2026 TRYOUTS

12U (born 2014)
13U (born 2013)
14U (born 2012)
15U (born 2011)
16U (born 2010)
17U (born 2009)
18U (born 2008)

Volleyball BC Age Category Rules (2025 version linked, 2026 not available yet)

Athletes Born from Sept-December of their age group birth year have the option to tryout a year down from the years listed above. If you have any questions and require clarification, please email info@ducksvolleyball.ca

i.e. 14U (born 2012) Athlete is born in October 2012, they have the option to tryout at 13U and/or 14U. However, they must register for and attend the tryouts for the age group they wish to be considered for

Tryout dates are just above. Please refer to your age group (by birth year) and dates and times.

Athletes are required to attend tryouts for their age group unless other arrangements have been made. Please see information below regarding missing a tryout session

While we recognize that families may face unexpected, or an extenuating circumstance, attendance at tryouts is mandatory for athletes wanting to be a Duck.  In the rare case that it is not possible to attend a tryout, an exemption must be requested by emailing info@ducksvolleyball.ca. Athletes will need request an exemption, and send a write-up and/or athletic resume highlighting their volleyball playing experience and achievements. Athletes are also required to provide either game film and/or a reference letter from a previous coach to provide support when requesting a tryout exemption. 

Athletes may also request to attend a different tryout other than their own age group, as long as the requested tryout is on the same day as their official age level or before, and the tryout they are attending is similar in age and ability to their official age level.

All teams offered are above as well as spots available for each age group

On the day of tryouts, athletes are required to check in 30 minutes prior to their tryout session and will be assigned a number. Following a brief introduction of expectations and selection criteria, our experienced coaching staff will run the athletes through various drills. Athletes will be evaluated on skills such as passing, setting, serving, blocking, defending and attacking. Tactical and behavioral skills will also be evaluated.  Athletes 15U and older, will also be assessed position specifically (setters, middles, liberos (when applicable) and outside attackers).

Our assessment system then ranks players based on all graded elements. The Selection Committee reviews each athlete to determine athlete ranking and placement on a team.

The Ducks Volleyball Club has delegated the Selection Committee the authority for all decision making during the tryout process.

Selection Process:

1. The Selection Committee will oversee all tryout procedures and determine at its sole discretion the recipient(s) who will be offered a position in the program.
2. In the event that an athlete decides not to accept a spot in the program, the Selection Committee will select the next athlete on the waitlist based on ranking and/or positional ranking when applicable.
3. Members of the Selection Committee will be removed from any discussions, ranking and selections should there be a conflict of interest.
4. The Selection Committee will consist of the Head Coach of each team in that specific age group, the tryout Lead Coach, Technical Director and 2 Executive Members.
5. Athletes that are selected may be personally contacted during tryouts and/or phoned/emailed within 72 hours after the last tryout date to commit to a placement on the team.

Ducks Selection Criteria

Ducks Selection Criteria 10U-14U

Ducks Selection Criteria 15U-18U

Athletes will be offered a position on a team personally at tryouts or be contacted via email and/or phone within 48-72 hours. At this point, coaches will email athletes and parents using Team Snap to provide specific information about training schedules, payment, registration night etc.  

We ask that you do not contact us until 72 hours after the last tryout has passed. We understand this may be difficult, however we do our best to expedite the process to the best of our ability.

Delays in confirming teams are a result of having to wait for athletes commitment and signing dates, there is often movement with athlete placement and it allows the selection committee some flexibility when selecting athletes. 

The number of positions available on each team will vary between age groups and competition levels.  Exact details will be provided at the tryout. Exact allocations will not be known until all tryouts have been completed.  Each Ducks team will carry between 10-14 athletes

No, you may accept right away, but you don’t have to. If you need time to make some determinations, talk things through, then take that time. VBC rules indicate that you have until the end of the Signing Period to accept your position. All athletes can formally accept a position with a club before or by the Signing Dates” identified below. Unless otherwise indicated to you, all team offers expire at 6 pm on the date below.

