FAQ
General Questions
What should I wear to practice/clinic/tryouts?
A t-shirt (we recommend long sleeves, arm sleeves, or elbow pads for diving!), shorts or leggings, kneepads (optional), hair pulled back, and court shoes or non-marking athletic shoes. Please change into your shoes at the gym to help us keep our courts clean.
Do I need a USAV membership?
USAV membership is now required to try out. Memberships expire August 31st of each year, so memberships will need to be renewed after this date. If your USAV membership is in a different region, we can help you do a quick region transfer.
Club Tryout FAQs
Should I tryout with my age or my grade?
We always recommend that athletes try out with their grade, even if you’re young for your grade and qualify for a lower age group per the USAV Age Chart (e.x.; 9th Grade = U15; 10th Grade = U16). We will find the best placement from there.
If an athlete is too old to participate in their grade, they should try out with the older age group.
Please refer to our Age Definition Chart for more information. If your athlete would prefer to play down, you may notify Angela (admin@northeastvbc.com) and your program director (Girls- garrett@northeastvbc.com & shawn@northeastvbc.com/Boys- jon@northeastvbc.com) before tryouts, but they will still try out with their grade for maximum opportunities.
Which tryout session(s) should I attend?
Your tryout fee allows you to attend every tryout for your age group. We advise that you come to as many sessions as possible so as to increase your time in front of our staff and paint a clearer picture of your game.
*GIRLS ONLY: Athletes in the U14, U15, and U16 age groups will be assigned a wave to attend on each day of tryouts. This wave will be assigned to you three (3) days before the first tryout for your age group. Athletes will not get to choose their own wave. Requests to switch will not be accommodated.
Do I have to register online for tryouts?
Yes, online registration is required for tryouts. We will not be able to accept walk-up registrations.
My high school team is still in the state tournament - can I come to your clinic or try out for a club team?
No, you cannot attend any club volleyball events if your Varsity team is still in the CIAC state tournament. This does not apply to FAA, NY, or other private/prep schools (only CT CIAC schools). If you are a JV or freshman player, you can attend club events once your season is over, UNLESS you are double-rostered or pulled up to the Varsity roster. It is always best to check with your high school coach or AD regarding in-season eligibility questions.
I'm a parent. Can I watch tryouts?
Our tryouts are closed to staff and athletes only. Parents and guardians are encouraged to drop off their athlete. Please note that parents and guardians may not go onto the courts or address the court coaches and evaluators at any time during tryouts.
How will you evaluate the athletes and select the teams?
Four main factors are weighed when evaluating teams
-
Current Skill Level - Assessment of "General Skills" and "Position Specific" skills.
-
Physical Potential (i.e. height, speed, and vertical leap) - These are important factors in volleyball, and will be weighted heavily for athletes looking to play on an Open level team.
-
Coachability and Mindfulness - The ability to learn and be mindful are important indicators of potential in our gym. We actively coach the athletes during tryouts and look to see who is learning and applying feedback.
-
Leadership and Communication - These are essential to volleyball as a team sport and are considered heavily, especially when athletes are similar in skill.
Other evaluation factors include: Volleyball IQ, Commitment Level, Work Ethic, and Attitude
We take pride in our evaluation process having integrity. We will NEVER offer an athlete a spot without seeing them play live OR watching current film that the athlete has sent us. Athletes are evaluated using qualitative metrics by multiple coaches during tryouts. Using this data, athletes will be ranked by position and then assigned to teams based on their position rankings and/or adjacent positions. We ensure a fair evaluation by briefing our staff about bias and excluding the evaluations of any athlete's high school coach who may be part of our staff.
We will begin to offer some spots immediately after each session and will continue making offers a few days after tryouts.
How many teams will you make in each age group?
BOYS TEAMS: This season, we will have one 1s team at the U14-U18 levels. We also plan to field one 2s teams at the U14-U18 levels. For Academy teams, we will offer teams at the U14-U18 levels. For Launch teams, we will offer U12-U16 teams. U12-U14 teams will be Coed while there will be separate Boys/Girls teams for U15+.
