teams they will be fielding?

Peninsula Juniors tries to field as many teams as possible to accommodate all those interested in playing club volleyball. Consideration is given to the number of qualified coaches and courts available for the season. Each year, PJV works diligently to recruit experienced coaches for each division, in order to field as many teams as possible. PLEASE FREQUENT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES AS TO THE ACTUAL TEAMS THAT WE WILL BE FIELDING FOR THE 2008 SEASON.

How many girls are placed on each team?

Our area league teams carry a roster of 12 and our power teams carry a roster of 10-11 players.

What is the difference between the area and power divisions?

Our area league season is shorter, less expensive, less intense in competition and tournament venues are generally within an hour's drive from the Peninsula with practices beginning in January and the season ending the first weekend in June. This division is also ideal for players who have other activities, such as school sports, choir, etc., but that are still interested in enhancing their playing skills. Our area league teams do attend some power/area tournaments in order to play at a more competitive level. All our area and power teams attend our Regional Qualifier in April.

Our power teams begin practicing in December with their season concluding in mid-June. Should your daughter's team earn a bid to the Junior Olympics, her team would then play into July. Power teams play in a more intense and competitive environment. At the 14 and older level, these teams practice 2.5 hours twice a week, have higher costs and may travel further within Northern California.

Colleges recruit from power league tournaments and National Qualifiers. Therefore, girls interested in playing in college should play power.

This is our first experience with club volleyball. Do you have any advice?

Yes, please attend one of our new “Club Volleyball 101” workshops which will be held on the following dates and times:

Sunday, October 14 @ 10:30 a.m. & Sunday, November 4 @ 6:00 p.m.

In addition, we highly encourage that all girls tryout out for more than one club. Making a club team is very competitive due to the number of girls wishing to play. Former PJV players are also advised to try out for more than one club since PJV does not reserve spots for former members. Encouraging your daughters to relax and have fun at any tryout is good sound advice.

Players tend to do not do as well when they are nervous. Attending club clinics prior to tryouts is also helpful. This enables players to work on their skills, get to know our club coaches and allows the coaches to preview potential members of PJV.

Can my daughter try out for more than one PJV team?

Yes. However, it is highly encouraged that each player plays within their own age group. Choosing to play for a younger age group, when a spot has been offered within one's own grade level, is not challenging. Please note that high school freshman are playing at the high school competitive level where the intensity is much more challenging that what is found at the junior high school (13s/14s) level.

If my daughter tries out for the power team and does not make it, will she still be considered for an area league team?

Yes, our tryouts times are for both area and power teams, at the same grade level, take place simultaneously for each grade level.

Are your area teams tiered?

Yes. If two teams are fielded within an age group, one team will be drafted before the other.

When do practices begin?

Power teams will begin practicing in December and our area teams will begin in January.

Where are practices held?

Our practice sites are located as far south as Redwood City and north as San Mateo.

How often are practices held?

Area league teams practice twice a week for 2 hours. Power teams, 14 and older, will be practicing for 2.5 hours twice a week. On any given practice date, power teams may use the first ½ half hour to work with individual players. Any coach may hold additional conditioning practices throughout the season.

Peninsula Juniors will also make every effort to hold specific skill clinics throughout the season.

When are practices held?

Practices are held Mondays -Thursdays after 7:00 p.m. This gives players 3 hours for homework and a healthy dinner, high in carbohydrates. Should one of our practices be canceled for circumstances beyond our control, a make-up day may be held over the weekend.

When will my daughter know if she has made a team?

Coaches will be calling their players the evening of Sunday, Nov. 4th. However, offers can still be made after our signing date of November 12th . On occasion, a player that has been offered a spot on a PJV team may opt to play elsewhere. This would then create a vacancy on that given team.

What happens after we accept a spot on a team?

Players and their parents will be required to complete paperwork online, print it out and bring it with their $1200 (for area teams) or $2000 (for power teams) non-refundable deposit to Signing/Uniform Night, which will take place on Monday, Nov. 12th. Players will be fitted for uniforms this evening and will also have the opportunity to meet their coaches. A parent or guardian must attend with the player. VISA WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CLUB DUES BEGINNING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH .

