Red
14U- Tryout
- Sunday, November 29
- Born
- Sept 1, 2012 and younger
2027 Club
Season
More information about the club season will be added as it becomes available.
Teams
Big Sand will be running three club teams for the 2027 season: two 14U teams and one 15U team.
- White14U
- Tryout
- Sunday, November 29
- Born
- Sept 1, 2012 and younger
- Black15U
- Tryout
- Saturday, December 5
- Born
- Sept 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2012
Red 14U | White 14U | Black 15U | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tryout | Sunday, November 29 | Sunday, November 29 | Saturday, December 5 |
| Born | Sept 1, 2012 and younger | Sept 1, 2012 and younger | Sept 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2012 |
Tryout Information
- Tryout fee
- $25.00 per athlete. Paid by e-transfer before the tryout
- Trying out at both ages
- Register for each session separately
- Session size
- Each session is capped to keep a safe number of athletes in the gym
- Registration deadline
- Registration closes three days before tryouts, or when a session is full
14U Tryout
Sunday, November 29
Hedges Middle School
Sign up for one of the following time slots:
- 12:30–2:30 pmSpots available
- 3:00–5:00 pmSpots available
- 5:30–7:30 pmSpots available
One session covers both 14U teams. 13U athletes are welcome here and will be considered for both 14U teams.
15U Tryout
Saturday, December 5
Bruce Middle School
Sign up for one of the following time slots:
- 8:30–10:30 amSpots available
- 11:00 am–1:00 pmSpots available
- 1:30–3:30 pmSpots available
Need to change a registration? Email us at
Tryout Process
01
Before tryouts
Registering
- Confirm your child's age group on Volleyball Manitoba's website
- Use the linked Google Form to register for a tryout session
- You will receive an email confirmation from Peter with e-transfer instructions within 3–5 business days
- Complete your e-transfer payment to secure your spot
- No drop-ins — only athletes who have registered and completed their e-transfer are permitted.
How club tryouts work in Manitoba
- Athletes may try out at any number of Manitoba clubs.
- Once an athlete formally commits to a club, they may no longer attend tryouts with other clubs.
- Volleyball Manitoba sets the tryout dates, so many clubs hold tryouts on the same day.
02
Day of tryouts
What to bring
- Indoor court shoes
- Knee pads
- Optional volleyball gear (e.g. elbow pads, arm sleeves)
- Water bottle
- Any medical information or equipment (e.g. inhaler, EpiPen)
Running between tryouts?
- We check athletes in for up to 30 minutes past the session start time.
- Your athlete may leave up to 30 minutes early.
- We understand there are conflicts, and you don't need to tell us in advance. Please do let a coach know when you are leaving, so we can check your athlete out and keep everyone safe.
03
After tryouts
Offers
- Volleyball Manitoba sets the earliest date clubs may make offers for athletes to join their teams. 14U offers begin Thursday, December 3 at 12:00 pm. 15U offers begin Thursday, December 10 at 12:00 pm.
- Athletes receiving an offer have 30 hours to consider it.
- Athletes who accept their offer will get a final confirmation email including an invitation to the parent meeting.
- Please reply either way before your offer window closes. If you know that you will be declining an offer, an early response allows us to contact the next athlete sooner and gives them the same opportunity to consider their offer.
If your athlete isn't selected
- Not receiving an offer is a decision about this season's roster, and is not an indication of how far an athlete can go in the sport.
- We encourage all athletes to continue developing their skills and gaining experience on the court.
- We post upcoming camps and skill development programs on this site as they are confirmed. These are a great way for athletes to keep working on their game and prepare for future opportunities with Big Sand.
Season Information
Season
January–May 2027
- Club volleyball is entirely tournament-based. There is no regular-season league play
- Teams compete in tournaments throughout the season, building toward Provincials and finishing at Nationals
- Individual team development is led by the team coaches. Coaches are responsible for the development, training, and day-to-day programming for their teams
- Practices and programming are supported club-wide. Peter and the entire Big Sand coaching staff work together to support the athletes throughout the season
Tournaments
4 to 6 local, plus Provincials and Nationals
- Tournaments generally run on weekends (Friday evening – Saturday, or Saturday – Sunday)
- Expect some travel, usually to Brandon, Portage la Prairie, or Regina
- Provincials and Nationals typically run three to four days
- 14U Nationals take place in Regina, SK
- 15U Nationals take place in Edmonton, AB
Practices
3 to 4 per week
- Practices run in 1.5 to 2-hour slots
- Gyms are in the St. James and Westwood areas, primarily Lincoln Middle School and Sturgeon Heights Community Centre
- Exact days and times are confirmed once team schedules are set
Age categories
14U and 15U
- Three teams will be rostered this season: two at 14U and one at 15U
- 13U athletes are welcome at the 14U tryouts and will be considered for both 14U teams
Cost
- Approximately $2,200–$2,500 per athlete
- The final fee will be confirmed by the start of the season
- The fee is non-refundable once an athlete commits to a team
What the fee includes
- Team gear (two game uniforms, practice t-shirts, sweatpants, and a jacket or hoodie)
- Gym rentals
- Insurance registration with Volleyball Manitoba and Volleyball Canada
- Entry to local tournaments
- Entry to Provincials and Nationals
- Coaches' honorariums
What it doesn't include
- Shared cost of coaches' travel and accommodation for out-of-town tournaments
- Individual travel costs for players and families
- An optional Big Sand backpack
- Any parent-driven activities, such as a photographer for team photos or exhibition games
What we ask of parents
Being part of a club team is a shared experience, and parents play an important role in helping each team run smoothly.
