The goal of the Youth Volleyball Program is to develop a child’s volleyball skills in a positive environment which promotes Christian values.

Link to Schedules/Standings/Results:
www.westcountycyc.com

Link to CYC Volleyball Rules:
http://www.cycstl.net/sports/Forms-Publications/Volleyball/2007%20Volleyball%20Rulebook%20no%20diagrams.pdf

Who can play?
-All boys and girls, 3rd through 8th grade, are eligible for participation.
-The game is played with 6 players on the court.
-Eight or nine players are recommended per team.  However, these numbers are only intended as a guideline.  Your Volleyball Coordinator will do her best to ensure that your child gets on a team if registered by the deadline.
-All teams will be playing in CYC West County League this year.
-All participants 5th grade and older must attain a CYC ID card.

When and Where-Practices and Games?
-Practices are held in Gateway Academy gym one/two nights a week (depending on age), Monday through Friday.
-Teams may start practicing in early August.
-Games begin in early September and end in mid-November.  Although some playoff games may go through the end of November.
-Teams typically play between 8-10 matches depending on the number of teams in a division.
-Boys games are typically played on Sunday afternoons/evenings. 
-Girl’s games are typically played on Saturday mornings/afternoons.
NOTE:  Soccer and volleyball leagues do run concurrently and there could be conflicts.  The coaches will do everything possible to work with each other and their players.
-Games will be played at Gateway Academy and other gyms in the West County Area. (St. Alban, St. Monica, Holy Infant, Incarnate Word, CPOP, etc.)

Registration Period:  March 31st, 2008  – May 2nd, 2008 (all returning families)

Registration Fee:   $110 per child

Parent Participation: 
All parents are encouraged to volunteer in our Volleyball Program as a Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager, practice/game helper or party organizer.  If your team already has a head coach please ask the coach what you can do to help the team.  Each volunteer coach and parent must fulfill their Archdiocese obligation by being compliant with the following guidelines; otherwise they will not be allowed to help on the team:
1. Attend Protecting God’s Children Workshop. 
2. Fill out the Background Check form.
3. Turn in a copy of their Social Security Card for the Background Check.
4. Head Coaches must take "Coaching to Make a Positive Difference" class.
5. Assistant Coaches must attain a CYC ID card.

Team Formation: 
WCCYC’s philosophy in forming teams is to provide each participant with the highest quality of experience possible when participating in a sponsored CYC activity.  There are only two rules CYC enforces when forming rosters.  The only rules which cannot be violated are no tryouts (stacking teams) and no cuts can be made when forming teams.  However, teams can be formed by any method that in the institution’s mind follows the general philosophy of CYC.  CYC has designated the Athletic Director as the individual responsible for forming teams for Gateway Academy.  Teams can and will be reformed on a yearly basis based on skill, commitment or any other factor which allows a team and its participants a higher quality of experience.

Maximum number of players on each team.  All individuals who sign up during the sign up time will be placed on a team.  However, those individuals who do not sign up during the sign up period of time are not guaranteed a spot. In this case it is up the athletic director, in coordination with the K-8th Grade Sports Coordinators and coach of the team in question, to determine size of roster. 

Uniforms:
The athletic department will issue all uniforms to the coach.  It is the responsibility of the coach to distribute to each member of the team.  The coach will be responsible for the collection of uniforms.  Shorts, socks and other gear necessary to play a particular sport are the responsibility of the participant.  There is a $50 deposit (check only) that is required as part of the registration fee which will be returned to participant once uniform is returned at the end of the season.  Participants have one month after the conclusion of the season to return uniform, otherwise, check will be deposited.