OVA Tryout forms* (for all athletes 17 years of age and under)

OVA Tryout forms* (for all athletes 18 years of age and older)

* A completed OVA form is mandatory for all who attend tryouts. Please print, sign (parents) and bring with you to the first tryout. You will need this at registration table.

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Tryout Window Policy

The 2017 tryout window is September 8 through 16. We encourage all athletes and their families to review and inform themselves on the OVA’s 2017/18 Tryout Window Policy.

Tryout Schedule 2017

Click here for the most recent complete schedule (boys and girls overview).

Or click here for GIRLS-only or BOYS-only schedules*.

* check your age division here

KEY 2017 DATES (additional dates/times may be added)**

September 8-16  – scheduled tryout period

September 16  – Club offers will be made via the "OVA Offer Form" by this date.

September 17-18 – athletes offered spots on a team are able to sign their offer form.

Signing Day (date TBA) – deposit fees and signed forms due. 

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Playing Up and Playing Down Guidelines

OVA rules allow up to two over-age players per team. An athlete born from September 1st to December 31st, can request to try out for a 1-age-group-lower team. This does not apply to 19U athletes if affiliated with a post-secondary institution. This new OVA guideline is intended to properly evaluate what is best for the athlete and allow them to play at the appropriate skill level.

Athletes who desire to "play up" or "play down" must indicate this, plus the reasons, on their Maverick Tryout registration form. Final decision on such requests rest with the Maverick Club coaches and executive body.

• Playing Up: Athletes who feel their skill level is appropriate for a level above their age, can request to tryout for an older team.

• Playing Down: Athletes born in September through December (only) may request to try out for a younger team (1 year younger than their actual age). 

Click here for the full playing up/down policy details.

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Tryout Process

1. The Maverick Club will make offers to athletes by Saturday September 16, 2017 to comply with the Tryout Window – Phase 1 period (Sept 8-16).
   •     Athletes will be offered positions on teams via the OVA Offer Form by Sept. 16, 2017.
   •     Athletes are not required to commit until the signing period of Sept. 17 to 18.
    
2. 15U to 18U High Performance Teams will not have strength and conditioning testing as part of the tryout process. Testing will be conducted once the teams are selected and athletes confirmed on the teams’ rosters.
    
3. Elimination of the skills assessment portion of the tryout for 17U and 18U athletes, and an increased emphasis on the team play portion.

The selection process will include an assessment of various elements such as physical testing (all age groups), skill assessment (12U - 16U), and game situation assessment (all age groups). 

All athletes within the same age group and gender – regardless of their intention/desire to play Competitive (COMP) or High Performance (HP) – will be assessed collectively in accordance with the OVA’s tryout policy. Our registration form has been updated to include all options.

Here are the steps each athlete will follow during the selection process.

Step 1: Initial Day – Physical Testing, Skill Assessment, and Parent Meeting

Step 2: Continuation 1 - combined COMP and HP Practice & Game Situation

 Within 24 hours after the session, coaches will:

- Make verbal/email communication to invite selected athletes to continue with HP tryouts.

- Make verbal/email communication to inform remaining athletes that they should continue with COMP tryouts.

Step 3: Continuation 2 - Practice & Game Situation, streamed into HP-specific and COMP-specific courts

 Within 24 hours after the session, coaches will:

- Make verbal communication to inform athletes whether they will receive an official offer

- Make verbal/email communication to inform athletes of their status on the team (i.e. alternates)

Step 4: Continuation 3 (if necessary) – repeat 2

Step 5: Offer/Intent to Sign Athlete 

By September 16, coaches will start contacting successful athletes and alternates to offer a roster spot and answer any questions the athlete or family may have.  Note: in some age groups, offers may be made prior to that date, depending on their final tryout session.

In the case of alternates, the coach will explain the situation and, if applicable, will coordinate options with another Maverick coach.

If the athlete is ready to accept the roster spot, he/she must officially sign by September 18, 2016.

If the athlete needs to review their options, he/she will have 48 hours (between Sept 16 and 18) to inform the coach of their decision. This 48-hour response window is to allow the coach to inform any alternates that may be impacted by this decision.

Step 6: Maverick Signing Day – (date TBD) 

Athletes and families will attend (location to be determined) to sign and provide their non-refundable deposit payment of TBD. Upon signing and payment of deposit, the athlete will be officially registered as a Maverick player.
 

Register for Tryouts 

Online registration is CLOSED See top of this page on How to register.

The non-refundable fee is $33 online in advance (the online option closes at noon on Friday Sept 9th), or $40 (cash only, also non-refundable) at the door.

FAQs

• What does the fee include?

The fee is non-refundable and includes a Maverick t-shirt, physical testing (4 tests), skill assessment (3 skills) for all but 17U and 18U, on-court practice (1-2 hours), off-court info sessions, athlete questionnaire & a scrimmage (1-2 hours).

A portion of these fees will also be donated to charity. Our Charity this year is CHEO, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

There are no refunds of the tryout fee for any reason.

• How many sessions do I have to attend?

