Interested in coaching, Please contact Rob at Coach@lumbercityvc.com.
To create an environment where player develop skills, attitude, and effort which allows them to compete at sectional and state championship level. Thus, providing opportunities in college and beyond.
Mission
To create an affordable club that focuses on learning the skills, techniques, strategies, correct attitude, sportsmanship, best effort, teamwork, fitness, develop friendship, and most important, how to enjoy the game.
(A bi-product of this should be the enjoyment of winning)
MOTTO
Right Attitude • Learn Skills • Best Effort • Have Fun
History
Lumber City Volleyball Club was started by Robert Albert in October of 2019, after his son, Jacob, made the modify team for North Tonawanda. They started practicing on Sunday afternoon at the Third Warder Social Club. After a few weeks of practice and playing one on one, a few other players wanted to join. As the modify season was half way done, Rob looked for a close and affordable option to improve his sons’ skills year-round. Not finding one, and after and exciting winning modify season, he saw the potential of the entire team practicing together and talked to Brian Starr about starting a Club in North Tonawanda. Several kids showed interest, and each week the Sunday practice grew, and momentum for the club started to form. Rob then approached the Third Warder Club to see if they would support us and allow us to practice each Sunday and Wednesday, they did, and the Lumber City Volleyball Club was established.
The original goal Rob and Brian had for the Club, was to practice year-round and maybe play in a tournament or two. However, the kids and parents support for a club poured out, and the club grew quickly to 13 kids, and 4 tournaments. The need for equipment, balls, coaching, uniforms, practice gear, etc.. became a concern. The Third Warder Club, Before & After Fitness Center and Nash Road Church stepped up as sponsors, and the kids worked hard to sell over 1300 candy bars. A logo was created, and the club was official.
Today, the goal is to create an affordable club that focuses on learning the skills & techniques, strategies, correct attitude, sportsmanship, effort needed, and how to enjoy the game. The Club is an all volunteers and is ran by Robert Albert. Coach Rob has played volleyball since 1985, and stated coaching in 2019. He is a NYS Level 1 Certified NFHS coach, North Tonawanda School Volleyball Coach, and USA Volleyball Certified.
We currently have 4 teams for ages 13-18 from 16 different school districts with over half our players being new to club volleyball in WNY.
Our season runs Nov-March, this allows player to participate in school spring sports.
2023/2024 Age Range:
Age group for this club are 14-18. please see below to confirm if you qualify for this club.
14 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2010
15 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2009
16 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2008
17 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2007
18 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2006
Practice Time:
Practice time will be once during the week after school, and once on the weekend. We have the gym from 1-8 on Sundays and Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:30. Practice will be an hour and a half to two hours long. Exact time will be determined by coach each year.
For the 2024/2025 season below is the schedule
15U Sunday 6:00-8:00, Tus 4:30-6:30
16U Monday & Friday 4:30-6:30
17U Sunday 1:00-3:00, Wed 4:30-6:30
18U Sunday & Thursday 4:00-6:00
Location: St. Mark Lutheran Church 1135 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda NY 14120.
Tournaments:
We normally do 5 touraments a year (one being out of state 2 day tournament - which requires hotel stay), and 2-3 mini-tournaments/scrimmages.
Normally tournaments are on Sundays, WEVA (USA Volleyball reginal division) is one organization that run tournaments in the area.
Season nomrally is over end of March, prior to schools spring sports starting.
Scrimmages:
We may scrimmage between other local clubs, this will involve calling the coaches and arranging a date. Dates TBA.
Estimate Cost per player: Core Players pay $750 Paid to Club, and aprox. $68.00 paid direct to USA Volleyball with online registration.
Each player will receive a uniform, shorts, warmup shirt, and hoodie.
Core, Support & Practice Player:
Normally we select 9-10 players on the team, and select 2-3 Support or Practice Player.
The Support Player position is design to improve the player skill during the season at our practices. They are encourage to attend tournaments, but must understand that play time will be minimum. Support Players will need to be prepared to play in tournaments due to sickness, family events, injury, work, etc..., or if they improve faster than expected they can move to a Core Player. At tournaments we try to get them in during regular play, but normally not during playoff or championship matches. Support Players will have to work hard in practice, and earn their spot on the court. Support Players are player that have the right attitude and work hard, but have not developed the skill that the core players have. Support Players practice with the core players to allow for 6v6 play during practice. They are treated similar to a core player, but will have limited court time due to there skill set. The coaches goal is to get them to (or beyond) the core player skillset. It is possible a support player will advance to a core player. Membership for Support Players are reduced by $100.
A Practice Player is a player that wants to work on his volleyball skills, however either can not commit to tournaments due to playing another sport (we do have players that do club and school sport at the same time), travel issue, etc.., is not at the quality level of the other players or has financial issues. These players will only be available to attend practices, and will not get a uniform, warmup or other gear. The cost for this will be $250 off the regular price. The Coach will make the decision to accept practice players or not.
