Q: Where is the Apex Volleyball Club located?
A: Apex is primarily based out of East Vancouver and West Burnaby, with tryouts and practices taking place at Van Tech, Alpha, and Burnaby South Secondary Schools, Laura Secord, Hastings, and Begbie Elementary Schools, and Sunset, Hillcrest and Trout Lake Community Centres. We have recently expanded to Burnaby and also practice out of Moscrop and Burnaby North Secondary schools.
Q: How long is the season?
A: The club volleyball season starts with tryouts in late November/early December, and ends with our last tournaments occurring in April, May, or June, depending on the age group.
Q: What age groups do you serve?
A: We try to accommodate all athletes that express interest in our club to the best of our capabilities. Officially, we have 12U (girls only), 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U teams. Athletes that are 13 years old or younger are more than welcome to tryout for our 14U teams. We are hoping to start at the 13U level in the coming years. We also have a 12-15U Co-Ed House League. Check out our House League page for more details!
Q: When and where are tryouts?
A: Tryouts take place in late November/early December. Check the Tryouts page for exact dates, times, and locations for your age group.
Q: How much do tryouts cost?
A: Pre-registering for tryouts online costs $30 (non-refundable, payable by credit card) for a minimum of 5 hours of instruction and evaluation over 2-3 days. Walk up registration on-site during tryouts is $35 (cash, cheque, or credit card).
Q: Why do we have to pay for tryouts?
A: All clubs in BC charge for tryouts. Volleyball BC advises that clubs charge for tryouts to ensure that there is commitment from interested athletes. We also charge a fee to build a bank balance for emergencies and for facility rentals.
Q: What team should I tryout for?
A: 2016-2017 Age Classes:
12U: Sept. 1, 2004 or later
14U: Sept. 1, 2002 – Dec. 31, 2003
15U: Sept. 1, 2001 – Dec. 31, 2002
16U: Sept. 1, 2000 – Dec. 31, 2001
17U: Sept. 1, 1999 – Dec. 31, 2000
18U: Sept. 1, 1998 – Dec. 31, 1999
This means that by these new rules established by Volleyball Canada, an athlete born September 1 or later can play at 2 different age classes.
Q: What if I want to try out for 2 different age classes (i.e. “playing up”)?
A: You may do so, but you will have to pay a tryout fee for each age class you are trying out for.
Q: Do I have to be at every tryout?
A: No, but it is to your advantage to be at every tryout so that you are not only exposed to the coaches more, but you also gain more knowledge from our coaches. If you must miss a tryout, let your coach know as soon as possible and hopefully, something can be worked out. Tryout fees are non-refundable.
Q: Why should I try out for Apex?
A: Apex provides a skills camp during tryouts where athletes gain knowledge and skills, in addition to being evaluated by coaches for inclusion on teams. This way, all athletes leave our camp/tryouts with newly learned technical and tactical knowledge. Making a team allows the athlete to train and compete with teammates under certified coaches, travel to out-of-town tournaments, and participate in high-level athletics. Apex is a young, fresh club with our athletes’ interests in mind.
Q: What do I need to bring to tryouts?
A: First, you must pre-register online. All athletes are required to pay a registration fee and bring any applicable forms (such as an Athlete Release Form) to the first tryout. Athletes will not be permitted to tryout without the registration fee paid. Also, bring your volleyball gear (knee pads, ankle braces, athletic tape, etc), and a water bottle. If you played for a different club last season, you will need an Athlete Release Form for tryouts. All forms can be found in the TRYOUTS page. Athletes who played for a different club last season must bring this form prior to participating at tryouts (NO EXCEPTIONS).
Q: If I make the team, how much would I have to pay in fees?
A: Team fees depend on the team, but range from $600-$800. This includes registration with Apex, Volleyball BC, and Volleyball Canada, insurance, coaches’ fees, 2 warmup shirts, equipment, facility rentals, and registration for at least 4 tournaments (including the Provincial Championships). Travel fees to out-of-town tournaments in Kelowna, Victoria, Nanaimo, or Seattle vary, but cost $200-$300 per trip depending on method of travel. All teams also have the opportunity to travel to compete in the National Championships (locations vary year-by-year and therefore, so do costs).
Q: What about extras?
A: Teams may attend extra tournaments that are not budgeted at the start of the season. The club also sells team hoodies, sweatpants, jackets, and other gear, including shoes, bags, ankle braces, and kneepads. Please talk to your coach if you are interested.
Q: I may have problems paying my fees. Is there anything that can be done to help ease the financial burden?
A: The club offers bursaries, payment plans, as well as opportunities to fundraise. KidSport BC offers grants to those in need as well. Information can be found here. There are also other organizations, such as Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, which may be able to help. Please contact Ken Li (boys’ teams) or Chanh Vuong (girls’ teams) for more information.
Q: When are practices?
A: Practices depend on the age group, the availability of the coach, and the members of the team. Teams practice once or twice per week. Practices may occur on any day of the week, with practices taking place from 4:00PM onward with the latest potential end time at 10:00PM on weekdays, and 8:30AM onwards on weekends (latest end time is 10:00PM). Each team establishes practice schedules to cater to the needs of the team, so for example, a team may have an extra practice on a week prior to an important tournament.
Q: When are tournaments?
A: Tournaments take place on weekends, and are scheduled by Volleyball BC or by other clubs.
Q: What is your policy on playing time?
A: Each coach has different policies and philosophies regarding playing time, so please contact your coach for more information.
Q: My son or daughter participates in other school or club teams in other sports. Can he or she still play for Apex?
A: Absolutely. Our teams practice once or twice a week, and our coaches try to schedule practices so that all team members can be present as much as possible.
Q: Are the coaches certified?
A: All our head coaches are certified by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and follow the Volleyball BC Coaches’ Code of Conduct. All Apex staff members have undergone a Criminal Record Check as well.
Q: I received an email link from ePACT Network. What is it and how do I register?
A: Apex has moved to a paperless system called ePACT to collect all health information, emergency contacts and waivers & consents for their athletes. For further information on ePACT, how it works and how to register, please open this document.
Q: I have more questions! Who can I contact?
A: Please contact the club president Ken Li at ken (at) apexvolleyball.com