Each athlete must attend a minimum of 2 tryout sessions. The first will be for the registration, physical testing and skill assessment. The second will include a practice, info session, questionnaire and game situation assessment. Typically 3 or more sessions may occur, and it is highly recommended that athletes attend every session to ensure proper assessment.

• What if I miss a tryout?

If for any valid reason, an athlete misses any tryout session, they must contact the Head Coach of that age division. For the first testing session, there is a scheduled makeup date (Monday, Sept 11th at Mer Bleue, 8:15pm). If the athlete misses a second or subsequent session, please contact the head coach of that specific team to determine if there could be another time available for assessment; the Head Coach has final say in these matters, they are not obligated in any way to provide additional assessment time. 

If there is a conflict between another Club’s tryout and ours, we recommend that you inform us in advance and we will help you work out any such conflicts to create a solution that maximizes the options for the athlete. 

• What is the difference between HP and Competitive programs?

The Competitive Program is designed for athletes who wish to play the sport at a serious competition level. Competition is usually centred on the OVA schedule. Supplemental local and regional tournaments may be added. Comp teams have the option of competing at Volleyball Canada Nationals in the spring. 

The High Performance Program aims to maximize each athlete's individual potential, in combination with team fortitude and cohesion, through the addition of supplemental practice and training methodologies (such as nutrition, mental and strength/agility training). HP teams compete more often, and both interprovincially and internationally, and a higher level of time commitment is required. All HP teams are expected to compete at the Canadian National Competition.

• Should I try out for High Performance (HP) or Competitive?

Physical testing and skill assessment are at the same time and gyms for all athletes in an age division (both HP and Competitive). Next is a combined practice and game session, during which potential HP candidates will be identified. Any athlete not selected to an HP team will continue tryouts in the Competitive stream. Be aware that the HP program requires a higher level of time commitment and also travel and is geared for a progression to varsity post-secondary recruitment. Any athlete in the HP stream can opt to change to the competitive stream at any point in the tryout process (no additional tryout cost).

• What age groups have Competitive teams?

The Maverick Volleyball Club fields gender-specific competitive teams at all age groups from 13U to 18U where sufficient numbers exist.

• What age groups have HP teams?

The Maverick Volleyball Club prides itself in following the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, and therefore we only offer HP teams at the "train to compete" level and above. We offer HP programs for the following:

Girls: 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U.
Boys: 16U, 17U, 18U.

• What is a pre-HP team?

The pre-HP team (pre-high performance team) is an introductory year of the HP format that is offered at a younger level. This offer supplemental training sessions as well as one strength/conditioning session a week. These teams are most likely to compete a few more tournaments than a regular competitive team. Offered at 14U for girls and 15U for boys.

• How much does it cost to be on a Competitive (Comp) team?

As a non-profit organization, Maverick team fees are cost-recovery only. Budgets set by the Club Financial Officer cover all fixed operating costs, such as: OVA registration and tournament entry fees, team uniforms and practice T's, coaching, and practice requirements (gyms, balls, equipment), and a seat at the year-end banquet. Additional competitions, travel and accommodation are "pay as you go" based on an agreed upon season plan.

• How much does it cost to be on a High Performance (HP) team?

Maverick HP fees are set by each individual team, within Club parameters, and must achieve a zero-based budgeting outcome. Team budgets are set by the coaching staff in cooperation with, and approved by that team's parent group. Budgets include OVA registration fees, all tournament entry fees (including Nationals and international or interprovincial play), travel and accommodation to all tournaments, practice requirements (gyms, balls, equipment), team gear, coaching, supplemental training (nutrition, sport psyche, and strength trainers), plus a seat at the year-end banquet. Any remaining balance is returned to the parents at the end of the season. 

• What age division do I fall into?

Players must be under the designated age catergory based on their birth date.

2017/2018 season:

13U (13 and Under) - born in 2005

14U (14 and Under) - born in 2004

15U (15 and Under) - born in 2003

16U (16 and Under) - born in 2002

17U (17 and Under) - born in 2001

18U (18 and Under) - born in 2000

• How long is a competitive or HP tournament season?

The competitive tournament season starts in Nov-Dec and end in Apr-May. Once teams are formed, teams start to practice. Most competitive teams play up to 4 OVA tournaments (1 day event) plus Provincial and/or Nationals (2-3 day events). HP teams play a few more tournaments (4-5 more), depending on the seasonal budget of each team (which is drafted by the coach following consultation with the parents).

If you have any further questions, please send an email to info@maverickvolleyball.ca.

 

ATTENTION

Make sure your registration information includes a valid email address that you check regularly.

THE MAVERICK VOLLEYBALL CLUB STRIVES TO OFFER AS MANY PLAYING OPPORTUNITIES AS POSSIBLE FOR COMPETITIVE ATHLETES. FROM YEAR TO YEAR WE MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING ENOUGH QUALITY COACHES TO RUN THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH LEADS TO THE CANCELLATION OF SOME TEAMS, AND THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR ANY CHANGES REGARDING TEAMS WE WILL BE OFFERING FOR THE CURRENT SEASON.
 

Interested in coaching or assistant coaching positions?

The Maverick Volleyball Club accepts coaching applications year round. Visit our Coaching application page for more information.