Click here to see our 25-26 Boys teams.
GIRLS TEAMS: This season, we will have one 1s team at the U13-U18 levels. We also plan to field at least one 1s team for U12 level, one 2s team at the U13-U18 levels, and a 3s team at the U16 level. For Academy teams, we will have three to four teams at the U13/U14, U15, U16 levels, as well as two to three U17 teams and one U18 team. For Launch teams we will offer U12-U16 teams. U12-U14 Launch teams will be Coed while there will be separate Boys/Girls teams for U15+.
How many roster spots are there per team?
BOYS: Varies from 10-12 players with 2-3 practice players (attend all team training but no tournaments)
GIRLS: Varies from 10-12 players with 1-3 practice players (attend all team training but no tournaments)*
*U18 Rosters may have up to 14 athletes
I am getting pressured by another club to commit to their team – what should I do?
Don’t be pressured; call or text us first at 203-939-7413 and ask for Angela or email admin@northeastvbc.com! We may not be able to guarantee a spot if tryouts are ongoing, but we believe in transparency throughout this process and will be very honest about where you stand.
What are the different levels of NEVBC club teams?
In order to best differentiate between the numerous offerings each team receives, we use the following terms to describe the various programs, starting with the highest level of time, financial, and travel commitment.
Level: Club, Academy, Launch
Team Name (examples):
-
Club Teams - 17.1, 17.2
-
Academy Teams - 17 Blue, 17 Orange
To read more detail about the various levels, check out our Boys Club and Girls Club pages.
I was on a team last year - will I make a team this year?
We do not reserve any team spots for prior season athletes. We believe athletes have to earn their spot on a team every year during a fair tryout, which is how we will continue to build the most competitive teams in the area.
How do I submit my highlight video if I can't make my club tryout?
When you register for tryouts, there is a form field to include a video link when you register for tryouts. Your video should be a link to YouTube, Hudl, or something similar. You can also add this at a later time by emailing admin@northeastvbc.com.
I'm new to NEVBC - do I have a chance to make a team?
Yes, we welcome new athletes into all of our programs every season! We are always excited to meet new athletes and to get the chance to coach them.
Payment & Billing FAQs
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (except American Express) through our online registration and payment system, which is powered by League Apps. We also accept checks made out to Northeast Volleyball Club or cash. We do not accept Venmo as form of payment for club or class fees. Please note that for private or small group training, payment should be made directly to the coach (cash or check).
What is your refund policy for CLASSES AND CAMPS?
Refunds are available if cancellation is made 5+ days prior to the class or camp.
-
You must cancel 5+ days prior to the start of the class/camp to receive a full refund.
-
Cancellations within 5 days of the class/camp will not be given a refund.*
*Site credit may be given at the club’s discretion, and there are exceptions for injuries and medical/family emergencies.
LeagueApps Resources & Guide
These guides will help you navigate and use your League Apps account.
What is your refund policy for CLUB TEAMS?
Our Club Teams have a considerable fixed budget once roster spots are accepted. We've designed our refund policy to be reasonable to both families and the club. If an athlete drops from a team for non-medical reasons after accepting a team spot, there will be no refunds and the full season balance will be due, unless the directors and family agree on an alternate arrangement. For U16-U18 Girls tryouts in August, we will make an exception if an athlete doesn’t make their high school team and notifies us immediately. There are refunds given if an athlete drops mid-season for a documented and verified medical reason.
U16-U18 Girls Club Teams (August tryouts)
For U16-U18 athletes trying out in August, a $1500 nonrefundable team deposit is required upon accepting a spot. Refunds are based on medical documentation and specific timelines.
Details below:
-
Drop BEFORE Tryouts: Full refund minus a $25 administrative fee
-
Drop after Tryouts because an athlete doesn't make their high school team: Notify the directors (garrett@northeastvbc.com / shawn@northeastvbc.com) and Tryouts Coordinator (admin@northeastvbc.com) immediately after high school tryouts. A full refund less the tryout fee will be given.
