Peninsula Juniors Volleyball Club

Peninsula Juniors is committed to enriching the lives of participating girls through a comprehensive volleyball program that promotes the development of qualities in the athlete that will serve her as she develops into an adult and for the rest of her life.

Coaches at PJV are committed to providing the highest level volleyball instruction available to progress the skills of each girl throughout the season and as the player continues to play volleyball. However, perhaps more importantly, Peninsula Juniors is committed to…

Instilling in each athlete a sense of responsibility by demanding consistently high standards of behavior and making the athlete aware and respectful of others;

Engendering commitment in the athlete through her dedication to the goals of the club, her team and to her teammates;

Encouraging and systematically training athletes to be self-confident volleyball players and young women;

Nurturing unselfishness in the athlete by requiring that her actions on and off the court be consistent with the goals of the club and her team as a whole and not to be directed towards individual successes and honors;

Generating in the athlete a willingness to sacrifice her time and energy towards the fulfillment of shared goals;

Furthering a sense of personal discipline in the athlete by demanding abstention from activities that limit her athletic, academic, and personal potential;

Instilling a life-long love of and passion for the game of volleyball and the physical fitness and emotional well-being that comes as a result.

Our philosophy at Peninsula Juniors is to guide each girl to not only become a great volleyball player, but also a great person as they enter adulthood. At PJV, the interests of the girls are always at the forefront of every decision.

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

Yes! Please attend our “Club Volleyball 101” workshop which will be held:

Saturday, November 7 @ 1:30 p.m

We strongly encourage that players attend PJV clinics prior to tryouts. This enables players to work on their skills, get to know our coaching staff, and allows players' skills to be previewed by the coaches who ultimately choose the teams. Players are usually more comfortable at tryouts if they have attended the clinics.

We are also available to answer any questions you may have via e-mail at director@peninsulajuniors.org.

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

Yes. However, it is highly encouraged that each player plays within their own grade level. Choosing to play for a younger age group, when a spot has been offered on a team within one's own grade level, is not beneficial to a player, offers little challenge, and will not sufficiently prepare a player for their next high school or club season. Please note that teams in the 15 and under level (high school) and older play at a significantly higher level than is offered at the 14 and under level (junior high school).

If my daughter tries out during the time allotted for her age/grade group, is she trying out for both the power league team and the area league teams?

Yes. Players who try out may specify “area only” when they register if they wish to only be considered for the area league team in that age group. All other players will be considered for both power and area league teams, with the most qualified girls being offered spots on the power league team in that age group, the next most qualified girls being offered positions on the area league teams in the appropriate age group.

My daughter can only attend one day of tryouts because of a scheduling conflict. Will she be at a disadvantage at the tryout?

Peninsula Juniors understands that players will have conflicts on the tryout weekend, particularly because of conflicting schedules for tryouts with other clubs. One of the main reasons for two days of tryouts is to give players the opportunity to try out for other clubs on one of the days. Every girl who attends a Peninsula Juniors tryout is afforded the same consideration, regardless of how many days she is able to attend.

Players who are only able to attend one day of tryouts are encouraged to attend at least one PJV clinic so as to maximize the exposure to the coaches who will be ultimately choosing the teams.

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

Coaches will initially call players who have made a team on the evening of Sunday, November 8. However, offers can still be made up until our signing date of November 16. 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 non-refundable deposit to Signing and Uniform Night, which will take place on November 16. Players will be fitted for uniforms this evening and will also have the opportunity to meet with their coaches. A parent or guardian must attend with the player.

What is the National Governing Body in the United States for volleyball and ultimately, for PJV?

Peninsula Juniors operates in conjunction with USA Volleyball's Junior Girls' Program. USA Volleyball is responsible for local, regional, national, and international volleyball competition for the United States. Peninsula Juniors is located in the Northern California Region (NCVA), which extends north to the Oregon border, south to Fresno, west to San Francisco, and east to the Utah border.

Information regarding all NCVA programs, including the area and power leagues and NCVA special tournaments can be found on the NCVA website at www.ncva.com . Information regarding special tournaments outside of the Northern California Region (Pacific Northwest Qualifier, Colorado Crossroads, etc) can be found at www.usavolleyball.org .

What is the difference between an “area league” team and a “power league” team?

Each team in Peninsula Juniors is categorized as an “area league” team or “power league” team. There are four main differences between the two kinds of teams: the NCVA league in which the team participates, the philosophies and policies regarding playing time decisions, the number of Junior National (formally Junior Olympic or JO's) Qualifiers scheduled, and consequently, the cost of involvement on the team. Please see the “Playing Time” section and “Cost” section for more information on those items.

The primary reason for the distinction is that area league teams play in the NCVA's area league, and power league teams participate in the NCVA's power league. Area league teams begin practice in January and finish at the beginning of June; power league teams begin practice in December and finish at the beginning of May or the beginning of July, should the team qualify for Junior Nationals.

The area league is designed to minimize travel for the participants. Tournaments are located one hour or less from the location of each club involved. Because of this, the competition at area league tournaments varies, as tournaments are organized by geographical location rather than strength of team. The area league consists of a one-day Qualifier, four league tournament dates, and a two-day Regional Championship (7 tournament dates).

The power league offers a more competitive environment for the teams involved. Power league tournaments are organized by strength of team as determined by performance in each tournament. Consequently, the location of each power league tournament varies; although some tournament dates may be in San Mateo or San Jose, other tournaments may be as far as Rocklin or Fresno. The power league consists of a two-day Qualifier, three league tournament dates, and a two-day Regional Championship (7 tournament dates).

