Sixteen Courts - Thousands Of Friends

As a reminder of what Juniors volleyball is all about we would like to reprint an article we have run in the past. The Junior Journal prints it every year, but we still get requests throughout the year for copies. If you have read it before, please bear with us and maybe read it and enjoy it again.

It is written by a Juniors coach from California. It is a reminder that the kids and the competition is the show. Juniors volleyball is not the place for referees to show how powerful they are, or coaches to show how demanding they can be, or parents to live their lives through their kids, but a place for all of us to step back and let the kids show their stuff.

The day was a delight as my wife and I wandered around Cashman Center watching various teams and gossiping with our peers; both parents and coaches. The lessons that I learned all over again include:

1) Some players thrive in the weakest programs.

2) Some players fail in the strongest.

3) Success correlates more to player heart and talent than to the club.

4) The most successful coaches, teams, and clubs have their detractors.

5) The least successful have their supporters.

6) Parent complaints correlate more to the parent than to the program.

7) As a parent, it's easiest if your daughter clearly is or clearly is not college scholarship material.

8) Having a daughter "on the bubble" as a potential college player is agony.

9) There is never enough playing time to go around.

10) Every coach is doing his or her best, yet

11) every coach could do better.

12) Every girl who has committed their time and energy toJO volleyball through the years has made stunning progress, but

13) none have yet reached their potential.

And finally,

14) We'll reminisce about the people and treasure the friendships long after we have forgotten the games.

Thanks to:
Bruce Bartholomew
Software Engineer/Volleyball Coach
Riverside, California