USA Volleyball:
Every youth must join USA Volleyball. It gives us insurance, and allows us to play in certain tournaments, along with other benefits of USA Volleyball membership. It also provides youth protection training for the coaches. All players must have health insurance. Link to sign up for USA volleyball is on Registaration Page. Cost is around $23 for National, and around $46 for WEVA.
Tryouts:
Traditionally we do not have tryouts and first take the existing Lumber City players, then go by a first come basis until we get to about 10 players. We then can select more players based on the team needs (for example if we need a setter, we might decline a hitter but take a setter) the player skill level is a factor at this point too. We also look for player who have good attitude and are coachable (task-involved) and not players trying to prove themselves to us (such as Ego-Involved). On occasion we have had tryout for the remaining positions. These decision are made by the coach, and the coach also determines how many players to accept on the team. After August first or if we have 10 players, Lumber city players will be in this category if they did not register.
Parent Leader Position (if interested email us):
The basic goal of this position is to communicate with the parents. You will get all the exciting inside scoop before it is released to the other members, allowing you to see cool excel spreadsheets and more. The goal of this position is to free up the coaches to focus on “coaching” and improve the experience for the parents and players. A few example: help with directions to location, hotel information, planning a team meal at 2 day tourney, making sure forms are turned in, be a parent input on club decision, helping with getting responses from parents, info about venues (ie: hot shots gym is cold, parking bad at armory so get there early…), getting parents feedback, etc..
If you are interested in joining, have any questions/comments please email (coach@lumbercityvc.com )
Quotes about our Club:
"I love Lumber City volleyball club because I have improved tenfold as a player with the help of great coaching, and enjoyed having many great experiences with my teammates." Jacob N, Player 17U
"Lumber City Volleyball has a strong kid-centered focus. The culture is kind and accepting to all players and families. The coaches in the program are selfless and continually work to positively get the best out of their players both on and off the court. I have been coaching at the high school and collegiate level collectively for 23 years, and I could not be more impressed with what Lumber City Volleyball has to offer." Keith W, Parent 14U
"What I am so impressed about this organization is that kids have really improved, and are recognizing that no matter what skill level they are, they are expected to play and preform at tournaments. This has boosted their confidence and their interest in the sport. On a personal note, my son has shown his love for playing volleyball again, which is a win no matter what the scoreboard shows." Matt A, Coach/Parent 15U
"Lumber City Volleyball Club has been an amazing experience for my son in this first year of his involvement. Our family is no stranger to travel sports and we are very impressed with all that Lumber City has offered our son. Starting with an affordable price, complete uniform, multiple practices per week that focus on fundamentals paired with skill foundations and an onus on what it means to succeed as a team. We feel very blessed as his team has shown tremendous improvements but most importantly our son has expressed to us how much fun he has had being a part of this team!” Kelly P, Parent, 14U
"After two seasons of volleyball at school my son enjoyed the sport, but really wanted to improve. Lumber City Volleyball gives him additional practice and play time as well as coaching guidance for improving his form, developing skills, sportsmanship and being part of a team with the community beyond his school. I believe without this opportunity to play and improve, his interest in the sport would have dwindled. Instead Lumber City Volleyball allows him to strengthen his skills and keep his enthusiasm for volleyball." Cheryl B, Parent 16U
"We love Lumber City since it gives my son the opportunity to play a sport he loves! They offer an affordable and locally convenient club with knowledgeable and caring coaches!" Jessica, Parent, 15U
"Lumber City Volleyball has given my son the freedom to work on his personal athletic goals each season while working with his strengths to best place him for team success. Due to their attentive coaching staff and unbeatable culture of molding athletes into leaders, my son feels a sense of accomplishment regardless of the final score." Debbie, Parent, 17U
Our son likes to be involved in many different activities. Lumber City allows him the flexibility to play volleyball and still experience all that high school has to offer." Chrissy, Parent, 16U
"We really are sincerely grateful to have found Lumber City VC." Parent, 14U
"Lumber City volleyball club has been the best thing for my son! There are not many local boys leagues to play in and some charge thousands which is not practical for some family's! This league has really made my son feel at home and very welcomed. Everything we have been through in just this season has been above and beyond my expectations. We will be promoting this league to all friends and family's who have someone interested! " Courtney, Parent, 14U
"Hi. Just wanted to say how much we’ve loved being part of this club this year. So many other clubs were inaccessible, either because of their location or cost, so we were very happy when we found Lumber City or he never would have been able to play. He said he likes his teammates and coach a lot, that everyone is very friendly and chill and he’s really enjoyed being part of the team all around." Thanks for all you’re doing!
Melissa, Parent 14U
