Middle School Volleyball Post-season Meeting Minutes

December 12 , 2006

1. Attendees
Chris Lowe, Muriel Clayton
Brad Walls, Kathyrn
Lawrence Lee, Mitford
Wes Clark, Meadowbrook
John Holstein, Bearspaw
Gary Lantz, Springbank
Glenn Johnston, Manachaban
Josh Hill, Langdon

Regrets:
Colleen Murphy, WG Murdoch
Lani Loewen, Langdon
Judy O'Gorman, Westbrook
Michelle Perras & Trevor Hanlan, Ralph McCall

Absent:
Banded Peak
Ecole Airdrie
Chestermere Lake

2. Commissioner's Report
Thank you to Lawrence Lee. Lawrence thought the Jr. A season ran smoother this year with the new format and decisive rankings. For the most part, facilities were sufficient but schools need to accommodate spectators. The secondary host host asssingments worked well.

3. Jr. B Season Review
Coaches noted there wasn't much difference between the way some officials called Jr. A Tier 2 and Jr. B. Also raised was the issue of cheering and jeering after each point, which is not appropriate for the Jr. B level of play. These comments led to a general discussion about sportsmanship at the Jr. A and B levels.

4. Jr. A Season Review
A few of the coaches were disappointed with the level of play in Tier 2 and described the play as "ping pong" volleyball. The group discussed the purpose of Jr. A volleyball and agreed that it was developmental not just at the Tier 1 level but also at Tier 2. The season was discouraging for some coaches in that some schools didn't even try for three hits. Coaches then looked at was to improve the standard of play in our league, including taking the issue to principals. But with the difficulty of finding people to coach, the group thought this might be a bit heavy handed. JM suggested better communication from the sports coordinator's office. Action: JM to bring forward to pre-season meeting where we can talk about expectations. JM to also write a welcome letter to all coaches at the beginning of the season. The letter can also lay out expectations for the various levels of volleyball.

5. Venues
update on Muriel Clayton's gym: new gym should be ready by mid-March. Muriel Clayton will then be able to host two volleyball courts in two gyms.

6. Officials
Coaches agreed that Jr. A officials were consistent. Regarding minor officials, it is the responsibility of the host school to provide scorekeepers. However, because the same schools host and carry the burden of finding and training people, visiting teams should also have someone available to step in. There should be two people scorekeeping (one flipping and the other working the scoreboard). One suggestion was to award phys. ed. hours to students who scorekeep.

7. Supervision
Coaches agreed that the secondary host assignments worked.

9. 2007-08 Season
Bring forward to pre-season meeting: Jr. B participation increase. Like this past season, we may need to alter the Jr. B format to accommodate the increasing number of teams.

10. Pre-season Meeting
September 25, 2007

11. Other
a. Action: JM to make the following Handbook updates:
i. Net Height - round up
ii. Service line - check Gr. 6 Volleyball
iii. Replace Canadian Volleyball Assocation with Volleyball Canada
b. Rule Changes
Motion: Wes Clark, Meadowbrook, moved that we omit #1(A ball may be played with the foot either intentionally or unintentionally) from the Jr. A Volleyball Rule Modifications. Lawrence Lee from Mitford, seconded the motion. Motion passed: 7 in favour, 0 against.
c. Action: JM to check on policy governing whether or not staff/teacher sponsors need to travel with the team.