Juniors

**All Juniors MUST be a USAV member. There will be a USAV official on site if you need to register**

*JUNIOR REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY AT NOON PRIOR TO THE EVENT-NO ONSITE REGISTRATION- WE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTING ONLINE REGISTRATIONS- NO EXCEPTIONS*

Beach volleyball’s popularity has exploded since becoming an Olympic sport. Indoor club volleyball has grown to an all time high. We understand there is an interest among young players to learn the game of beach volleyball.

The overwhelming sense of growth potential and a positive attitude among these young players will help ensure a strong future for beach volleyball. These new beach athletes build excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the season. Exclusive Sports Marketing will again team up with the USA Volleyball offering clinics and tournament play.

USAV Florida Regional Championships, East Coast Beach Nationals, USAV Junior Beach Tour Championships with Dig The Beach Juniors Series

The following paragraphs will address the difference in the upcoming juniors events, who qualifies for the each event, and what happens with the Dig the Beach points.

First is the USAV Florida Regional Championships. This event occurs on July 25th in Fort Lauderdale and is open to all of the teams. Anyone can participate in this event. Players that have participated in any or all of the Dig the Beach Juniors events, then they will have accumulated points. The amount of points that a player receives depends on how they finish in each event. The points are computed and that is how the seeding is done for the USAV Florida Regional Championships. If this is the first event, then the player will have no points whatsoever, however, they will still be able to compete at this event.

The next event is the East Coast Beach Nationals and this will be held in Ft. Lauderdale on August 8th. Same as the USAV Florida Regional Championships, anyone is allowed to compete in this event as well. Just as before, the points that each person receives will be how Dig the Beach will do the seeding.

The final event is the USAV Junior Beach Tour Championships. This occurs on August 22nd on Fort Lauderdale Beach. This is NOT a Dig the Beach event, it is sanctioned and operated by the USAV. There will be two divisions. The “Open Division” and the “National Division.” The only teams that will be playing in the “Open Division,” will be the teams that won a bid in the previous events. This means they must have finished first, second, or third in one of the USAV Beach Tour Events around the country. Whereas the “National Division” is open to any teams that want to play that did not qualify for the “Open Division.”

Finally, the importance of the points comes into play at the end of the Dig the Beach Juniors Season after the July 25th event. The top two individuals in each age division that accumulates the most points will be the series champions and they will also receive a complimentary entry into the East Coast Beach Nationals Event. The individuals will also receive an additional complimentary entry into the “National” level of the USAV Junior Beach Tour Championships , a trophy and everlasting glory.

The points are easily accessible to the public at www.digthebeach.com under juniors, and then the points breakdown. Click on the age group and you will be able to find your name. If you should have points and you do not, please email vb@exclusivesports.com.

USA Volleyball (USAV) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of volleyball in the United States and is recognized by the Federation International de Volleyball(FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The vision of the USAV is to be acknowledged as the world leader in volleyball.

Join USA Volleyball Today! *Athletes must be a USAV member for tournament play.

The longest running beach volleyball series in Florida is proud to announce the start of the Junior Beach Volleyball Season May 23, 2010 in Siesta Key. The Dig the Beach Junior Series provides a professional, competitive, and fun atmosphere for everyone involved. Juniors will have the opportunity to participate in all 9 stops along the series, with 6 events highlighting the Junior Division. The 2010 Dig the Beach Junior Series hosts its USA Volleyball Florida Region Junior State Championships July 25 in Fort Lauderdale. The Dig the Beach Junior Series offers the following:

• 6 official Junior Tournaments throughout the state of Florida.
• Point standings. Points will ONLY be accumulated from the 6 specific locations in the series from May-July.
• The best competition around. Junior participants will have the opportunity to play teams from around the state of Florida.
• Free event T-shirt at every location.
• Free clinics the Saturday of tournament weekends from 5-7pm
• Four Junior Age Divisions for Guys and Girls (18, 16, 14, 12).
• A structured tournament atmosphere that provides a lasting impression.
• Pool-play format.
• Discounted hotel rates at all locations.
• A distinguishing website that sets the Dig the Beach Junior Series apart from the competition. Players, Coaches and Parents can log onto the website for the latest on tournament info.
• Better player’s indoor skills- control, passing, vertical jump, footwork, court communication, while having fun in real 2 on 2 games.

Attention parents, player’s, and coaches:

The focus in the junior divisions is to introduce young players to beach volleyball and have fun. We understand the competitive nature often seen in the athletes, spectators, and parents. But the best way for the athletes to learn is by letting them play. The athletes will act as referees for games they are not playing. Coaches and parents will not be permitted to interfere with the game play between points. Please allow the game to continue and save coaching tips for after the games. Coaching is not allowed during play, only during timeouts, side changes and between games. Coaches and parents must not become disruptive or they will be asked to leave the playing area.

Coaching IS allowed ONLY during; timeouts, side changes, and the end of the game. Only CERTIFIED COACHES are permitted to coach. This will be strictly enforced from this moment on! If you are caught coaching when you are not supposed to be you will be warned, and if caught again you will be asked to leave the beach. Once again these rules will be strictly enforced. We want all of our athletes to have a fun and memorable experience, not one filled with controversy. We know that not everyone is doing this, but for the sake of having a fun and successful event for all involved this issue needed to be addressed.