I was going to write this blog to complain about the way the adults in the K.R.V.A. (Keystone Region Volleyball Association) has been mishandled, and how some recent developments will actually hurt things worse than they are (if that is possible). I have since decided that doing so would not be the correct approach. I want to be clear that while I (as a player and adult club director) am very unhappy, there is NOT an attack on the board, or any of if members. In fact, I am very excited to see what the new adult chair will bring. The bad part is that she is stepping in to a very bad mess that may never get cleaned up. I have decided that instead of complaining about what is, was, and may be the problems with the adult division, I would focus on how it can be fixed. None of the ideas I am about to present are new. In fact, some of them are not solely my own thoughts. I have presented these ideas to numerous people over the years both as a general member and as a K.R.V.A board member. The results were usually the same. Pass the buck, then it gets dropped. I am sure some of these may sound simple, foolish, or even “out there”, but I feel we owe it to the adult community to look at every possible option.
A quick history lesson is needed, because I think a lot of the younger “adult” players do not understand how the tide has changed. Back in the beginning stages of the region, the adult side of membership easily out numbered the junior side of things. While the region was trying to build up the junior side, it was the adult teams that kept thing afloat. As the region pushed and pushed (which is a good thing) to grow the junior side, the adult side start to decline. To give an example, when I first played as a registered adult in 1993, I played 12 times from November until May. Since 2006, I have been able to play 5 times total. That is almost one event a year. While I do not have “official” numbers, I can name about 30 teams off the top of my head from the 1990-2000 era. I can currently name all 5 men’s team that have competed since 2001. So as you can see, this is not a “slight” decline, but rather an emergency. I have heard every excuse in the book as to why. “Most adults are coaching, and can not play”, “It is too complicated to register”, “No one wants to travel anymore”, “Everyone is starting families and can no longer compete as much”. The problem with all that (with the exception of the registration part) is I see a TON of these players all summer long traveling 2-6 hours to play doubles. Where do they all go during the fall, winter, and spring?
So here is my personal list of 10 things that can be done to help the adult community in the region.
1. Declare and “state of emergency” and suspend the current Adult Operating Code.
Rational: Most of the “serious stuff” is covered in the General Operating Code and current By-Laws. The current Adult Op Code ties the hands of tournament directors and players too much. Any decisions or issues could be handled by the Adult Chair or the entire board. While this is the adult side of things, there needs to be more involvement from every KRVA chair to focus on this issue.
2. Shred the current Adult Operating Code.
Rational: The “current” Adult Operating Code is dated 12/22/2007. While that may not seem to be a big deal, the bulk of the Operating Code has not changed in over 10 years. Do not cut and paste in to a new one. Literally start with a blank piece of paper and write them from scratch.
3. Make Team/Player registration easier.
Rational: I know that this is a very vague statement. I also know that since the region has moved to the new Webpoint Registration there have been a lot of bugs and the region is doing their best to fix it. What is needed for adults right now is a way for the teams to register themselves and their team with one paper packet. I realize that this means someone on the region side would need to enter all the information and set it, but maybe it is time for the region to get some interns. As a Club Director on the junior side, it is easy for me to go through and set things up. I have done it enough of times. The problem is the system is VERY confusing for the casual user. Let me get my 8 guys together one night, have them all fill out a piece of paper, I fill one out for the team, and I mail it in. This should not cost me extra money to do.
4. Forget the Webpoint Rosters.
Rational: I know that rosters are required to make sure that everyone is registered, but what does this actually accomplish? No one is checking driver licenses, so there is no way to prove that the person on the court is the person on the roster. Why not let us just print our own rosters with the players name and USAV # on it. It also makes it a lot easier for clubs like me that have two teams to float players back and forth.
5. Remove the divisions.
Rational: Literally, with 8 men’s teams in the region, do we really need divisions? I understand that if you are a “B” level team, you do not want to play against a “AA” team, but it is not like there are any other “B” teams for you to play. Just make it one large group and if there are a lot of teams at an event, the TD can split the pools and playoffs. Note, this is a temporary situation. If the numbers comes up, then the divisions can be split again. Chesapeake Region recently addressed this and made their adult divisions go to three groups (Gold – AA/A teams, Silver A/BB, and Bronze B). The TD and the adult chair then decide what A teams would play in Gold and what A teams would play in silver, based on previous years and reputation.
6. Waive All Fees For Everything.
Rational: This is my most radical suggestion of the 10. There is an old saying that in order to make money you have to spend money. Well the only way we can get players and teams back is to bribe them in a sense. Any member who is only playing adults (meaning not coaching, officiating, etc..) should have the $20 registration fee waived. All adult teams should have the $30 team fee waived. This is the only way the region can compete with un-sanctioned events. There are no forms or registration fees for events. You show up, and pay the entry fee and play. If they numbers begin to rise, this can be revisited.
7. Region pays for and provides Refs for playoffs.
Rational: This is what is happening anyway. Clubs run events and only bring in the refs for playoffs. Offer the event up to 2 refs to work 2 semi’s and 1 final event for free. The region this year said they would give all events $200 for whatever they wanted to use it for. I say keep it and use it for the refs. Current ref fees are $28 for best 2/3 match. So it would be basically $84. Give each ref $100. That would spark the interest for the refs to work the match and it would be the same amount as the original $200 the region wants to give out.
8. Regulate the Event Entry Fees.
Rational: One of the biggest complaints I have gotten from the college teams (next to the registration headaches) is they can not budget with random fees. I suggest that EVERY adult event in the region has an entry fee of $160.00. $10 per team would go back the region to help offset some of the costs that happen. It could be deducted electronically, or the TD would have to send a check for $10 x number of teams. I know some TD’s may feel it unfair that they can not charge more, but honestly, no one is really running anything so they have voice in the matter.
9. Purchase Rewards
Rational: Sure playing for fun is what it is all about, but it is nice to get something for your hard work. The region could purchase bulk trophies or medals and give them to each first and second place winners. I would suggest staying away from shirts, since most adult players have too many t-shirts as it is. For regional champions, the award could be bigger like wind breakers that say regional champs on them, of fleeces. The region has sponsors they are partnered with and I am sure could get a good deal.
10. Scrap the point system.
Rational: It is just too confusing. The only thing the point system decides is how much money a team can get back from going to nationals. I think there should be a better way to decide this. For example: A team should get the % of money for nationals that matches the % of events they played in region. So if 4 events were available for them to play in, and they played in 2, they would get 50% of their national fees back. You can then add in “bonus” money for nationals. If a team finishes in the top 20% of nationals, they get other 50% (making it 100% back, using the above example). If they finish above 50% at nationals they get 30% (so 80% back, using the above example). If they finish in the bottom 49%, they get 10% back (making it 60% back, using the above example). Obviously they max they could get back is 100%. If a team plays in every event available to them in the region, they get 100% right away.
There are just a few of the ideas I have to help the region. My ultimate goal is to maybe get some discussion and action from the players and clubs themselves. Without us and our ideas, we have no chance of making sure there is a place for us to play when we get old(er) in life. I am also aware that some of this would take money, but it is time the KRVA opened the checkbook a little to help out a division that at one time defined the region. If you think that adult volleyball is jsut declining in general, look at the regions around us (OVR, GEVA, CVR).
