Auckland Grammar School Volleyball Handbook 2015 2016
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Welcome Volleyball has traditionally been a strong sport at Auckland Grammar School. As recently as 2014 the school had a team in the Auckland Premiership. As Master in Charge of Volleyball I am committed to raising the profile and success of the sport at Auckland Grammar School. I believe that with a well organised structure, teams, coaching and finances the school will again rise to achieve at levels higher than we currently achieve. I d hope that in the next year we will again qualify for the Auckland Premiership. Beyond Auckland, our aim is to make the top 16 in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championship and drive deep in to that competition. Ultimately we want to be a contender in the Nationals for a medal placing. Master in Charge of Volleyball. Mr J Smith To achieve this we need to lift our game. We need to practice harder, we need to source and train more coaches, we need a committed parents committee, and we need senior players to mentor and develop younger players. We need commitment to the cause and the team. We need to lift our game. This year, as always, we have more teams and enthusiastic young men than we have capacity to engage them. We need support to fundraise, coach, mentor and transport our young men throughout the season. Please consider how you can support of the volleyball program at Auckland Grammar School. I d like to invite you to engage in this future, to join us, and to get this team to the top of its potential. Jonathan Smith Master in Charge of Volleyball The 2015 2016 season is set to be an exciting one. We have several of our Premier team remaining from last year and a number of decent players in contention to make the squad. Alongside this Premier team I am excited about several new initiatives taking shape across the whole programme. With a consistent approach I can see small changes making large improvements for Volleyball as a sport across the school. Head Coach Dave Mee I look forward to working with players, coaches and parents to ensure that we continue to build at what is an exciting time in the school volleyball programme. Dave Mee Head Coach of Volleyball 3
Auckland Grammar School Volleyball Code of Conduct To get the most out of the sport Auckland Grammar School volleyball players are expected to: Arrive on time for matches and training Give 100% at matches and training Play with focus and a winning attitude Wear the correct uniform to matches Respect the decisions of officials and referees Inform your coach / manager if you can t make the match or training Contact details Mr J Smith Master in Charge of Volleyball G1 j.smith@ags.school.nz Premier Manager Dave Mee Premier Coach davemee@smcevents.co.nz Chairman of parents committee Mr D Martin Manager of Junior Premier B9 d.martin@ags.school.nz Mr J Ford Junior manager P4 j.ford@ags.school.nz Uniform Players are required to bring their own non marking footwear and drink bottle. Further equipment to that depends on the team: Junior B, C, D Junior Premier Senior Colts Senior B & C Premier Auckland Grammar School PE shirt and shorts Grammar provided uniform (yellow) Grammar provided uniform (yellow) Auckland Grammar School PE shirt and shorts Grammar provided uniform (blue) Sign up Sign up for volleyball has three parts: The first is by completing the online form is found at http://tinyurl.com/nvpxf9f Secondly the student needs to return the back page of this booklet with the signature of the parent / caregiver to approve of them playing the sport. Subscription fees (see page 9) need to be paid on Parent Portal. This can take a few days to be loaded in to the system after you register. 4
Captain of Volleyball Each sport at Auckland Grammar School appoints a captain of their sport. The captain of Volleyball for 2015 is JB Mee. Jason has played volleyball for the school since Form 3. In Form 4 he was in the Junior Premier team which finished 9 th at Junior Nationals. As a senior he has played for the Premier team, as a starting 6 player during his 6 th and 7 th form. A tall, athletic player, his role is outside hitter. This involves the power shots, smashing past the opposition. His excellent athletic ability allows him to perform this role superbly. At Auckland Championships he was named in the Tournament Team indicating he was noticed by the organisers as a top player in his position. On and off the court he is a team player and proudly represents the school. Captain of Volleyball 2015 J.B. Mee What is the Senior Colts team? This season we are introducing a new development pathway for our young players. Traditionally a young volleyball player will hit