Youth Volleyball League Debuts Here

Clara Sturak
Associate editor

   The United States Youth Volleyball League (USYVL) will offer its program in Santa Monica for the first time this spring. According to founder and president Randy Sapoznik, USYVL is "an instructional league, similar to Little League or AYSO soccer, where volleyball is played in a safe, supervised environment." The league is open to youth ages 8 to 14. Special equipment is used, including three different weights of volleyballs (the oldest participants use a regulation ball), and a net that is raised in height each week, as skills improve.
   After playing volleyball at Pierce College in the late '80s, Sapoznik coached volleyball at the club, high school and professional levels. When the court supply manufacturing company he founded merged with Parkinson's Sports, he became their Vice President of Marketing. "[Parkinson Sports] was supporting another person who was going to start a youth volleyball league, but unfortunately, he passed away. We looked for someone else to do it and after some soul searching, I decided to take it on," he explains. 
   Sapoznik emphasizes that the program is focused on encouraging children to "do their best with their abilities." He says that the league, formed in 1997, has learned from the negative experiences of other youth sports leagues. Referring to recent incidences of parental rage at youth sporting events, he says, "Since we're a newer league, we have worked at creating our own culture [in order to] educate both the participants and their parents about the USYVL's mission, rules [and expectations about behavior]."
   USYVL's mission is summed up in the easy-to-remember acronym FAST:
   • Fun - While the program teaches children the skills necessary to excel in the sport of volleyball, the focus remains on participation, cooperation, sportsmanship, responsibility, and of course, fun! 
   • Action - Strength, endurance and improved coordination result from the weekly activity of the program. Furthermore, a season of league games is sure to provide plenty of exciting volleyball action. 
   • Skills - Skills are taught using technically correct methods for peak performance and safety. 
   • Teamwork - The USYVL is a family-oriented program where parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends are encouraged to become involved. Parents and volunteers assist with coaching, registration, check-in and equipment set-up. 
   In addition, the league follows an "every child plays" policy, and emphasizes positive reinforcement, which helps to build confidence and self-esteem in each child.
   Registration for USYVL's spring league is open until March 16. The eight-week instructional league begins on March 31and runs through June 16.  Teams meet twice a week at Clover Park. Practices are held on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and games are played on Saturday mornings. The program cost is $90. For more information or to register, call (888) 988-7985, or visit the USYVL website at www.usyvl.org.