RESOURCES

It is important that families get familiar with the OVA website as this is your main source of information regarding tournaments dates, locations and standings. There is a high level of commitment in rep sports and every player is expected to attend all OVA sanctioned tournaments - please review the competitions calendar carefully. Some pages to note: Youth Competitions Calendar 2024/2025 Upcoming Competitions What's New for 2024/2025 Ontario Championships 2024 Club Window Tryout Policy Athlete Bill of Rights

Youth Nationals

The Early Contact Initiative (ECI) is a collaborative effort between the OVA Youth Competitions Staff and the Indoor Volleyball Development Committee (IVDC). The ECI establishes OVA as a leading organization in the design of developmentally-appropriate youth competition systems. Anchored in the principles of Long Term Development (LTD), the ECI is a set of rules geared toward assisting entry level players find the appropriate entry point along the OVA’s competition pathway. This flexibility increases developmentally-appropriate competition opportunities for younger players while providing the best experience possible for long term retention and success. In order to achieve this success, three divisions were created to help athletes find their fit. 4v4 Rallyball (follow VC Rules for Tripleball) 6v6 Rallyball Traditional Limited Specialized (TLS) View ECI manual here *Please note 2014 and 2015 DOBs are permitted to participate in 6v6 Rallyball if developmentally appropriate, however, it is strongly encouraged that these athletes experience the full development spectrum as identified in ECI. * Athletes born in 2010 are encouraged to play 15U Youth Competitions. However, athletes who are new to volleyball and born from September 1st-December 31st, 2010 have the option to play TLS if that is better suited for their skillset. Athletes born from January 1st-August 31st, 2010 are only eligible to compete in the TLS division through an application.

The OVA’s Code of Conduct’s purpose is to ensure a safe and positive environment within OVA programs. It is applicable to all individuals engaged in activities with the OVA, including but not limited to, clubs, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, managers, administrators, committee members, directors and officers of the OVA, spectators of OVA events and parents of OVA members. An individual who violates this Code may be subject to sanctions pursuant to the OVA’s Discipline and Complaints Policy. Violations could result in a warning, reprimand, access restrictions, suspension and other disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment/contract, as appropriate. The OVA Code of Conduct can be found here: Code of Conduct.

Thundercats Volleyball is committed to contributing to a safe sporting environment through education and by promoting awareness of concussion diagnosis and graduated ‘return to play’ of players who have suffered a concussion. We follow the OVA’s policy and protocols around concussions. If a concussion is suspected, the athlete will be removed from play immediately, and the concussion protocol will be followed, including the requirement of medical clearance to return. If an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion, a gradual ‘return to play’ protocol will be followed after receiving medical clearance to return to sport. More information on Rowan’s Law and Concussion Protocols can be found on the OVA’s website at: https://www.ontariovolleyball.org/policies

A copy of the club handbook is made available to every player at the onset of the season in their 'Welcome' email. In the absence of a club policy, we will defer to the OVA's policies. Current rostered players may request the club handbook by emailing info.thundercatsvball@gmail.com

The OVA requires that the Respect in Sport (RIS) module be completed by at least one parent or guardian for each athlete. The OVA will audit the MRS accounts for completion, and athletes will not be permitted to participate in OVA tournaments if the RIS Module is not completed. There is a fee ($12) to complete the course and it will take approx. 1 hour to complete. It only needs to be completed once, you can use your existing certificate number if you previously completed the RIS for another sport. Once completed, you must input your certificate number into your child’s MRS profile. Keep your certificate number on file for future years and future sports. More details on the RIS, and links to complete the module can be found on the OVA website at: https://www.ontariovolleyball.org/respect-in-sport

Refunds for club rep fees: Deposits collected at the beginning of the season are non-refundable. Refunds and pro-rates are NOT given to missed or cancelled practices. No refund will be given if a player withdraws from the team, as the initial budget was based on the number of players on the team. If a player has been released by the coach then a prorated refund will be considered by the Club. In the event that a player becomes injured while playing or practicing and cannot practice or compete for more than 2 months a prorate may be given. The responsible party will still be required to pay all incurred costs prior to the injury. The participant must provide proof of injury by providing the club with a written statement from a medical doctor certifying the injury. The player will be re-admitted to participate in the club only with a written release from a medical doctor certifying their fitness to participate in club activities. Refunds for club non-rep programs, camps, clinic, etc. Full refunds will be issued less the administration fee of $50 up to two (2) weeks prior to the start date of the program. There are no refunds after the start date of a class Refunds and pro-rates are NOT given to missed or cancelled practices.

After evaluation of the lining and scoring pilot, the OVA has chosen to move in a different direction to better accommodate the needs of all our tournament stakeholders. The lining and scoring for the 2024-25 season will reflect the Volleyball Canada system which was introduced two years ago and will be applied to all regular season events for the TLS to 18U divisions, including convention centre events and the Ontario Championships. Each team will be required to provide one (1) volunteer per match to act in the role of Scorer or Assistant Scorer. This role may be completed by a parent or any supporter of the team. This individual should not be changed once the match protocols have been started. The Assistant Scorer will be responsible for the manual scoreboard while the Scorer will be responsible for the scoresheet. *Please note, this system is only in effect for TLS-18U age groups! The 4v4 and 6v6 age groups will still use parent/team volunteers as both scorers and lines persons. Links: How to scorekeep How to scorekeep - simplified version 4v4 scoresheet 6v6 scoresheet Best 2/3 scoresheet Line up cards VIDEO - How to complete a scoresheet (Sask but applicable to ON)

After evaluation of the lining and scoring pilot, the OVA has chosen to move in a different direction to better accommodate the needs of all our tournament stakeholders. The lining and scoring for the 2024-2025 season will reflect the Volleyball Canada system which was introduced two years ago and will be applied to all regular season events for the TLS to 18U divisions, including convention centre events and the Ontario Championships. Each team will be required to provide one (1) athlete per game to act in the role of line judge. Should the team not have sufficient athletes to fill this role, the opposing team will be asked to supply a second athlete. If this is not possible, the referee will manage the match with no line judges. The athlete line judge will call lines for their own team throughout the entirety of the match. Athlete line judges will be placed on opposite corners from each other. If the athlete acting as line judge is to be subbed into the match, the referee will provide adequate time for this change. *Please note, this system is only in effect for TLS-18U age groups! The 4v4 and 6v6 age groups will still use parent/team volunteers as both scorers and lines persons. Prior to the match, the referee will brief volunteers on how to line judge and what calls to make. Some tournaments will provide flags for line judges. VIDEO - How to line judge in volleyball (USA edition but applicable to CAN)