12U – 13U – 14U | November 24, 2025
15U | December 1, 2025
16U – 17U 18U  | December 8, 2025

Yes, athletes may “play up” an age level. In order to “play up”, athletes must register, pay and attend both tryouts (correct age level and higher age level). It is essential for athletes to attend both tryouts in order to ensure athletes are appropriately evaluated, as well as to provide athletes greater opportunity to be placed on a team.  Please email info@ducksvolleyball.ca to communicate with the Selection Committee about your desire to “play up”.

Yes,  athletes born September 1 – December 31 of the previous year are permitted to “play down” one age category. Athletes that “play down” may only compete at one Regional Championship, Provincial Championship, and National Championship (all in the same age category). In order to “play down”, athletes must register, pay and attend both tryouts (correct age level and lower age level). It is essential for athletes to attend both tryouts in order to ensure athletes are appropriately evaluated, as well as to provide athletes greater opportunity to be placed on a team.  Please email info@ducksvolleyball.ca to communicate with the Selection Committee about your desire to “play down”.

We are just finalizing team fees for the season. First deposits are to be paid using TeamSnap – 

The Ducks only accept TeamSnap payments. Teamsnap is an online registration system that collects registration fees using visa/mastercard. Using TeamSnap as our primary and only method of collecting payments, it vastly reduces the amount of administrative book-keeping required for transactions.

Tax & Transaction Fees:
All Ducks fees are subject to GST as well as the credit card processing fee. This fee is 2.99% of the total cost plus $0.99 per transaction.

Deposit, Instalment & Full Payment options
Deposits are due upon Athlete acceptance of their position on their team/club. Athletes will be sent a direct link to complete payment.
2nd and final payment is due January 31, 2026

Families are welcome to set up an instalment plan based on on their budget and timeline. Deposits cannot be put on an instalment plan. If you would like to set up an instalment plan, please contact info@ducksvolleyball.ca and we will work out a schedule for payments. Full payment of season fees must be completed by April 30, 2026

Ducks teams are NOT pre-selected! Our coaches have been watching players and making lists of players who they think have potential to play for Ducks. Our selection process is transparent, and provides all athletes an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Until we know who actually tries out for Ducks, and if offered, who chooses to play for Ducks, we don’t know which players are on teams. All athletes will receive an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities, to be selected to a Ducks team.

Ducks train throughout the Tri-Cities: Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and often at Harry Jerome Sports Centre. We train in elementary, middle and high school gyms.

Exact times and locations vary based on the coaches’ availability on the team you are placed on. Times are not finalized at this time. Times will be available by December.

There is no structured league play in volleyball. The Ducks season schedule is tournament based and the schedule will be set by each coach. The season of play is January to early May.

What Do Registration Fees Cover?

• A ticket to our year end Ducks banquet
• Official individual and team photo
• Club wide access to Team Snap 
• Gym rental / 2 practices a week
• Coaching certification and training
• Coaching honorariums
• Gear: Socks, 2 Warm up tshirts, 2 jerseys (junior ducks will have 1 jersey)
•  
•  Tournaments:
  • Girls: Qualifiers and Provincial Championships, 4-5 local and/or Volleyball BC tournaments
    • Junior Ducks will have 2-3 local and/or Volleyball BC tournaments
  • Boys: Qualifiers and Provincial Championships, 4-5 local and/or Volleyball BC tournaments

In addition Elite teams will receive:
– Entry fee for 1-2 high profile tournaments and/or Power League entry (boys teams when applicable and/or available). *15U-18U Elite teams will attend Matt Hartner Tournament
– Entrance fee for National Championships
– 3 practices a week
– Increased access to our Technical Director
– Access to recruiting support staff