-
Drop for Documented Medical Reasons once season has started:
-
Drop before Feb 15:** 50% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop between Feb 15-April 1:** 25% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop After April 1: No refunds will be given. Athletes may be given credit for summer programs.
-
-
Drop for non-medical reasons after team selections: No refunds will be given.
U12-U15 Girls Open/Club Teams (November tryouts)
Refunds are based on medical documentation and specific timelines.
-
Drop BEFORE Tryouts: Full refund minus a $25 administrative fee
-
Drop for Documented Medical Reasons once season has started:
-
Drop before Feb 15:** 50% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop between Feb 15-April 1:** 25% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop After April 1: No refunds will be given. Athletes may be given credit for summer programs.
-
-
Drop for non-medical reasons after team selections: No refunds will be given.
Boys Open/Club/Academy Teams (October tryouts)
Refunds are based on medical documentation and specific timelines.
-
Drop BEFORE Tryouts: Full refund minus a $25 administrative fee
-
Drop for Documented Medical Reasons once season has started:
-
Drop before Dec 15:** 50% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop between Dec 15-Jan 1:** 25% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop After Jan 15: No refunds will be given. Athletes may be given credit for summer programs.
-
-
Drop for non-medical reasons after team selections: No refunds will be given.
U12-U17 Girls Academy & Launch Teams (August & November tryouts)
Refunds are based on medical documentation and specific timelines.
-
Drop BEFORE Tryouts: Full refund minus a $25 administrative fee
-
(August Tryouts Only) Drop after Tryouts because an athlete doesn't make their high school team: Notify the directors (garrett@northeastvbc.com / shawn@northeastvbc.com) and Tryouts Coordinator (admin@northeastvbc.com) immediately after high school tryouts. A full refund less the tryout fee will be given.
-
Drop for Documented Medical Reasons once season has started
-
Drop before Feb 1:** 50% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop between Feb 1-Mar 1:** 25% refund, less the uniform fee
-
Drop After Mar 1: No refunds will be given. Athletes may be given credit for summer programs.
-
-
Drop for non-medical reasons after team selections: No refunds will be given.
Can I pay club fees in installments?
Club payments can be paid in full by the first deadline or in payment plan installments. Please see our Girls Club & Boys Club pages for more details on this, as well as due dates and amounts. If you need more time on a payment, please contact admin@northeastvbc.com to arrange an alternate payment plan.
What is your missed payment policy?
We have a one-week grace period for missed payments. If payment has not been made one week after the payment plan deadlines, the athlete will not be allowed to train until payment has been made. If you need more time or are unable to make a payment, please contact admin@northeastvbc.com and we will provide an extension or alternate payment plan as needed.
Do you offer financial aid? If so, how do I apply?
We are thrilled to offer financial aid through the Nectar Volley Fund. You must FIRST register for tryouts, then submit your financial aid application. Please see the 2026 due dates below:
- Girls U16-U18: August 9, 2026
- Boys U14-U18: September 11, 2026
- Girls U12-U15: October 22, 2026
Please see our Nectar Volley Fund website for more information on how to apply. If you are eligible and have applied for financial aid, your tryout registration fee will be waived.
Applications received after the deadlines will not be reviewed in full. Late submissions will be considered on a limited basis and may receive only partial financial aid, rather than the amount that may have been awarded prior to the deadline.
What is your registration insurance policy?
To learn more about our registration insurance, click here!
What is your sibling discount?
Sibling Discount — Classes and Camps
NEVBC offers a 20% sibling discount for the second child and each additional child enrolled in classes and camps in the same season, applied to the lower tuition amount. To have this discount applied, please contact us at admin@northeastvbc.com.
Sibling Discount — Club Tuition
NEVBC offers a 20% sibling discount for the second child and each additional child enrolled in a club team in the same season, applied to the lower club tuition amount. To have this discount applied, please contact us at admin@northeastvbc.com.