All PJV teams play in the following tournaments in addition to the area or power league:

California Kickoff (January)

President's Day Tournament (February)

Far Westerns Junior National Qualifier (April, in Reno, NV)

One or two other non-league one-day tournaments or NCVA special tournaments, as determined by the coaching staff

Power league teams will also attend one additional Junior National Qualifier in Los Angeles; Denver, Colorado; or Spokane, Washington. Should a team qualify for Junior Nationals, the team will travel to Reno at the end of June for the tournament, thereby extending the season, time, and financial commitment.

How many players make up each area league and power league team?

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

Are your area teams tiered?

Yes. If two teams are fielded within an age group, one team will be drafted first using the more qualified players, then the other will be drafted with the next most qualified players.

When do practices begin?

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

San Mateo High School ( San Mateo )

Ralston Middle School ( Belmont )

San Carlos Youth Center ( San Carlos )

Red Morton Community Center ( Redwood City )

Kennedy Middle School ( Redwood City )

Other practice sites may also be added.

Practice locations, dates, and times for each team will be available by the tryout weekend.

How often are practices held?

All Peninsula Juniors teams practice twice a week for two hours. PJV coaches may hold additional conditioning practices for the team throughout the season.

When are practices held?

Practices are held either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Practices may be held from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, 5:30pm – 7:30pm, or 7:00pm – 9:00pm. Players will have at least 3 hours before or after practice to do homework and still get to bed by 10:00pm. Should one of our practices be canceled for circumstances beyond our control, a make-up day may be scheduled on a weekend day.

What happens if a player misses practice?

A player who misses 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 level of commitment to their team. Details are determined by the coaches and explained in the team handbook provided to each player at the beginning of the season.

How much playing time should my daughter expect to receive?

The philosophies and policies regarding playing time differ in each program. For all Peninsula Juniors teams, coaches will endeavor to offer as many team members as possible the opportunity to play in matches. However, coaches will never make promises regarding playing time and it should never be assumed that players will receive “equal” playing time. All decisions for playing time are based on the coach's discretion and his or her goals for the team. Club dues pay for instruction, not for playing time.

For an area league team, playing time is assessed by what the coaches feel will best develop their team and each individual player's skills, while still endeavoring to win. Coaches will strive to provide each player the opportunity to make a contribution in each match regardless of ability, and thereby gain experience from tournament competition. Often, decisions will be made on the rotation, player positions, and substitutions in an effort to most successfully develop players as opposed to always playing the most skilled or experienced players on the team.

For the power league teams, there is no minimum requirement or expectation of playing time of players for a particular match, however every player should have an opportunity to receive some playing time during a tournament day.

All playing time philosophies operate on the assumption of 100% on-time attendance at practices and tournaments. Should a player break team rules or miss practice or a tournament, players are subject to sanctions that may affect playing time, as determined by the coaches and explained in the team handbook provided to each player at the beginning of the season.

My daughter is hoping to earn an athletic scholarship to college for volleyball. How can we maximize her chances of being seen by college coaches?

College coaches typically recruit at power league tournaments, Junior National Qualifiers, and other national tournaments (i.e., Las Vegas Classic). If your daughter is interested in being seen by college recruiters, she should play for a power league team.

Peninsula Juniors will also provide valuable information and assistance with the college recruiting process.

Will Peninsula Juniors be going to JO's (Junior Olympics) this year?

The only answer that any responsible club can provide to this question is, “Hopefully!” USA Volleyball's Junior Nationals (previously called Junior Olympics, or JO's) can only be attended by finishing at the top of a National Qualifier or by outstanding achievement in the power league. Achievement is based on the success of the combination of players on a team while instructed and guided by its coaching staff. Every year is a new year with a fresh team, so no one can predict who will and will not attend Junior Nationals.

How much does it cost to play for Peninsula Juniors?

Costs for the 2010 season have not been finalized at this time. All area league teams will cost $2,200 for the club season.

Power league teams in the 12, 13, and 14, 16, and 17 and under age groups will cost $3,700. The cost for the 15 and under age group will be $4,000, because this team will attend the Junior National Qualifier in Spokane , Washington instead of Los Angeles due to a power league scheduling conflict. Should a team in the 12, 13, 14, 16, or 17 and under age group decide to attend the qualifier in Spokane or Denver , the additional travel and lodging fees will be added to the club dues, $150 more for Denver or an additional $300 for Spokane.

Club dues include player training, USA Volleyball and NCVA fees and individual membership fees, tournament entry fees, in-season PJV skills clinics, coaches' salaries and training, travel to and hotels in Los Angeles for the Southern California Qualifier, payroll, taxes, insurance, bookkeeping, legal expenses, facilities, uniforms and other PJV gear, equipment, website, postage and post office box, phone, and other miscellaneous expenses.

What options do I have for paying my club dues?

Peninsula Juniors Volleyball Club accepts personal checks, money orders, and all major credit card for any payments due. Club dues may be paid in one payment on the Signing and Uniform Night or three payments over three months (deposit plus payments in January and February). Should a family experience or anticipate financial hardship, other payment arrangements may be made upon request.

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. Peninsula Juniors operates on a responsible budget and the established payment schedule is as lenient to the families and fair to the financial obligations of the club as it can be.

What happens if my daughter breaks any club rules?

Peninsula Juniors, the NCVA, and USA Volleyball 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 players and their parents demonstrate good sportsmanship, positive attitude, and nurturing characteristics. It is important to remember that every member of our club is a representative of Peninsula Juniors, the NCVA, and the USA Volleyball, and it is expected that every coach, player, or club family member 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 or tournament suspension to total revocation of Peninsula Juniors association and NCVA membership, depending on the infraction for players and parents. It is the goal of Peninsula Juniors to ensure that each player not only develops volleyball skills but develops into morally and socially responsible young woman.

When was Peninsula Juniors Established?

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.

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!