How much playing time will my daughter get?

The PJV teams are organized by team levels with the Playing Philosophy being different based on the team level. For each team level, the philosophy, commitment, costs, number of players, number of practices, and number of tournaments varies.

Teams are assembled and players are selected and invited to play based on the understanding that each player and parent is committed to playing PJV club volleyball. With this commitment the players are EXPECTED to attend all practices and all tournaments and agree to living up to and performing to this expectation when accepting an invitation to play for a PJV team.

Most importantly, the success of any team is significantly impacted by a player's attendance at practices and tournaments. The coaches have the full right to bar any player from play (at practices or tournaments) should the commitment level become a negative issue for the team.

Playing Time Philosophies

Playing time is an important and sensitive subject, mostly for parents more than for than players. In the end, the PJV Coaches make the final decision on all play time. Be aware that the quantity of players on the team, the player positions on a team, the type of offense and defense the Coaches run, as well as, other factors, will dramatically effect playing time for all players.

Parents are encouraged to refrain from contacting, meeting with, emailing or visiting with coaches about their child's playing time.

If a player has an issue about her playing time, PJV strongly suggests that her parents be supportive of the coach's decisions and guide and direct their daughter to discuss the issue directly with her coach in order to obtain feedback, discuss improvement opportunities and request development strategies that can or may result in an increase in playing time.

If this procedure does not result in a resolution of the issue, the PJV Grievance Process is available to work through any issues with players or parents on this playing time subject.

Play-to-Win

This philosophy applies to the Power teams . This team level requires the greatest level of financial, travel, time, and attitude commitment towards playing PJV volleyball. As such, for both In-Region and Out-of-Region competitive tournament events, all playing time for players is based on what the Head and Assistant coaches feel will win. This includes all decisions on the rotation, substitutions, starting player assignments, etc.

This means that there will be mostly uneven playing time for the players and the decisions are based on the coaches' discretion and his / her goals for the team.

Play-to-Play

This philosophy applies to the Area teams. These team levels require a lesser level of financial, travel, time, but the attitude commitment and the seriousness of each player's commitment towards playing PJV volleyball is mandatory to be equally as high as the power teams.

For these levels, all playing time for the team players is based on what the Head and Assistant coaches' feel will develop his / her team and players skills, will allow players a larger opportunity to fail, learn and then succeed, while still teaching and coaching to win. This does mean that some decisions on the rotation, substitutions, starting player assignments, etc. may be made to develop a player versus always playing and starting the "best" players on the team.

The Play-to-Play philosophy means that the Head and Assistant coaches will attempt to provide each player will be given the opportunity to make a significant contribution in each match to the team regardless of ability and thereby gain the experience from tournament competition.

At the same time, all of the decisions for playing time are based on the coach's discretion and his or her goals for the team.

What happens if a player misses practice?

A player who has missed practice will have her playing time reduced at the next tournament she attends. This results in fairness to those players that have attended all practices and have given a higher degree of commitment to their team.

What happens if my daughter breaks any club rules?

PJV, the Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA) and United States Volleyball Association (USAV) maintain a strict code of conduct that each parent and player must read and sign at the start of the season. PJV requires that all its athletes and their parents demonstrate good sportsmanship, positive attitude and nurturing characteristics. It is important to remember that every member of PJV is an ambassador to the CLUB, the NCVA, and the USAV and it is expected that every member of PJV, parents and athletes, will conduct themselves with the highest moral character and integrity. PJV adheres to the philosophies of the Positive Coaching Alliance and requires all parents and players to attend scheduled seminars that reinforce these philosophies. Violation of PJV rules can carry penalties that range from single game/ tournament suspension to total revocation of NCVA membership, depending on the infraction for players and parents. It is PJV's goal to ensure each player not only develops volleyball skills but develops into cordial and responsible athletes.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Your daughter will be immediately suspended from the team until payment has been received. Her absence during her suspension will affect her playing time once she rejoins the team. Many other clubs require full payment upon signing. PJV operates on a tight budget and the established payment schedule is as lenient and fair as the club can be.

If there are any further questions you may have please feel free to email us at director@peninsulajuniors.org .

Thank you for your interest in Peninsula Juniors!