Each season the Ducks use the Early Signing Date to pre-sign athletes for our 15-1, 16-1, 17-1 and 18-1 teams. Volleyball BC put the Early Signing Date in place to accommodate and promote loyalty between athletes and clubs, returning athletes are permitted to sign with their previous club during the Early Signing Date.  Athletes that choose not to sign early we strongly encourage to attend Ducks Tryouts. Athletes that sign with their previous club are not permitted to attend tryouts for other clubs.  The early signing period ends at 6 pm on October 15, 2025

EARLY SIGNING | The Early Signing Period is used for age levels 15U – 18U, for both male and female teams. Clubs are allowed to offer athletes, who were members of the club the previous season, placement into the club, and/or a specific team, prior to tryouts. Athletes who are early signed are not guaranteed to be placed on a specific team (unless specifically designated by the Ducks Executive). By accepting an early sign, athletes are committing to the Ducks, and are guaranteed to be placed on a Ducks team for the 2026 season. Early signed athletes are expected to attend tryouts to be identified to a specific team of their level. Tryouts are essential to provide equitable opportunities for new athletes to join the club as well as for previous athletes to demonstrate their skill and abilities, and be identified accurately to a team. 

OPEN TRYOUTS | The Tryout Period will be used for all age levels this season, for both male and female teams. 12U – 18U athletes that are not early signed, as well as athletes who are interested from other clubs, and the community, are encouraged to attend tryouts. Tryouts are essential to provide equitable opportunities for new athletes to join the club a well as for previous athletes to demonstrate their skill and abilities, and be identified accurately to a team.

 The Early Signing Period will be used for age levels 15U – 18U, for both male and female teams (the Ducks will not be using Early Signing for 12U, 13U and 14U). Athletes who are early signed are not guaranteed to be placed on a specific team (unless specifically designated by the Ducks Executive). By accepting early signing, athletes are committing to the Ducks, and are guaranteed to be placed on a Ducks team for the 2026 season. Early signed athletes are expected to attend tryouts to be identified to a specific team of their level. 

The number of athletes that will be early signed will vary by age group, and will be based on various factors, including gym availability,  coaches, athletes ability level, and number of teams being offered, however, the Ducks will look to early sign between 40-50% of our athletes from the previous season in applicable age groups. For example, if the Ducks only have the capacity to run 2 teams at an age group, we may look to early sign 12 athletes out of 24 spots. This allows the opportunity for new athletes to join the club, while fostering loyalty with our previous athletes. The Tryout Period will be used to identify remaining athletes, as well as place athletes on specific teams.

Key Points:
– Information regarding early signing offers, dates, and teams being offered for 2026 are listed above. 
– Clubs may sign up to 12 athletes per team | Clubs may only sign athletes that were a part of their club for the 2025 season.
– Athletes may still receive an early signing invitation later in the early signing period if another athlete declines their offer. Please be patient through this time frame.
– Athletes that early signed are not guaranteed playing time or specific team placement (unless specifically designated by the Ducks Executive), the Ducks will hold tryouts to determine final athlete placement on teams.
– Athletes that are not early signed are strongly encouraged to attend Ducks tryouts. Things can change over time, we may be able to add more teams, more coaches, and/or more spots may become available for various reasons.

HOUSE TEAMS |12U – 15U female athletes that are not identified to a club team, that attended tryouts, will be offered priority placement in one of our Ducks House Teams.

If you are offered a spot on a team for the 2026 season, you will be removed from the Ducks House team program to make room for athletes who have not been offered positions. The number of athletes who can participate will be based on gym and coach availability. Athletes will be offered positions based on their evaluations from tryouts.

Volleyball BC has strict rules for clubs to contact athletes and families regarding early signing and positions offered on teams.

According to the VBC Handbook, page 8- Clubs are only permitted to contact athletes between the hours of 4:00 – 9:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekends 

This has an exception if the athlete has already accepted a position on the club, please be patient as we adhere to the rules set forth by VBC.