Tryouts – September

In order to participate in tryouts, athletes must complete the following 2-step registration process:

1) Register with Maverick Volleyball Club (pay the tryout fee).

• Registration is completed through LeagueApps. The registration links for BOYS and GIRLS will be found here.
• Links will be posted on our website, as well as communicated via email and Social Media.
• All athletes should sign up for their true age category based on their birth year (see chart below). Athletes wishing to play up or down, please read that link.

Tryout registration opened on July 20th and regular registration (higher fee) began August 11th, 2025.

2) Register with the OVA in their MRS system (all players, every year, for insurance purposes).

• OVA MRS registration opens on Sept 1st.
  – You MUST wait until Sept 1st to complete this step. The OVA resets their system each year, therefore if you try to register before this date it will be lost and you’ll need to do it again.
• If you already have an account, use the same login information.
• Register each athlete using the athlete’s name (NOT the parent’s name), as a ‘Tryout Player’ for the ‘2024-25 season’ – there is NO cost to register as a tryout player.
• In order to complete the MRS tryout player registration, you will be required to read and acknowledge various policies and disclaimers.
• Proof of MRS registration must be shown at a registration event (see screen shot, which shows the athlete’s name, and indicates they are registered as a tryout player).
• If you have multiple children, they will each need a different email as their login – the one exception is: if you use a gmail account, you can register multiple family members by adding +1, +2, etc., to the username (eg. Username+1@gmail.com). You can use a parent email, but must ensure you set the account information up with the athlete’s name.
• Here is the link to the MRS System: https://mrs.ontariovolleyball.org/Account/Login .

Do NOT register any athlete with Mavericks more than once. Tryouts for different program levels are covered under the same Maverick registration. Sign up for the age division shown in the Age Divisions section below.

Age Categories – 2025-2026 season

All athletes should sign up for their true age category based on their birth year

11U – born in 2015
12U – born in 2014
13U – born in 2013
14U – born in 2012
15U – born in 2011
16U – born in 2010
17U – born in 2009
18U* – born in 2008

*19U athletes born in 2007 are eligible to compete at the 18U level provided they are not a part of any OCAA, OUA, U-Sport, CCAA, etc. volleyball team for the 2025-2026 season.

All athletes should sign up for their true age category based on their birth year (see full program overview). If the evaluators of an athlete’s age group deem it appropriate for an athlete to either play up or play down (if an athlete is born in the last 4 months of the year), they will discuss it with the evaluators of the other age group. If the consensus is that it is appropriate for an athlete to play up or down, the evaluators will have a conversation with the parents and the athlete to explain their reasoning and what other options are available. Ultimately, it is up to the athlete and parents to decide what option they would like to go with.

Note that only the evaluators of the true age group can initiate the process of discussing an athlete playing up or down.

There will be multiple tryout sessions for each age group and gender, and the athletes should attend all sessions for their age group to make sure they are properly evaluated.

For a full evaluation, athletes should attend all tryout sessions for their age group. Remember, teams are selected based on the results of these tryouts.

The selection process will include an assessment of various elements such as:

• physical testing;
• skill assessments;
• game situation assessments (14U-18U only).

Should your athlete be injured in advance of (or during) tryouts, and be unable to fully participate during the tryout period:

1. First, all contenders must be registered for tryouts (even if pre-injured);
2. Registered contenders can reach out to info@maverickvolleyball.ca to explain their situation.

Reasonable accommodations can then be made, which could include using data from previous years, attending alternate sessions, or using information from previous coaches.

We encourage athletes to try out for more than one club to ensure they choose the best fit for their needs. However, the same OVA tryout window is for all clubs province-wide, so there will always be conflicts. More details related to conflicts, and how to resolve them, can be found in the Parent Handbook.

Offers (from Maverick)

Program Coordinators begin to email offers after completion of all assessment tryouts for that age group (see schedule for offer dates). Every participant will receive an email with an offer for the best level we can offer at this time, be it a National- or Provincial-level competitive team, the Regional Training Centre, a “Game-On” recreational group, or our “Practice and Play” recreational game training program. These level offers and recommendations are based on available positions combined with skill levels demonstrated during tryouts.