the biggest stages, those of Auckland Championship and National Championship, only in their last year. This is a shame as these two tournaments offer players experience and match hardening like nothing else in the program. Our intention this season is to fast track some of our best young players so that they get to these two tournaments earlier and play under the Colts name. They will be seeded separately to the Premier team and likely play in lower divisions of both tournaments. Most other strong volleyball playing schools in New Zealand use a similar system and we are excited about the potential it will unlock in our young players. Imagine a 7th former in a final, drawing on the experience of their previous 3 4 tournaments, rather than 3 4 matches? Representative Badges Auckland Grammar School acknowledges top players by awarding representative rep badges for those who have played for the school s Premier team. In volleyball a student will be awarded a rep badge in assembly after taking the court in 10 or more matches. Rep badges are awarded in assembly and students cross the stage to collect them. The award of representative badges occurs at the start of Term 2 following the national tournament. New Zealand National Team Trial Students from Auckland Grammar School can trial for the New Zealand team. The trial is traditionally held on the Saturday following the National Championship. Senior players are encouraged to try out but must indicate their interest prior to travelling to nationals. 5
Keep in touch with what is going on Communication is crucial in our sport s success. To stay connected we offer several channels of communication. Email to families (once registered), assembly notices, meetings in G1 and the use of a Facebook group. Students and parents alike are welcome to join our Facebook group; to find us search for the AGS Volleyball group and ask to join. This group has regular updates of draws, match reports and other useful information regarding volleyball. Please get in touch if you are unsure about what is happening by emailing me on j.smith@ags.school.nz Parents committee A parents committee meets 4 5 times per year to help support the on court action of Auckland Grammar School volleyball. In particular parents help fundraise, arrange the nationals trip, arrange and fundraise for the suggested 2016 17 pre season overseas tour and provide input in to how the sport can best be run. Meetings are enjoyable and often involve a light snack and a beverage. If you would like to be involved in the parents committee please contact the Master in Charge directly by email to j.smith@ags.school.nz The Premier team celebrate their 1 st place in the Auckland Championship division 2. 6
Calendar watch the Facebook group and listen to school notices for specific times & dates. Term 2 2015 Term 3 2015 Term 4 2015 Term 1 2016 Sign up for new Form 3 players. (Week 3) Form 3 competition Friday lunchtimes in Sports Centre. (Week 3 9) 5 week Introduction to Volleyball training program. (Week 4 9) New players still welcome to sign up. Form 3 lunchtime competition in Sports Centre. (Week 2 8) Form 4 lunchtime competition in Sports Centre. (Week 2 8) Training sessions start for juniors. (Week 2) Trials and selection of junior teams including Junior Premier. (Week 4) Junior B, C & D teams start playing in weekly Central Zone competition. (Week 8) Junior Premier qualifying tournament (Week 8) Junior Premier weekly competition begins (following qualifying tournament.) Senior trials and selection of wider Premier squad. (Week 1 3) Premier training begins. (Week 1) Grammar Invitational Premier pre season 4 team tournament. (Week 3) Junior competitions finish. (Week 5) Junior Premier compete at Junior Auckland Championship (12 14 November) Junior Premier competes at North Island Junior Volleyball Championship, Wellington. (24 27 November, Activities Week, Week 9) North Island Beach Volleyball competition (28 November) Proposed Pre season Premier Tour to Australia 2016 17. (Week after external exams finish.) Senior competitions begin Premier, Senior B, C and Colts teams. (Approximate start: Week 3) Training continues for all teams (coaches permitting.) Auckland Championships Colts & Premier teams. (Approximate date: 10 12 March 2016) New Zealand Secondary School Championships Colts & Premier teams. (Approximate date: 3 9 May 2016, Stadium Manawatu, Palmerston North.) 7
