IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLUB MEMBERS


It is our responsibility to teach the game of volleyball to your daughter to the very best of our ability. We want her to understand the game and develop her skills in order to have success in our Club, on her school team and in college. Your daughter controls the amount of success she has at each practice. Every girl has an equal opportunity to benefit from the knowledge of our coaches. Therefore, it is very important for your daughter to have a good work ethic and come to practice with a positive attitude.

Our expectations of Gulf Coast Players:

  • Commitment:  It is vital to be committed to our program.  If you REALLY don't want to be a part of our Club, don't join just because your friends are.  If you work hard at practice, scrimmages and matches, you more than likely will have a successful season.  Committed players will have no respect for you if you are coming to practice just to socialize.

  • Regular Attendance:  We know that all players cannot be at every practice.  Exams and other activities sometimes must take priority.  However, it is very important that you attend as many practices as possible.  You must notify your coach or the Gulf Coast Office (785-1304 or gcjvb2@tampabay.rr.com) if you will be absent from any practice or tournament. 

  • Respect for Rules of Our Club:  Our rules are clearly stated and strictly enforced.  Please keep a copy of the Athlete's Code of Conduct, which each participant has to sign, for your files.

  • Court Demeanor:  Players should be attentive and enthusiastic on and off the court.  Most of the time, players are not aware when a college coach is watching.  You can make or break your recruiting chances by the conduct the college recruiters observe. 

  • Maintain Good Grades:  Even though not all players are trying to earn a college scholarship, it is our desire that you consider yourselves scholar-athletes and strive for the best possible performance in school.

Our expectations of Gulf Coast Parents:

  • Please Respect the Decisions Made by the Coaching Staff:  We realize everyone wants to play all of the time.  We understand the frustration of the players when they feel they aren't getting enough playing time.  Please help us assure your daughter that we are all working toward the same goal and that she will continue to learn whether she is on the court or waiting to play.

  • Deliver and pick up players to practice and tournaments on time.

  • Please Assist with Transportation of Players to and from Events:  Gulf Coast Jrs. does not allow players, who are old enough to drive, to drive to events.  If someone needs a ride, they should advise their coach and call the Gulf Coast Jrs. Office at 785-1304 or email: gcjvb2@tampabay.rr.com so we can assist with car pool arrangements.

  • Please Watch your Daughter when she Competes:  Even though she may not let you know, she will be glad that you are there to cheer the team.  Be supportive of her.  Please don't judge her, the coach or her teammate's performance.

  • Pay Tuition and Travel Costs on Time:  Please pay tuition according to the payment schedule and travel costs for travel team players by the deadline date.  Your daughter will not be allowed to continue practices or go to tournaments until your account is current.

  • Be a Positive Role Model for your Player:  Please don't approach a coach with complaints after a match.  It would be appreciated if you and your daughter would follow our guidelines for grievances as shown on Page 9 or our Orientation Booklet. 


The following rules are STRICTLY enforced:

1.  Players must reflect good sportsmanship on and off the court.
2.  It is our responsibility to make sure that players are safe while at tournaments.  Therefore, players should NEVER go anywhere by themselves and players should never be in a hotel room by themselves. If you are walking around the hotel or the tournament site, you should always have someone with you.  If anyone is seen walking around anywhere by themselves, disciplinary action will be taken.  
3.  Players MUST tell a coach if they are leaving their room. It is crucial for us to know where every girl is at all times.
4.  Players should demonstrate good self-control and respect the other guests in the hotel.
5.  Strict curfew times are enforced, with no exceptions. Everyone must be in their rooms by the curfew time, which is normally 10:00 p.m. If you choose to leave your room after curfew, you are choosing not to play in the tournament, and you could face other disciplinary action, as well.
6.  If a player is found to be in possession of any banned substance (illegal drugs, alcohol, inhalants, smoking materials or any tobacco products, prescription or non-prescription drugs) her membership in our Club will be terminated immediately.  If your daughter requires any type of medication, the coach should be notified.
7.  Players, who are aware of another player or players being in possession of a banned substance, or players who are doing something that is in violation of our rules, should tell a coach or a parent immediately.  Not doing so will result in disciplinary action for that player, as well.

Failure to abide by any of these rules will result in strict disciplinary action.
GCJVC reserves the right to add to these rules as the situation demands.

Food and Beverages:

Coolers can be brought to the playing site; however, players may not take them into the gymnasium. Be sure to put your name on the cooler since you will have to leave it unattended. If you send food with your daughter, we suggest that you choose nutritious foods such as turkey sandwiches, veggies, fruit and non-carbonated beverages or water. Bagels are also a good choice.

Work with your team and your coach to coordinate meals and snacks. Sometimes (but don't depend on it unless your coach tells you otherwise) players are able to purchase food on-site or have parents run out to get something, in which case they should bring money. It is tremendously helpful if parents volunteer to take orders for sandwiches, beverages, etc.

Guide for parents helping with food orders:
1. These parent volunteers should find out from the coach what their teams playing schedule will be (play, sit, ref, play, play, etc.) prior to beginning the tournament so you will know approximately what time you will have to leave to pick up the food order in order to have it at the gym when the girls have a break.
2. Find out which girls will need to get something to eat. Make a list of what kind of sandwich each girl wants. Don't forget the coach!
3. COLLECT MONEY FROM EACH PLAYER WHO ORDERS SOMETHING.
4. Find out where the nearest sandwich shop is located. It helps if you can call the sandwich shop with your order so they can have the sandwiches ready when you get there. Be sure to have them put each girls name on the paper that wraps the sandwich. Most sandwich shops will accommodate this request.
5. Sometimes there will be concession stands at the playing sites, which would eliminate the need for parents to make a "food run". If the concession doesn’t offer nutritious food, it would be better for parents to pick up sandwiches.

Room Assignments:

Hotel reservations for the players and coaches will be made by Kathie Bekker, my office assistant.

A "block" of rooms is usually reserved for parents, as well. You will receive information via email telling you details about the hotel and when the deadline is to call to make your reservations. In order to get the group rate, you should always tell the reservationist you are with Gulf Coast Juniors Volleyball Club.

Players will receive their room assignments upon their arrival at the hotel. Room assignments will not be changed, so please do not ask for your room to be changed in order to be with a friend.

For obvious safety reasons, we always reserve hotels that have interior corridors.

Coaches will monitor the hallways. We ask parents to help with monitoring hallways after the 10:00 p.m. curfew. Please let a coach know if you are willing to help.



If you have any questions, please call Ken at 941-723-9125 or Kathie at 727-785-1304.


"We are a member club of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball. As a player you may stop any unwanted contact from a club representative by simply asking (either verbally or in writing) that all contact cease. Any player believing a club representative of any Florida Region volleyball club has been intimidating, harassing, or acted inappropriately in any manner of contact or recruitment should contact the Florida Region office at (352) 742-0080."