Posted: September 21, 2020
TCVB Family
We felt it important to put out there some answers to questions for the 2020-2021 season especially during these times. We are committed to having a successful season this year, but we know that does not come without changes.
1. How are you keeping the gym safe and meeting safety standards and guidelines?
Here are TCVB we are dedicated to you and your family’s health and safety. We are following the USAV Return to Play guidelines to create the safest environment possible. We have adapted extra cleaning and disinfection protocols. There are visible signs on the points of entry as well as other safety/health standards in all bathrooms. We have different points of entry and exit, questionnaires, and temperature checks. Families are or will be asked to sign a waiver acknowledging the risk of participating this season.
2.What will practices look like with this season running similar to High School?
We know there are some concerns for those who participate in High School volleyball and also travel with the seasons overlapping. With the High School season being cut short, we are fully committed to making sure we balance those two schedules for that brief period. Practices days/times may be different from what they have been in the past (i.e. a Saturday practice until tournaments) and we are preparing to be flexible to what that schedule looks like. We want the team together on the court as much as possible when they can. Here in Gaston County in a normal year, the Middle School season runs together in the first few months of travel. We do make the necessary adjustments.
3.How will travel work and/or tournaments work this season?
This season has no doubt put a spotlight on travel, tournaments and the commitment to sports. This year, like some of the past, our Red/Black teams will do mostly Carolina Regional Tournaments. These are one day tournaments where you can easily travel to the event and home the same day. If there is a two-day tournament it will be within the state of NC/SC and a doable 2-3-hour drive. Our White, Grey or Purple teams will travel with NC/SC and or other cities that are a 4-5-hour drive. In the case of Stay to Play requirements, our director is evaluating those to see if feasible. Ultimately, we want everyone to be safe and comfortable.
4.Will Parents/Spectators be allowed at Tournaments?
Honestly, we do not know… There is an expectation that this will vary by Tournament Host. In the later part of last season, when this first hit, they were only allowing 1 spectator in addition to the athlete into the facility. This could more than likely be the case still. As we get more information you will definitely communicate via team communication platform. We do expect it to vary from tournament to tournament. ALSO, we do not know a Tournament Host’s protocol as for mask wearing but do feel if spectators are present, they may be required to wear masks.
5.Will you still be offering training sessions in the fall?
Once the 2020-2021 season gets underway practices will focus on team dynamics and tournament play. The offering of privates and/or 1:1 session will depend on court and coach availability. Please note: Coaches primary responsibility during the season is team coaching, tournaments, and tournament management. Off season training is where your player should really focus on improving their individual skills set.
Family, we ask for you to be patient with us this season. There are A LOT moving parts, different protocols, and procedures in which we all are having to adapt. Please know we are committed to you, this sport and helping your athlete improve. We don’t know what the future holds, we can’t say it will be smooth sailing from here on out. There will be frustrations, there will be annoyances, there will be miscommunications… HOWEVER we are in this together. We have to #STAYHONGRY and not let this difficult time get the best of us.
Thank you so much
TCVB Leadership and Staff
Copyright © 2020 Thunder Cats Junior Volleyball Club
PO Box 550117, Gastonia, NC 28055
thundercatsvb@gmail.com
PO Box 550117, Gastonia, NC 28055
thundercatsvb@gmail.com