Major Events Zone Competition Due to our number of teams Auckland Grammar School volleyball plays in two separate Zone competitions, Central and Central/Western. Both junior and senior teams start their seasons in the Zone competitions. Central Zone games are held at Dilworth School gymnasium. Matches are on a Thursday and students are expected to be at the venue by 3:45pm. Students make their own way home at the end of 3 matches; approximately 5:30pm. Central/Western Zone games are held at Kelston Boys High School. Traditionally a strong competition as it includes the best teams from both Central and Western Zone schools. Matches are on a Thursday and students meet at the school vans immediately after the final bell. Students are transported to the venue by van and returned to school at the end of the matches. The final placing of teams in the Zone Competitions influences seeding for Auckland Championships. Auckland Championship Junior The competition is run toward the end of Term 4 and is a focus point for the Junior Premier team. The competition is run over several days within in Auckland region. Final placing in the tournament influences the seeding for Junior North Island Championship. North Island Championship Junior As there is no Junior Nationals, this is the highest level of volleyball in which a junior team can compete. Traditionally the tournament is held at the ASB stadium in Wellington at the very end of Term 4. Auckland Championship Senior An important large event in which the Premier and Colts teams compete. This is a large competition with 80+ teams enter. The competition is run over 3 days near the middle of Term 1, with pool games sorting teams before a knockout stage. Final placing at the Auckland Championships influences seeding for national tournaments. New Zealand Secondary School Volleyball Nationals The highest level of volleyball in secondary school volleyball. Our Premier and Colts teams enter the event yearly. This event has the 2 nd largest national tournament in the school calendar with 150+ teams entering. The competition is run over 5 days at the end of Term 1, with two rounds of pool matches followed by a quarters semi s finals. Traditionally the competition is held in Palmerston North. 8
Schedule of costs Attached is a schedule of costs for the season. Some of these change depending on the level of participation and/or fundraising. This is, however, the best guess at time of printing. Junior Registration $20 Lunchtime competition per term $10 Coaching sessions Central Zone entry fee Junior Premier Registration $20 Coaching sessions Central/Western Zone entry fee Junior Auckland Championship $30 Junior Nationals Wellington $400 (approximate*) Senior Registration $20 Central Zone entry fee Colts Registration $20 Central Zone entry fee Coaching sessions Auckland Championships entry fee $30 National Championship Palmerston North $450 $600 (approximate*) Premier Registration $20 Central/West Zone entry fee Coaching sessions Pre season Premier Tour to Australia (2017) $750 (approximate*) Auckland Championships entry fee $30 National Championship Palmerston North $450 $600 (approximate*) * Fundraising is essential to lower the cost of these week long trips. Parent support for this fundraising is both necessary and important. ** Where possible within the constraints of coaching staff. All payments can be made through the school s Parent Portal system. To find out more about this system please contact the school office and ask for their advice. This is the same system that is used for other school payments such as school fees. Unfortunately we are unable to allow players to continue playing if they do not pay their registration fees. If you are in need of consideration for a hardship allowance please contact me directly by email to j.smith@ags.school.nz Likewise you can contact Grant Hansen, Director of Sport at Auckland Grammar School on g.hansen@ags.school.nz as he is in charge of the hardship fund for sport. 9
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Volleyball Sign Up Form: Student Name: Student Class: Complete the boxes (tick/cross to complete) I have signed up my son online at http://tinyurl.com/nvpxf9f I understand that I will be charged involvement in volleyball as explained in the schedule of costs. (page 9) I would like to be involved in the parents committee please get in touch. I have a fundraising idea please get in touch. My son and I have discussed the code of conduct on page Signed: Name of person signing: Relationship to participant:: Please return this form to Mr Smith in the Geography office (top floor specialist block beside G4). If he is not there ask politely if the form can be placed in his pigeonhole. Watch the Facebook page, listen in assembly and check for emails to keep in touch with what is going on with your sport. 11
Auckland Grammar School Volleyball would like to thank New World Remuera for their continued generous support of our Premier Team Nationals trip. (Please shop there and tell them we told you to!) 12