After making a competitive-level offer, the club will hold that position for 24 hours before offering the position to another player.

Responses (from athlete families)

Guardians/athletes have a response window of 24 hours in which to accept (or reject) before the club can offer that position to another player. Acceptances can be sent later, but there is no guarantee the position will still be available. Acceptances must be accompanied by a $475 deposit towards team fees. If you know you will not be accepting, please let us know as soon as possible for the sake of other players awaiting the opportunity to play.

Schools do not finalize agreements until the school year has commenced, so we cannot know for certain where and when each team will be practicing until late September.

After National and Provincial level teams are set, families will meet with their coaches to discuss tournament options and team budgets, practice dates and time, etc. Fees vary depending on the choices made by each team group. At this meeting, parents will be asked to volunteer for key functions to help the team mechanisms run smoothly. Full payment instructions will be sent to families selected to teams.

Families joining a Regional Training Centre (RTC) will be informed of practice times and locations. Fees are set in advance and are all-inclusive. RTC players will be divided into competition squads after the 4th week of training.

All athletes are sized for uniforms to speed up the ordering process after teams are selected. Being sized does not mean a player has been selected for any program – it does mean they will get a uniform that fits in time for competitions.

It is the responsibility of individual families to make arrangements to get sized at one of the Check-in events. Not being “sized” risks getting a uniform that does not fit, and extra charges and delay to make a change.

Our coaches will put each athlete through a series of tests and measurements of physical attributes and abilities, and enter all data into the assessment app. These include current height, standing reach, spike touch, block touch, speed and agility tests.

Athletes participate in drills that highlight specific key skills. The number on their tryout bibs allow multiple coaches to enter data in the assessment app. It takes time to assess each athlete, but we have multiple coaches tasked with scoring athletes for every different skill drill. We have a digital app for scoring, so you will see most coaches entering on their phones during drills (some use paper and enter scores later).

• Basic technical skills include agility, med ball toss, spike & block touch.
• Athletes will be ranked (RTC, Prov, Nat’l) or released (LTP or Rec)

Scrimmage sessions (for ranked 14U-18U athletes only) include game-play to assess game awareness and player interaction.

• Ranked athletes scrimmage to determine team selections.
• Released athletes receive a recommendation for LTP or Recreational programs.

The Club begins to offer positions after completion of all assessment tryouts for that age group. These offer letters go out by email, so make sure all emails entered on your registration are valid and checked regularly – check your junk folder too.

NOTE: To ensure your offer is received, it is critical that families provide an email address that you check regularly, and that you include info@maverickvolleyball.ca in your contact list so we can reach you without it going into your junk folder. This email protocol is also important for payment and communication requirements later on.

Families accepting Prov or Nat’l offers must pay the deposit and then choose a payment plan and arrange payment information if monthly invoicing is the choice. Payment instructions will be sent to athletes selected to teams.

Families accepting Regional offers must pay the deposit and arrange payment information for the balance. Payment instructions will be sent to athletes selected to the RTC.

Athletes who receive a recommendation of Learn-to-Play or Recreational can register for a program of their choice (based on availability), or make arrangements to attend the program they already registered for as a backup plan. Please note, these programs fill up quickly and a spot is not guaranteed until registration is processed.

Provincial and National-level fees vary by team and are determined based on factors that are specific to each team (such as how many and which tournaments the team chooses to compete in). Parent groups can influence the number of tournaments and other expenses in conjunction with their coach. Families can choose between instalment payments or payment in full, however, all fees must be paid in full before the regular season ends (before Provincials).

For specific details go to the competitive program page, select your level, and scroll to the How it Works & Fee Structure within that section.

Regional fees are a set rate and can be paid in two installments if you wish (deposit upon acceptance, and final a month later). Delays in submitting the 2nd payment will result in a pause in attendance until final payment is received. A $50 refundable jersey deposit will be returned upon receipt of the numbered game jersey at the end of the season (December for RTC1 and May for RTC2).

