Thursday Teams

THURSDAY TEAMS

The final tournament schedule has been released and all information is now posted on our website. Remember this tournament is SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH. Below are the links to get to your page for either Tuesday night practices and then Thursday night practices. You can also get to these pages by going to our main website, gcva.net, then selecting the "Indoor" tab, then hovering over the "Little Spiker" tab, then selecting either Tuesday or Thursday. 

Link to TUESDAY team information: http://www.gcva.net/content/indoor/little-spikers/tuesday-teams

Link to THURSDAY team information: http://www.gcva.net/content/indoor/little-spikers/thursday-teams

A few things to check and note: On the website you will see a specific time that your player needs to be at their appropriate court. The courts will be labeled when you arrive at the facility. It is important that you get to the gym on time, as sometimes games are running ahead of schedule and we will need to be ready to play. I accounted for that in the time that I am asking the players to be there, so please have your player to the court on time!!

On that same note, the times listed are approximate. The tournament will start on time, but from there it will run fast or slow depending on how long the games take. As soon as the game prior to yours is over, the next begins, even if it is ahead of schedule, so at no point should your player get too far away from their court. 

You will also see the roster for each team. If you feel there is an error in where your player is listed, please let me know. 

Upon arriving at the gym, girls should get ready to play somewhat quickly. They should come in their blue jersey and black shorts. If you have not yet received your jersey, I will have it at the gym. If your player prefers not to wear spandex, that is fine! Black athletic shorts of any kind are fine. They should be wearing their kneepads and athletic shoes. When it is time for your player's team to play, the coaches will get them on the court for a quick warm-up, then games begin shortly after that. Gyms do tend to be cold, so maybe have a jacket on hand for them (and maybe a blanket for you). 

By looking at your player's schedule, you see some are VERY busy, potentially going 3 or 4 games in a row. There will be a few minutes between each game for your player to grab a quick snack. If there is ever a time slot where her team is "OFF", then that is a great time for a quick bite to eat as well. For players in the morning wave, there is no designated lunch break, so those quick snacks throughout the day will be the way to go. For those teams in the afternoon wave, I would suggest coming to the gym having eaten lunch and then be armed with snacks to get your player through the day. 

There will be times when your player's team is assigned to ref a match. In that scenario, their team will be responsible for keeping score and line judging. These are learning tournaments, so we are all patient with players learnnig how to do these things. All I ask is that you make sure your player stays around their designated court during the reffing time and does not disppear, leaving the reffing duties to other players. Their coach will work with them to assign duties for each match, and not every player will have something to do each time. When it your player's off time, it is more than of to get them something to eat, etc, but please make sure they are particiapting in the reffing assignment throughout the day. 

In regards to other teams reffign our mataches, there will be mistakes made. These are young kinds learning to pay attention and watch whatever they are supposed to watch, whether that be the score or a set of lines. Please do not say anything to an opposing team's line judges or score keepers. Our coaches will be monitoring the referring team while theri team in playing mand make sure there are no major concerns. However, other teams will mess up and miss a line call or a point along the way, just as we will most likely do the same when we ref. 

As this is our first tournament, we are all going into it with excitement and considering it an opportunity to learn. We of course are competitive and want to win, but there will inevitably be learning moments along the way. We will embrace those and keep moving forward!! I will be walking around both gyms where girls are playing. If you have any concerns at any point throughout the day, feel free to grab my attention and voice your concerns (although I don't anticipate anything!). Please remember to NOT distract your player from focusing on their coach or their team. Please do not call out to them to instruct them as they play. Let them learn to focus on team success and to have fun with their teammates!

Below is some information regarding the facility. Read all info! It is important :) 

Location: Fairmont Jr. High               Address: 4911 Holly Bay Ct, Pasadena, TX 77505                       Tournament Date: October 20th 

- There is an entry fee of $3 per person, CASH ONLY. There is no designation for children or seniors, so please be prepared to pay for everyone who will be in attendance. 

- If the parking lot in front of the gym is full, DO NOT PARK IN THE FIRE LANES. It is important those stay open in case an emergency vehicle needs to arrive. The tournament director also mentioned that there have been tickets written for cars parked in the street in front of the gym parking lot. There is a parking lot at the front of the school that will need to be used in the case of the gym parking lot being full. 

- There can be no tents or tailgating of any kind. 

- THERE ARE NO CHAIRS ALLOWED IN THE FACILITY. There are bleachers in both gyms that can be used. They may get full, so the tournament director asks that when it is not your player's time to play, that you give priority in seating to the parents whose children are playing. Additionally, no seating will be allowed along the walls of the gym or between the two courts that are within each gym. 

- There will be a concession stand with snacks and drinks available. The tournament director asks that no outside food or drink excpet water be brought in. This is a general guideline, but bringing snacks for your player is totally fine...I would not trust the snacks that will be available there. I think they do want to avoid whole meals brining brought into the gym, so if you do pick up lunch from somewhere, then eating that outside the doors or outside the gym at some available tables would be perfect. 

I apologize for the length of this e-mail, but I believe it covers everything. Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns regarding this tournament and I will be sure to clear up any confusion. If this is your first tournament, it can seem very overwhelming, but once you actually get to the gym and get your player with their coach and team, things run very smoothly! 

We are all very excited for our first tournament!!! GO COAST!!!
 

Mary Clifford