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Notes from our daughter’s first volleyball tournament.
Traveling out of state for kids’ sports can be a daunting proposition for the uninitiated. The unknown costs, logistics, and coordination to make it all happen successfully can be a challenge for even the most seasoned parent. Below is not necessarily a ‘How-To’ article, but some notes I took my ex-wife, who was not able to attend that tournament and found the notes very helpful. I hope they are for you as well.
What we learned:
First, never forget why we are doing this. Yes, everybody wants to get a scholarship to a D1 program, but the fact is most will not. What other benefits do we obtain that add value? Is this all worth it?
- The Benefits of Playing a club sport despite the costs became very evident during our first tournament. Don’t forget:
- Physical Activity and Health: Volleyball builds stamina, improves coordination, and promotes a healthier lifestyle.
- Skill Development: Not just physical skills needed to play volleyball. Teamwork, leadership, time management, and discipline are learned on and off the court. This will continue to be fostered as the team grows up together and will carry over into whatever walk of like our girl decides to pursue. (for my family, this is the most important value and the main reason for entering club sports)
- Social and Emotional Growth: My daughter’s interactions with teammates fostered friendships, resilience, and began to increase her self-esteem.
- Scholarships and Future Opportunities: While not guaranteed, sports can lead to college scholarships and careers in related fields.
Our first tournament experience highlighted the financial commitments involved in youth club volleyball.
The Costs of Club Volleyball: Our first tournament experience highlighted the financial commitments involved in youth club volleyball. Budgeting is everything, even budgeting for the unknown. It seems like there will always be something that we ‘forgot’ or that unexpectedly comes up like an extra team dinner. Have those funds accounted for.
The Cost of Club Volleyball: League and Tournament Fees: Have you pre-paid for the tournament admission? If not, make sure you have that money with you.
Travel and Lodging: Flights, hotel stays, and local transportation. Will you break down and get your daughter a snack or meal at the airport? Do you need an Uber from the airport to the hotel, or did you reserve a rental? Reserving a rental ahead of time is crucial, remember there are thousands of people at the tournament that are flying in just like you. Do not expect to just walk up to the ticket counter and rent a car without a reservation.
The biggest surprise for me were the Uber prices. They certainly increase their pricing for these events.
Team Clothing, Equipment, and Gear: Ensuring our girl had everything she needed to perform her best. Most teams require that the girls put everything they need for the tournament in their backpack and carry it on to the plane.
Travel and Logistics The first (and all subsequent) tournament involved careful planning to make travel and lodging seamless:
Packing: One checked bag sufficed for the trip. Some parents managed with just carry-ons, which is a great option for shorter stays.
Airport Security: Long waits during a holiday weekend added stress. Packing snacks and planning for delays is a must.
Transportation: While we opted for Uber rides to and from the airport, the tournament shuttle might be a better option next time. Information about tournament shuttles is usually on the tournament website.
Hotel Stay: Luggage storage was convenient at both the hotel and tournament venue. Some tournaments do not allow attendees to bring in luggage, you may want to research this ahead of time and plan for your baggage after you check out of the hotel on the last day of tournaments.
Additional Tournament Tips for Parents
Food trucks were available, but we only discovered on the last day. (most tournaments do not seem to have food trucks, this is a great find when they do have them!)
Room service is pricey; the hotel’s lobby market offered similar food at half the cost. (still more than the market that was 3 blocks away – plan)
Bringing or buying PB&J supplies, protein bars, and snacks for the hotel room saved us money and time.
Parent hospitality rooms provided a quiet space between games. Knowing the schedule ahead of time is a good idea.
Wristbands for entry should be obtained first thing to avoid lines.
Stay flexible – If kids want to socialize with teammates, adjust plans accordingly. My kid missed a chance to hang out with her friends on the first night because of our dinner plans. Talk to other parents ahead of time to get an idea of group meals. Teams will usually require one “Team Dinner” for every tournament, but the parents may decide to have additional meals together.
Tournament Days
Day 1:
- Breakfast in the hotel with other parents set a good tone for the day.
- Our focus was on conserving energy, so we kept activities low-key.
- Leftovers from dinner became a convenient post-tournament meal.
Day 2:
- Our athlete’s fatigue showed by the afternoon on the second day, possibly due to a mix of a packed schedule, reduced stamina, and lack of electrolytes. Bringing powdered electrolytes next time will help.
Day 3:
- Prepped PB&J sandwiches and snacks kept our girl fueled.
- After the tournament we needed to go directly to the airport. Like everyone else, we faced long waits at the airport. Carrying extra snacks and water proved essential.
Packing Checklist for Next Time Here are items that made a difference and a few we’ll bring in the future:
Must-Haves: Protein bars, peanut butter, jelly, bread, veggie chips, fruit.
Wish List:
- Water purifier bottle (we camp a lot, a Grayl would have been perfection) or extra bottled water.
- Powdered electrolytes for hydration.
- Ziplock bags for sandwiches and ice packs.
- A butter knife and small cutting board (helpful for PB&J prep). You may need to scrounge for a butter knife, but a small cutting board can easily pack into luggage.
- Bananas for quick energy boosts. There is usually a market close to the team hotel, if the hotel does not have fruit on site (or it is too expensive)
- Bento boxes for organized snacks. I think a Bento box is worth the weight penalty and comes in handy when you are in a rush.
Remember to be flexible!
Final Thoughts That first tournament was an incredible experience for our girl and the whole family. While there were a few hiccups, we learned valuable lessons about planning, packing, and pacing. Volleyball tournaments are about more than just the games; they’re an opportunity to build memories, relationships, and life skills. We’re looking forward to the next adventure!
