2023 COMPETITIVE GIRLS DEVELOPMENT TEAMS
We can’t wait to start our 2023 competitive indoor development team program! About 75% of tryout attendees will be offered a spot on one of our 12 teams. Those not selected to teams will receive a $20.00 credit towards a winter weekly Smash skills and games program or 4 vs 4 league. Tryouts are now completed for 2023 teams. Missed tryouts? You can still sign up for our Saturday 3:00pm-4:30pm 4 vs 4 league HERE (no tryouts necessary). More info on our 4 vs 4 league and other winter weekly programs HERE
2023 Playday Dates
13U: March 12 (8:00am-5:00pm) at SFU
13U: Jan 21, Feb 11 (12:00pm-3:00pm), Apr 1, Apr 29* (12:00pm-4:00pm) at VCS
14U: Apr 2 at SFU (8:00am-5:00pm) at SFU (except 14U Destroyers)
14U: Feb 4, Mar 4 (12:00pm-3:00pm), Apr 15 (12:00pm-4:00pm) at VCS
14U: April 30* at Osborne Centre (9:00am-3:00pm)
14U Destroyers: April 23 at St. Thomas Moore Collegiate (12:30pm-6:00pm)
15U: Feb 12 at SFU
15U: Jan 28, Feb 25 (12:00pm-3:00pm), Mar 11, Apr 22 (12:00pm-4:00pm) at VCS,
15U: April 30 at Osborne Centre (9:00pm-3:00pm)
*13/14U Bounce will compete on April 29th at VCS, not April 30th
Teams will practice once per week and compete in tournaments about once per month from mid to late January until mid to late April. Additional playdays might be added and new dates will be emailed out to participants.
Why Choose Smash Development Teams?
Many players are either not selected or do not try out for club volleyball because they are either busy multi-sport athletes or their parents do want want to commit the time, expense and travel associated with club volleyball. We want to make sure all girls have a chance to have a positive experience on a team outside of their school season. Competitive development teams are suited for advanced volleyball players with at least 2 years of experience. In 2022, our teams regularly beat ‘club’ teams of the same age! Smash development programs are our most popular program. We encourage athletes that are not selected to Thunder Volleyball Club to compete on Smash teams. Teams are open to those identifying as female or non-binary.
Why choose Smash competitive development teams over Vancouver club teams (other than Thunder)?
1. Our coaches are engaged and positive
2. We have equal playing time
3. Our fees are significantly lower than club teams in Vancouver
4. Practices and tournaments are local
5. At least 75% of kids that attend our tryouts will make a team.
6. One practice per week allows multi-sport participation in the winter months.
7. Coordination with Thunder Volleyball Club (philosophy, tryout process, identification). Dozens of Smash development team players have gone on to make Thunder teams the following year.
2023 Fees and Dates:
The program will run from the third week of January 2023 until mid April 2023. The fee for the 2022 season will be $755.00 including GST and includes all local tournaments, a Smash uniform to use for the season, and a practice/warmup shirt to keep. Tryout fees will be refunded if your daughter is selected for a Thunder team before her Smash tryout session and she then chooses to not attend a Smash tryout session.
Teams practice on either Monday, Friday, or Sundays and played mostly Saturday tournaments. We are planning for just 12 teams this year (4 per age group), and for kids that are not selected, we will offer a once per week 4 vs 4 league with some instruction but mostly gameplay.
2023 Season Ages:
13U: Birth Months Sept 2009 – December 2010
14U: Birth Months Sept 2008- December 2009
15U: Birth Months Sept 2007 – December 2008
2023 Tryouts:
Tryouts for 2023 teams have already been held. Tryouts for 2024 teams will be held in late fall 2023!
2023 Selections:
For 2023, all players returning from 2022 teams will be offered a returning player spot but must register. East Vancouver teams will practice at Vancouver Christian School near Boundary and Grandview. West side teams will practice at Osborne Centre, UBC campus.
Online Store – We are considering opening an online store, stay tuned
All players will receive a free warm-up shirt to keep and a uniform to use for the season. Below are some examples of Smash gear if you want more than just the warm-up shirt!