As is common with organized youth sports, parents will be asked to help with a few team responsibilities throughout the season, including:
- Team manager: Helping with team communication, tournament logistics, and other administrative details
- Scorekeeping and line judging: Parents may be scheduled to help with these responsibilities during tournaments
- Social media and livestreams: Teams may choose to maintain social media accounts or livestream matches, at the discretion of the parents and team
Why Big Sand
What sets us apart
Competitive teams
We consistently compete with Manitoba's strongest programs, while maintaining a community-centred feel.
See past season results
Technical, high-quality coaching
We emphasize strong fundamentals and efficient movement, and we prioritize the mental game and volleyball IQ. We focus on 14U and 15U because it's when lasting skills are formed, and when we believe we can have the greatest impact on athletes.
Small club environment
We run only a few teams each season. Coaches, athletes, and families across all our teams get to know one another, and our teams practice and scrimmage against each other across age groups.
Athlete-first culture
We build around confidence, resilience, and a love for the game. We value balance and long-term athlete success, whether in volleyball or outside of it.
What to look for in a club
Choosing a volleyball home is about more than skill level. It's about fit, development, and overall experience.
- Coaching fit
- Clear communication, feedback that fits the athlete, and a coach who builds confidence on and off the court.
- Development opportunity
- Look for programs offering meaningful reps, structured feedback, and appropriate challenge for your child's stage of volleyball development and maturity.
- Team and culture fit
- A positive and competitive environment helps athletes feel comfortable, confident, and motivated.
- Schedule, proximity, and logistics
- A sustainable routine matters. Training close to home may help families balance school, sports, and life without added stress.
- Cost and commitment level
- Select a program where the seasonal commitment aligns with your family's expectations and values.
- Athlete's preference
- The best fit is often where your athlete feels supported, included, and excited to return each week.
FAQ
Age and eligibility
Please check Volleyball Manitoba's chart to confirm your athlete's age group.
If your Grade 9 athlete has a late birthday (September to December), they may be eligible for both our age categories.
For athletes eligible for both age groups, the best fit isn't always determined by age alone. Many athletes have had excellent experiences competing in a younger age group, where they can contribute as leaders and play an important role on a competitive team.
If your athlete is considering teams at different age levels, we recommend reviewing Volleyball Manitoba's age-specific rules, such as fair play and Tripleball, when making your decision.
Yes. 13U athletes are encouraged to attend the 14U tryouts and will be considered for both 14U teams.
13U club volleyball in Manitoba follows Tripleball rules. 13U athletes should consider how that format compares with the 14U experience (which follows traditional volleyball rules) when deciding what environment is right for them.
Making a team
No. Camps are separate from club volleyball.
Anyone is welcome to attend the tryouts.
Athletes are evaluated on skills, game IQ, work ethic, and team dynamics, alongside positional needs and roster balance.
We do not treat our teams as a ranking from best to worst. We look for the best fit for each athlete in the context of the team, the coaching group, and the needs of the roster.
During the season
14U volleyball follows Volleyball Manitoba's fair play rules. Any athlete not starting the first set must start the second, and players cannot be substituted unless ill or injured. Playing time in the third set is at the coach's discretion.
15U volleyball in Manitoba is NOT fair play. Lineups and substitutions are at the coach's discretion, with playing time influenced by a combination of ability, attitude, effort, and development.
No. Club volleyball is tournament-based, with teams competing in tournaments throughout the season rather than playing in a regular league.
Parents are also welcome to organize exhibition games. Last season, each team played approximately three exhibition games against other teams in the city.
Cost for exhibition games (e.g. gym rentals) is not included in club season fees.
We provide beginner strength and mobility programs for athletes to use throughout the season.
Our practices typically include a short conditioning component focused on movement and injury prevention.
Because the club season is relatively short, our coaches prioritize volleyball-specific skill development during team training time.
Athletes are welcome to pursue additional athletic training outside of practice, and parents may organize group sessions if they wish.
Yes. The club season runs January to mid-May, which complements a school volleyball season running September to mid-November.
Yes. Big Sand has always encouraged well-rounded athletic and personal development, and we believe being a multi-sport athlete contributes to long-term growth.
Club volleyball does require a meaningful commitment, and athletes are expected to prioritize scheduled team practices, events, and competitions while balancing other activities.
If your athlete has a significant conflict with the club schedule, we encourage you to discuss it with the head coach before accepting an offer.