How Much Is Club Volleyball Cost? A Comprehensive guide for Club Fees And Expenses To Start A Volleyball Club
How much is club volleyball? Joining a club volleyball team can be an exciting step for young players looking to improve their skills and face tougher competition. But competitive club volleyball often comes with a hefty price tag that covers fees, equipment, travel and more. This article will break down the various expenses to help you budget and prepare for club volleyball costs.
A Quick Intro to Club Volleyball
For those new to the world of competitive youth sports, club teams are more elite and demanding than community rec league teams. Clubs draw skilled players from across a region and form teams in different age brackets like 12U, 14U, 16U.
The club season typically runs from November through May or June, with teams practicing several times a week and traveling to regional tournaments on weekends. Club volleyball offers serious competition and helps talented players get exposure for college recruiting.
But all this high-level play and travel means increased expenses for players and families. So what exactly makes club volleyball so pricey? Let’s take a closer look.
How Much Is Club Volleyball Cost?
Here are some of the main fees and costs associated with joining a club volleyball team:
- Club fees: Annual club fees cover coaching, practice facilities and more. Fees often range from $500-$3,000+ per player depending on the level of play and competitiveness of the club.
- Uniform packages: Players must purchase uniform packages that include team jerseys, spandex, kneepads, bags and other gear. Expect to pay $200-$500.
- USA Volleyball membership: Players register with the national governing body USA Volleyball each year for around $75. This membership is required for insurance.
- Tournament fees: Many Clubs pay per team entry fees for each tournament they attend, usually passing this cost to families. Entry fees are commonly $100-$200 per tournament.
- Travel expenses: Players and parents upfront need to pay travel costs for their player like gas, flights, hotels, food, etc. Regional travel can add up fast.
When you add up these main fees – club, gear, USAV membership, tournaments, travel – the total cost per club volleyball season often reaches $2,000-$5,000 or more. And that’s before extra expenses we’ll cover below. Clearly, this is a major commitment!
Other Possible Club Fees to Factor In
In addition to the primary expenses listed above, here are some other potential costs that bump up the total price tag:
- Private coaching, camps, lessons
- Volleyball shoes, accessories
- Team bonding activities, banquets
- Parking, snacks, spending money on trips
- Injury treatment, physical therapy
- Hotels and car rental for parents
As you can see, club volleyball is a big investment. The total amount your family spends can vary greatly depending on the level of play, amount of travel and other variables.
Next let’s look at some specific factors that affect the overall cost.
Key Factors That Impact Total Club Volleyball Costs
Club volleyball costs can fluctuate widely depending on these key factors:
Level of Play
- Elite national clubs charge the highest fees given their demanding practice and travel schedules, experienced coaches and top-tier tournament participation. Expect total costs up to $8,000-$10,000.
- Regional clubs offer strong competition at mid-range prices, perhaps $3,000-$5,000 total.
- Local clubs provide basic introductory play for $500-$2,000 total per season.
The more elite the club, the more you’ll pay. But increased costs come with access to better coaching, facilities and college exposure.
Amount of Travel
- Clubs playing mostly smaller local tournaments throughout the season will have lower travel costs.
- Teams competing in weekend tournaments across their region or state have moderate travel expenses.
- National travel to events throughout the U.S. significantly increases airfare, hotel and transportation costs.
Choose a club with number of tournament locations that fit your budget. Be realistic about travel time too.
Club Reputation and Demand
- Well-known clubs with long histories and strong reputations often charge more because of high demand to join their programs.
- Younger clubs trying to grow have lower fees initially. But costs may rise as they become more established.
The most in-demand clubs don’t have to worry as much about limiting fees since they fill teams every year. Newer clubs may offer competitive prices to attract players and families.
Estimating Your Potential Club Volleyball Experience Cost
Now that you know the major expenses involved with club volleyball, how can you estimate total costs for your family? Here are some questions to help calculate your potential investment:
- Which clubs are you considering and how much are their annual fees?
- How far away are their typical tournament locations?
- How often do they travel vs play locally?
- Which expenses will you incur (hotels, flights, etc)?
- What gear packages and extra fees are required?
Tracking down specific numbers from prospective clubs and mapping out likely travel scenarios will provide estimates to determine if club volleyball fits in your family’s budget.
Also remember that fees often increase for higher age brackets given more travel and rising competition level. So while your 12U season may cost $2,000 total, your 14U or 16U years could potentially double. Consider the multi-year commitment.
Tips for Saving Total Cost On Club Volleyball Team
Club volleyball definitely requires a financial investment. But there are ways families can reduce costs if needed:
- Look for clubs that practice locally to limit travel time and expenses.
- Consider clubs affiliated with schools or recreation centers that may offer lower facility rates.
- Seek out new clubs just starting up that offer discounted intro pricing and package deals.
- Split travel costs with other families by sharing hotel rooms and rental vehicles.
- Search online swap sites for discounted used gear and equipment.
- Take advantage of team fundraisers and sponsorships that offset player fees.
- Apply for sports scholarships and financial assistance programs if eligible.
Being flexible and getting creative can help trim some expenses off the total cost of club volleyball participation.
Is It Worth To Start A Volleyball Club?
At the end of the day, families have to determine if the total cost of club volleyball provides enough value and opportunity to justify the significant commitment. Here are some benefits to weigh:
- Improved volleyball skills and competitive experience
- Exposure to college recruiters and coaches
- Advanced training from top coaches
- Bonding and friendships with teammates
- Increased confidence and personal growth
- Potential to earn a college athletic scholarship
- Memories of fun travel tournaments lasting a lifetime
For serious young volleyball players with their sights set on taking their game to the next level, club volleyball can definitely be worth the investment. The costs allow access to elite competition and experiences that community rec sports simply can’t match.
Just be sure your family evaluates all the expenses and understands the full commitment before diving into club volleyball. With proper planning and budgeting, your athlete can reap tremendous rewards from the volleyball, teamwork and life lessons gained from this special extended season of play.
Breaking Down the Costs on Club Volleyball Costs
Playing on a competitive club volleyball team clearly requires a substantial financial investment and travel commitment from players and families. Costs vary based on factors like level of play, amount of travel and club reputation. But at the typical range of $2,000-$5,000 per year, the fees allow access to some of the best coaching, facilities and competition opportunities available.
While the total cost may seem daunting, serious players gain so much from being part of a club volleyball team. Understanding all the expenses involved allows families to budget accordingly so their athlete can enjoy the full benefits of accelerated skill development, exposure and memories which club volleyball provides. With proper planning and creative cost-saving strategies, playing club can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
