Home » 🗞️ Welcome Back Message (Members & Tryout Athletes) 🗞️

🗞️ Welcome Back Message (Members & Tryout Athletes) 🗞️

Welcome Back, Mavericks! 

Hi everyone, 

Tryouts are almost here, and we’re excited to kick off another season with you! 

Before things get underway, we wanted to share a few updates about what’s new at Maverick Volleyball this year — and some of the ways we’re continuing to invest in the experience we provide our athletes, coaches and families. 

Below, you’ll find updates on our training programs, coaching investments, uniforms and jersey distribution, community initiatives, and upcoming events. 

The Maverick Way 

At Maverick Volleyball, we believe in developing exceptional people through volleyball. 

The Maverick Way is the set of behaviours we see in successful Mavericks: being prepared, on-time, inspirational, present, brave, respectful, reflective, thankful and patient. 

This year, we’re expanding The Maverick Way across more of our programs, giving athletes and coaches a shared language for the culture we’re building together — both on and off the court. 

Investing in Coaching 

Great coaching is at the heart of a great athlete experience. 

This year, we’re investing further in our coaches by creating a new department dedicated to coach development and support. Its focus will be helping us continue to attract, develop and retain outstanding coaches across every Maverick program. 

We’re currently interviewing candidates to lead the department and hope to have someone in place by the end of September.  In the interim, John Nguyen has stepped into the role. 

What’s New This Season 

Regional Training Centre (RTC):  

The RTC is transitioning to a full-season program. Athletes selected in September will stay with the program through April, giving coaches and athletes more time to build relationships, develop skills and grow together as a year-long squad. 

Now that the RTC is a full-season program, we will no longer form Provincial teams midway through the season as we have in previous years. 

Athletes interested in joining a competitive program after the RTC has been formed are encouraged to register for our new CTC program (details below). 

An important note for tryouts: please tell the coaches what level of team you hope to join. If you are not interested in playing at the National or Provincial level, let the coach know on-site so we do not hold a spot for you. Declining an offer later can affect other athletes and delay the process, so confirming your preferences early helps tryouts run smoothly for everyone. 

New Community Training Centre (CTC) 

We’re launching the CTC in January, creating a new level between our Youth/Teen Skills programs and the RTC. It will offer a training and gameplay environment similar to the RTC — without a tryout requirement — opening up more opportunities for athletes to play, develop and enjoy the game. 

Round Up Training Camp 

Save the date! Our second Round Up Training Camp takes place September 26–27 for 13U and 14U National and Provincial athletes. The weekend will include club and cohort activities, team training, team building and parent meetings. More details to follow shortly. 

New Uniform Supplier 

After a thorough review this summer — including proposals from nine suppliers and feedback from athletes, coaches and parents — we’re excited to announce Under Armour as Maverick’s new uniform and apparel supplier! 

When we asked athletes and parents what mattered most in a uniform, the message came through loud and clear: quality and fit. After evaluating the options, Under Armour provided the best combination of quality, fit and fair pricing. 

Changing uniform suppliers is not a decision we take lightly. We recognize that it creates costs for families and requires a significant investment of time by club staff to manage the transition.  

We also recognize that, for our returning 18U athletes, purchasing a new uniform for what may be their final season with the Mavericks can feel particularly significant. 

We understand the impact of this change, particularly for returning 18U athletes and their families. Their circumstances have been an important consideration throughout the process, and we are exploring options to reduce the financial burden for this group. We appreciate your understanding and hope the improvements in quality, fit and the overall uniform experience will make the transition worthwhile. 

A Change to Jersey Numbers 

When Maverick Volleyball started in 1985, we were generally able to provide athletes with the right size uniform and, in most cases, their preferred jersey number. Over time, that created an understandable expectation that athletes could choose, or continue with, their number. 

With more than 700 competitive athletes today, this process has become considerably more complex.  Matching individual sizes and preferred numbers while meeting ordering and delivery deadlines has become an enormous administrative challenge. It can also add costs and despite everyone’s best efforts, can sometimes result in conflicts or disappointments. 

As part of the transition to our new uniform supplier, we are taking the opportunity to simplify the process and create a more consistent approach to jersey distribution. 

Our approach this season 

We recognize that changing jerseys and jersey numbers can have a greater impact on our returning 18U athletes, particularly those entering their final year with Maverick Volleyball. Many have developed a connection to the number they have worn throughout their time with the club, and we understand that this can carry meaning beyond simply what appears on the back of a jersey. 

For returning 18U athletes, the club is making efforts to maintain their jersey number from previous seasons where reasonably possible. While we cannot guarantee that every athlete will be able to retain their previous number, we’re making efforts to do so, recognizing the significance this may have for athletes in their final year with the organization. 

For all other teams, coaches will receive a selection of uniforms in the sizes required for their athletes, along with some additional sizing flexibility. Coaches will then distribute the jerseys to their team. We recommend giving consideration to seniority within the club, but coaches may use the approach that works best for their team. 

More Than a Number 

We know that a jersey number can be meaningful. It may be a number an athlete has worn for years, a number connected to a special memory, or simply a number they feel represents them. 

At the same time, we see this transition as an opportunity to reinforce something we believe is even more important: 

The number on the back of the jersey isn’t what makes a Maverick. 

What matters is how you play, how hard you work, how you support your teammates, and how you respond when things don’t go exactly the way you hoped. 

It’s the effort you bring to practice, the way you celebrate your teammates, the resilience you show when things get difficult, and the character you demonstrate both on and off the court. 

As coaches, parents and club staff, we have an opportunity to reinforce that message. A jersey number can be special.  We understand that.  But ultimately the person wearing it, and what they bring to their team, is what makes it meaningful. 

We hope this season in a Maverick jersey is defined not by the number on the back, but by the memories they create, the teammates beside them, and the legacy they leave within our club. 

Giving Back: The Maverick Youth Opportunity Fund 

Being thankful and giving back are important parts of The Maverick Way. 

Through the Maverick Youth Opportunity Fund (MYOF), our community helps young people facing financial barriers access recreational and competitive volleyball opportunities. 

This year, MYOF is also creating more opportunities for Maverick teams to give back through community service — from volunteering with youth programs to community clean-ups. It’s another way for our athletes to build stronger teams while making a difference beyond the volleyball court. 

Events & Volunteering 

We’re excited to welcome Terry Ngo as our new Events Lead this year! 

Terry is also building our volunteer team, so if you or someone you know would be a great fit, please reach out to her at therese@maverickvolleyball.ca. 

And keep an eye out this fall as we transform Mavs Night into an all-new Media Day. More details are coming soon! 

Looking Ahead 

There’s a lot happening at Maverick this season, but it all comes back to one goal: creating an exceptional experience for our athletes, coaches and families. 

Whether it’s investing in better coaching, expanding opportunities to play, strengthening The Maverick Way, improving our uniforms or finding new ways to give back, we want Mavericks to be a place where young people become better athletes, better teammates and exceptional people. 

Thank you for being part of the Maverick community. We’re looking forward to another great season together. 

Go Mavs! 

Greg Skotnicki
Executive Director
Maverick Volleyball