For specific details on RTC fees, go to the competitive program page, select “Regional-level Training Centres”, and scroll to the How it Works & Fee Structure within that section.

Those who are not selected for a national-level competitive team still have many good options in either the competitive or recreational stream.

1. Athletes may be offered a position on a Provincial-level team that competes in OVA tournaments. There is significant travel required at this level (mostly Toronto and surrounding area).
2. Or they may be offered a position in the Regional Training Centre for 12 weeks of additional training and competition. There is minimal travel (no mandatory overnight stays). At the end of the 12 weeks, a few of those players may be selected to form additional Provincial-level teams that compete in OVA tournaments from January through April.
3. Athletes may be encouraged to sign up for a variety of Recreational programs at varying skill levels, and with a range of coaching. Some programs focus more on learning and skill development, others have more game play – but all include some amount of coaching, and lots of fun! Recreational programs do not require any tryouts, just sign up and play once a week! Read about our Safety Net commitment below.
4. We also have many levels of Learn-to-Play programs for beginner and intermediate players who simply love activity-based fun!

Safety Net. Those who are not selected for a National, Provincial or Regional program, are not guaranteed any spots in our Learn-to-Play (LTP) or Recreational (Rec) division, as those programs typically fill up quickly. If the athlete is passionate about continuing at any level, we recommend registering in advance for an upcoming  LTP or Rec program as well as for tryouts. After tryouts, if the athlete gets an offer for a regional, provincial or national group, please contact us asap to cancel the LTP/Rec program and transfer those funds to your Competitive team account.

All athletes are expected to attend all required sessions during the tryout window. However, if you have an unavoidable conflict – especially due to trying out for multiple clubs – please contact us as soon as possible. We will notify the head coaches of your cohort and explore whether any accommodations can be made.

While the short tryout window does not allow for additional sessions to be scheduled, our evaluation process is designed so that athletes are not penalized for missing a session. Scores from the sessions you do attend will still be fully considered.

If you have an injury that prevents you from fully participating in the physical testing or on-court assessments during the tryout window, please contact us as soon as possible. Depending on your situation, we will consider various accommodations to help ensure a fair tryout process for all athletes. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Using scores from previous tryouts or evaluations
• Connecting with former coaches for feedback based on past experience
• Reviewing a volleyball résumé to assess experience and competencies

Please note that injured athletes who wish to be considered during tryouts must still:

1. Register for tryouts
2. Check in at a designated Check-in Event as usual.
3. Complete uniform sizing
4. Collect their bib number and t-shirt

In cases where an injury only partially limits participation, athletes are expected to complete all components that they are physically able to do.

Anyone who missed September tryouts may be invited to join the Regional Training Centre (if those groups are not full by then), or can tryout for the next Regional Centre in January.

On very rare occasions, an exception can be made if a competitive team is low in a certain position. In such a case, the Club may decide to do a late assessment. Contact info@maverickvolleyball.ca to discuss.

Another set of tryouts, for the Regional Training Centre only, will take place in January for February to May competitive training.

The Maverick Competitive Teams are for athletes whose skill and commitment levels allow them to play the sport at a highly competition level – with significant travel, multiple tournaments, and possibly supplemental training. Additional local and regional tournaments may be added.

The Regional Training Centre (RTC) was designed to train athletes who need more training to compete at a Provincial level, or who are less inclined to travel or to commit to the time-requirements of such competition.

The Maverick National-level program is geared for a progression to varsity post-secondary recruitment. The program aims to maximize each athlete’s individual potential through the addition of supplemental practice and training methodologies (such as nutrition, mental and strength/agility training), and creating team fortitude and cohesion. National teams compete more often, sometimes both inter-provincially and internationally. A higher level of time commitment is required than for our Provincial-level teams. Athletes must learn to manage practice time and schoolwork to ensure their marks allow them to be selected for a post-secondary university or college. All National-level teams are expected to compete at OVA’s Ontario Championships and at Volleyball Canada’s National Championships.

