CEO’S MESSAGE
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he growing success of USA Volleyball’s age-group teams is a huge victory for volleyball across the country. It reaches beyond all the talented young men, women, girls and boys who are selected to represent the U.S. in elite competitions worldwide. In essence, it’s a ripple effect. To illustrate how it works, let’s look at the 2015 U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team. Coached by former Ohio State women’s coach Jim Stone, this team won a silver medal in August at the FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship in Peru, one of many highlights pro- vided annually by our indoor and beach age-group teams. (To catch up on all the fi nishes, check out the news room at
USAVolleyball.org). Jim will tell you that many of the athletes on the GYNT came of age as volleyball players during the week-long compe- tition; with each match, they got a little savvier, learning what works at that level and what doesn’t and soaking up the winning habits of top players from other countries. That’s the start of the rip- ple, but only the start. Those
Volleyball’s ripple effect T
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players – and so many others from our elite indoor and beach teams – brought home what they learned. So the fi rst time they walked into their high school or club gyms or onto the beach or sand courts where they train, they shared their newfound knowledge with their teammates – either verbally, by example or both. There’s little in the game that’s more rewarding than seeing the growth of players who have recently experienced the wider world of volleyball. It often comes in simple forms. Maybe someone sees a young player from China serve a fl oater from 20 feet behind the service line and decides to see how well it might work for them. Or maybe it’s a beach shot that they add to their repertoire after seeing it work in a big tournament overseas. Or it could simply be a renewed confi dence that comes from knowing you can compete on the same level as top players from other countries. This, in turn, translates into improved leadership skills that allow the players to positively infl uence their high school and club teammates. However it impacts each individual, it’s all part of a growth process in young volleyball players that also teaches them a lot about life. With that in mind, USA Volleyball continues to seek ways to expand the opportunities for athletes who rise to the level of our age-group national teams as well as all the athletes throughout our pipeline that play in the programs that feed those top teams. Players across the country who have their sights set on someday representing the U.S. at the elite level can start the journey by getting involved in one of our many High Performance programs, where they’ll be taught by experienced coaches who can help them take their game to a higher level. To get information on USAV HP (indoor and beach) or to fi nd out about the selection process for our age-group national teams, go to
USAVolleyball.org. As I’ve said in this space before, getting involved in our HP program isn’t a guaran- tee that you’ll make one of the elite teams. But you never know. And whatever level you reach, you’re sure to enjoy an opportunity to work with some of the very best coaches in the country and play alongside talented athletes in your age group. Striving for ever higher goals, ever higher levels of play makes you and everyone you compete with and against better!
The challenge awaits. Go for it! Doug Beal
PHOTO: USAV
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