SOUTH WEST VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION

JUNIOR EVENTS

A Guide for Organisers

 PLANNING

 1. In order to advertise in time for teams to respond, dates for events need to be organised for the whole winter season as soon as possible after the summer break.. The dates of summer events need to be decided before Easter

 2. Events can be advertised through the 'South West Junior Forum' and 'Time Out' as well as other chosen means.

 3.The date of an event should be cleared with the Junior Development Officer to avoid clashes on the Junior Calendar.

 FINANCE

 1.South West Volleyball Association events need to be self financing.

 2.There may be grants available for certain events. This can be checked with the SW Competitions Secretary and SW Treasurer. 

ENTRIES

 1. Age Groups. To play in an Under 12 event, the competitor needs to have been under 12 years old on August 31st of the school year in which they become 12. Usually an Under 12 player would be in year 7. The same logic applies to the other age groups.

 2. In championship events, players may enter events at more than one age group: so that under 12's could also play at under 13 and so on....... but only when these events are held on different occasions.

 3. In championship events, teams should consist of players who normally play with those clubs/schools.

 4. All teams taking part in South West Events must be affiliated to the EVA.

RULES OF PLAY

 1. South West Volleyball Association events play by the EVA rules of play unless otherwise stated.

 2. Tournaments may be run with timed matches or sets. The organiser of the event is free to chose. In the case of an official event the format should be decided in liaison with the J.D.O.

 3. The format of events should be publicised in advance of the event.

 4. Catch Push may be allowed but not in South West Championship events. Where catch push is allowed, state this on the entry sheet.

 5. The court sizes should follow the EVA guidelines where possible.

 6. Playing the ball with the legs or feet is a fault in Under 14, events and younger.

 7. Where badminton courts are used tape a centre line on the floor. This is to help to avoid accidents caused penetration under the net.

 8. In timed events it is preferable to stop play when the hooter sounds and end on the previous score.

EVENTS

 1. Junior Grand Prix Events ( U11-U14 ) are played as 3 v 3 Games on Badminton Courts. Under 11’s and 12’s play using the inside lines and are allowed to step into court on serving. Other age groups play on a full size badminton court. These court sizes make running the tournaments simpler and may not be everyone’s choice.

 2. A useful format for  Under 12 novices is to play 2 v 2 on very small courts.

 3. Nets should be high for junior events.

EVA recommended sizes

 Age              Teams                  Court Size             Net Height

 U9               1 v 1                     6m x 3m                2.15m

U10             2 v 2                     6m x 4.5m             2.15m

U11             2 v 2                     6m x 4.5m             2.15m

U12             3 v 3                      12m x 5m               2.15m

U13             3 v 3                      12m x 6m               2.15m

ORGANISATION

 1. To avoid confusion, it helps to have a system whereby a score slip is filled in at the end of every game. The score slip should be signed by both team captains. It is usual for the winning team captain to then take the slip to the score table. If there are any disagreements the tournament organiser should be notified at this time. Write the details of the dispute on the back of the score slip. The decision of the tournament organiser is final.

 2.After the event, send an event report  to the editor of Time Out and the EVA Junior Newsletter for publication.

 3.When writing entry forms remember to include the closing date, to whom cheques should be paid, the competition date and starting and ending times, the venue, the age groups and divisions, the cost, the name and address to which the forms should be returned. Ask for organiser details and a home and work phone number.

SAFETY

 1.The following items should be clearly available at every South West Junior Event.

First Aid Kit

Phone

Ice Packs or similar

Drinking water

 2.There should be a person with up to date First Aid Training present.

 3.Print the phone number and address of the venue on the entry form so that it can be given to the competitors by their team organiser.

 4.Referees must bring their own whistles. In events where teams take turns at refereeing a reminder about this should be added to the pre tournament information.

 5.Players who are  Under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

 6.Give clear instructions about the stowage of bags and personal property so that the playing areas are kept safe.

BALLS

 1.The choice of balls for a competition is the choice of the tournament organiser. The most common choices are:

 Leather balls at under 15 years

Lightweight  balls at under 13 and under 14 years

Butterfly or other very light balls for the younger age groups.

 Players are not allowed to change the ball choice of the tournament organiser.

Where there is no specified choice and teams are in disagreement the lighter weight balls will be used. Players are not allowed to make these choices without an adult from both teams being present.

 OFFICIALS

 1.Young people often referee junior events. Teams should ensure that any young person refereeing or scoring is competent. Ideally, young people should hold at least the EVA Junior Referees Award.

 2. Young people should not referee the finals of Championship events unless they hold at least the EVA Junior Referees Award.

PHOTOGRAPHS

 Anyone wishing to take photographs at SW Junior Events must make themselves known to the event organiser before taking any photographs.

 Photographs may be taken during South West Events and published in the volleyball press and media . For this reason teams should be informed of this on the entry form.

 Ros Sutherland