Any athlete not selected to a National-level team will be encouraged to continue tryouts as they will be considered for the Provincial-level stream, the Regional-level training (RTC) stream, or possibly the Recreational or Learn-to-Play streams. All outcomes are covered by one tryout period (numerous sessions). It should be noted that neither learn-to-play nor recreational require tryouts, but it can be an interesting learning experience and to assess future expectations.

Athletes selected to the Training Centre will train and compete within the region (2-hour maximum travel to a tournament) until mid-December.

In December, the top athletes from those who are interested in a “next-level” volleyball experience, may receive an offer of a position on a new Provincial-level competitive team. These new teams will compete in OVA-sanctioned events and will compete at the Ontario Championships. Athletes who are not selected to move up have the option of attending January tryouts for the second Training Centre which starts in February and runs until early May (24 sessions, interrupted by March Break and Easter).

For Provincial- and National-level teams, the basic competition season starts in October and ends in April (Provincials) or in May (for those who attend Nationals). Once teams are formed, they can start to book practice times. Most teams play up to six OVA tournaments over the season (1-day events) plus Provincial and/or Nationals (2- or 3-day events). Team budgets are decided by each team (budget is drafted by the coach following consultation with the parents). Rosters must be finalized by the end of January. More information will be available once teams have been selected. If you have any further questions, please send an email to info@maverickvolleyball.ca.

Players who are selected for a spot in the Fall Regional Training Centre (RTC) will train and play for 12 weeks (24 sessions) from October until mid-December. Coaches can then offer spots on new provincial-level teams that will compete in OVA-sanctioned events across Ontario (mostly Toronto area). Those who are not selected for these new teams, or who do not wish to travel so much, are encouraged to continue in the 12-week Winter RTC program (February to May).

The Maverick Volleyball Club offers gender-specific competitive teams from 13U to 18U where sufficient numbers and coaches exist.

Teams for 11U and 12U are co-ed.

The Maverick Volleyball Club prides itself in following the Long-Term Development (LTD) model for our National-level teams. Accordingly, at Maverick Volleyball, our 14U-16U National-level teams follow the “Learn to Train” LTD model, and the 17U-18U National-level teams follow the “Train to Compete” model.

For details please review “Fee Structures – RTC” in our Parent Handbook.

As a not-for-profit organization, Maverick Provincial-level team fees are set by each individual team (within Club parameters), and each team must achieve a zero-based budgeting outcome. Team budgets are proposed by the coaching staff in cooperation with, and approved by, that team’s parent group, and submitted by the Team Treasurer.

Fees include club overhead costs (as set by the Club Financial Officer), OVA registration fees for athletes and coaches, tournament entry fees (minimum of four OVA regular season tournaments plus Ontario Championships), practice requirements (gyms, balls, equipment, med kits, etc.), and coach’s honoraria and expenses. Fees may also include travel and accommodation for tournaments, team events such as team building or team parties, or additional tournament opportunities. At the end of the season, budgets will be reconciled, and any remaining balance will be returned to the families (or shortages will be due before Ontario Championships).

As a not-for-profit organization, Maverick National-level team fees are set by each individual team (within Club parameters), and each team must achieve a zero-based budgeting outcome. Team budgets are proposed by the coaching staff in cooperation with, and approved by that team’s parent group, and submitted by the Team Treasurer (a parent volunteer).

Fees include club overhead costs (as set by the Club Financial Officer), OVA registration fees for athletes and coaches, tournament entry fees (including Ontario and National Championships, and international or interprovincial play), practice requirements (gyms, balls, equipment, med kits, etc.), coach honoraria and expenses, and supplemental training (strength and conditioning, nutrition, sport psychology experts). Fees may also include travel and accommodation for tournaments and team events such as team building or team parties. At the end of the season, budgets will be reconciled, and any remaining balance will be returned to the families (or shortages will be due before National Championships).

Contact admin@maverickvolleyball.ca