Q: Where is the Apex Volleyball Club located?

A: Apex is based out of East Vancouver, with tryouts and practices taking place primarily at Gladstone and Killarney 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 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, and 18U teams. Athletes that are 12 or 13 years old are more than welcome to tryout for our 14U teams.

Q: When and where are tryouts?

A: Tryouts take place in early December. Check the TRYOUTS page for exact dates, times, and locations for your age group.

Q: How much do tryouts cost?

A: Tryouts cost $30 (non-refundable, payable by cash or cheque) for at least two tryouts.

Q: Do I have to be at every tryout?

A: 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 through our camp tryout system. If you must miss a tryout, let your coach know as soon as possible and something can be worked out.

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: All athletes are required to bring the $30 registration fee and completed registration form to the first tryout. Athletes will not be permitted to tryout without the registration fee and form. Also, bring your volleyball gear (knee pads, ankle braces, athletic tape, etc), and a water bottle. You do not need an Athlete Transfer Form for tryouts (you will need a Transfer Form if you make an Apex team AND you had played for a different club last year). All forms can be found in the TRYOUTS page.

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 $300-400. This includes registration with Apex and with Volleyball BC, coaches’ fees, warmup t-shirts, equipment, and registration for 4 tournaments (including the Provincial Championships). Travel fees to out-of-town tournaments in Kelowna, Vancouver Island, or Seattle vary, but cost no more than $200 per trip. 15U and 16U teams have the opportunity to travel to Calgary to compete in the Western Canadian Open. Fees to Calgary are budgeted depending on the costs of flights, rental vehicles, and accommodations.

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, duffle 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 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 which may be able to help. Please contact Ken Li (boys’ teams) or Chanh Vuong (girls’ teams) for more information on payment plans.

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 4:30PM onward, with the latest potential end time at 10:00PM on weekdays, and whatever is available on weekends. Older age groups tend to have later practices. 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: 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.