New Member Info

This page is designed to introduce new families to juniors club volleyball in the Old Dominion Region (ODR) of USA Volleyball

About the Old Dominion Region (ODR)

ODR is the regional governing body for USA Volleyball in most of Virginia. The region promotes the growth of volleyball and oversees:
● Membership and player eligibility
● SafeSport training and background screening requirements
● Club and coach certification
● Sanctioned tournaments and competition policies
● Codes of conduct for players, parents, spectators, and coaches

Getting Started: Registration & Membership

● Step 1: Go to the ODR Membership page
● Step 2: Create a SportsEngine Household Account. A parent/guardian sets up the household.
● Step 3: Purchase the Correct Membership. This is required for tryouts and competition.
● Step 4: Complete Waivers & SafeSport Minor Training. Adults working with juniors must also complete SafeSport Training and submit to background checks.

Age Definitions

USAV uses age-based divisions. Age is determined by your athlete’s birthdate. Check the current USAV Age Divisions Chart on the Resources page to confirm placement before tryouts.

Choosing a Club

Selecting a club is an important family decision. Although all ODR programs must comply with USA Volleyball and ODR rules, individual clubs can differ significantly in their philosophy, coaching style, expectations, training methods, and cost.

The Old Dominion Region does not control or set rules for the following areas:

Tryouts

• Format: Selection methods, drills, structure, and evaluation processes are determined entirely by each club.
• Dates and times: ODR sets only the earliest allowable start date. After that, clubs are free to choose their own schedule, including days, times, and duration.

Club Structure

• Number of teams and age groups: Determined by each club—often based on player availability, facility space, and staffing.
• Organization model: ODR does not regulate whether a club is nonprofit, for-profit, volunteer-run, or board-governed, as long as minimum ODR requirements are met.
• Coaches: Coaches must be certified through USA Volleyball, pass background checks, and follow a code of ethics. However, ODR does not oversee hiring decisions, team assignments, coaching philosophy, training methods, or practice structure.

Playing Time and Team Placement

• Team assignments: Clubs independently decide how many teams to form and where athletes are placed.
• Playing time: Determined solely by each team’s coaching staff and club philosophy.

Schedules

• Tournament selection: Clubs choose which tournaments to enter; ODR does not require participation in specific events.
• Club-hosted tournaments: Clubs manage all logistics, including facilities, parking, admissions policies, fees, team selection, scheduling, and event operations.

Financial Matters

• Club dues and fees: Families pay ODR only for annual memberships. All other costs (e.g., uniforms, travel, coaching fees) are set by the club.
• Refund policies: Each club determines its own refund policies if an athlete withdraws.
  Families looking for tips on how to select a club should consult the ODR’s guidelines for Choosing a Volleyball Club.

Tournaments: What Families Should Expect

At ODR-sanctioned tournaments:

• All coaches must be certified and background-screened
• Players must be on an official, verified roster
• Teams must have matching uniforms meeting USAV rules
• Spectators must follow the Parent & Spectator Code of Conduct

Parents should plan for/expect:

• Early morning arrival times
• Multiple matches per day
• Work team assignments (scorekeeping/line judging)

Parent/Spectator Code of Conduct

Parents and spectators at ODR/USAV events must follow the region’s Code of Conduct, which requires positive sportsmanship, respect for officials and facilities, and support for athletes and coaches without sideline coaching or criticism. Harassment, alcohol, weapons, and disruptive behavior are prohibited. Violations may result in removal from the event or future bans.

Transfers & Eligibility

Once a player competes in an ODR or USAV sanctioned tournament with a club, the ODR transfer policy bars them from switching to another club until the season is concluded. See the Resources page for the full version of the Player Transfer/Release Policy.

Safety & Compliance (SafeSport)

• ODR and USAV prioritize athlete safety. Requirements include:
  SafeSport training for adults
• Background screenings for all adults working with juniors
• Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)

Reporting Misconduct/Whistleblower Policy

Discrimination, harassment, bullying, hazing, and abusive behavior are strictly prohibited at all ODR-sanctioned activities and events. Anyone who experiences or witnesses inappropriate conduct—or suspects violations of laws, regulations, or ODR policies—is encouraged to report the incident(s) promptly to event staff, an ODR Board member, the Commissioner, or the Ethics and Eligibility Committee Chair. Contact information is available here.

All reports are taken seriously and are reviewed and investigated promptly and as confidentially as possible. Retaliation against anyone who makes a good-faith report is strictly forbidden. Individuals who violate these expectations may face disciplinary action, including removal from events or loss of participation privileges. Links to the Region’s Anti-Discrimination, Harassment, and Whistleblower policies may be found on the Resources page.