PRESS RELEASE: 1 September, 2020

The Board of Directors of the RockMountain Region of USA Volleyball is delighted to announce the hiring of Mr. Keith Murlless as its new Executive Director. Mr Murlless brings with him a lifetime of volleyball experience, having served as a referee, coach, tournament director, club founder, USAV administrator, and player. 

“I’m delighted to be working with the RMR, and am most grateful to the Board of Directors for putting their trust in me. The RMR is a vibrant region, representing a strong coalition of clubs and a broad base of junior, adult and senior play,” said Mr. Murlless. "Our region enjoys a strong presence in the national volleyball community, and I look forward to the challenge of helping improve its programming and the service we offer to the RMR athletes and their families across our two-state footprint.” 

Keith will take the helm at RMR on September 1st. Longtime Rocky Mountain Commissioner Glenn Sapp will stay on for several months to assist the transition and to help “get the ball flying” despite the challenges offered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jim Henthorn, President of the RMR Board, said, “The RMR has enjoyed tremendous leadership for decades from our commissioner Glenn Sapp, who will forever have our gratitude for his contributions to volleyball in the region. At the same time, we are eager to move ahead with our new organizational structure with Keith Murlless leading the way.”

To All,

Due to the recent announcement by CHSAA, the RMR will be meeting with CHSAA, USAV, and other volleyball entities to determine what is the best plan for all organizations to work together.

Once plans are made the RMR will contact club directors and post the information on the RMR website.  We appreciate your patience while we devise a plan.

NEW for the 2021 SEASON

GIRLS' 18 AND UNDER WAIVERED PLAYER: 

Players who were born on or after September 1, 2002, (who are defined as 18 & under by the USAV Age Definition) and are in the 11th grade for the current academic year are eligible to compete in the 17 & under division. For example: A 17 year old female player who is considered by the Age Definition to compete on an 18s team and is still in the 11th grade for the current academic year, may compete on their 17s team in a qualifying division for both NQs and GJNC with a waiver from their region.

Please note: the frozen player rule would still be enforced.  A player can play on both a 17s & 18s team during the season but would become frozen to a roster with whatever team they qualify with first and would no longer be eligible to play for both teams in qualification.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 23, 2020) – USA Volleyball has announced that the 2020 USA National Beach Tour Junior Championship will be held July 21-26 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, AL in partnership with Rally Volleyball.  Athletes who have received a bid at a Beach National Qualifier will be top seeded with other registrants all qualifying to play in the open division.

“USAV is excited to be holding the nation’s premiere Junior National Championships this year for the first time in Alabama” USAV President and CEO Jamie Davis said. “We know that junior athletes and their families have been missing volleyball during the shutdown and we have planned extensive and strict safety protocols to protect the players, officials coaches and fans.  The Junior Championships are a great place for the top American youth players to test their skills against some of the best players in the country.” 

“We are honored to assist USAV in hosting this premier event during this challenging time” stated Colleen Craig, CEO of Rally Volleyball. “John Hunt Park offers a great inland alternative for beach volleyball.  The complex boosts a brand-new premier beach facility including air-conditioned bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, wi-fi, power, water sprinkling system for the sand, and lights on all the courts, to name a few of the amenities.”

The schedule for the event is as follows:

12U and 16U Age Divisions:
July 21: Pool play
July 22: Pool play
July 23: Playoffs

14U and 18U Age Divisions:
July 24: Pool play
July 25: Pool play
July 26: Playoffs

The top three teams in each age group receive medals and prize packs.  Admission for spectators is free. 

Register now at https://usav.bracketpal.com/signup/124.

We are excited to announce that the beach season is open! Go to the beach page for all new information.

USA Volleyball released a statement today condemning racism and standing in solidarity with the victims.  The message has been posted across our social media platforms and on our website.

Here is the link to our Instagram post – FYI:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3LjLGH9CC/

Please help us share this message so that hopefully we can help make a difference.

Thanks,

JD

Jamie Davis President and CEO 4065 Sinton Rd., Ste. 200  Colorado Springs, CO  80907  T: (719) 228-6800

USA Volleyball (USAV) has prepared Return to Play Guidelines for region leaders, club directors, event promoters, venue operators, members and families to provide guidance as volleyball activities begin to recommence across the United States.

The following recommendations are not intended or implied to be mandates. Many of these recommendations are based upon current guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Federal government agencies. The knowledge surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing and circumstances are different based on geographic region. Therefore, region leaders, club directors, event promoters and venue operators should adhere to their state and local guidelines when determining their own re-opening policies and procedures.

USAV will be resuming sanctioning of activities on May 15, 2020. All USAV sanctioned activities will be required to adhere to the most stringent federal, state or local guideline for their respective areas. USAV insurance coverage will only be provided for activities that are allowed under such government directives.

Until COVID-19 is either eradicated, a vaccine is developed, or a cure is found, there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of infection and as a result USAV strongly encourages all participants to follow these recommendations as safety precautions. The information in this document is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does USAV or its forty (40) Regional Volleyball Associations (Region(s)) assume any liability or responsibility for the recommendations provided herein.

As referenced in our communication on April 24th, a “return to play” task force has established by USA Volleyball to create a comprehensive roadmap to safely restart USAV’s sanctioning of activities when it is appropriate.  The task force has been meeting diligently and gathering information from United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), medical experts, government entities, volleyball clubs and other national governing bodies to help pave our course of action.  At this point, the group believes that it is premature to safely commence play and thus USA Volleyball is extending the elimination of sanctions for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through May 22, 2020.

Virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings are permitted during this period of sanction suspension. Any virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings involving minors are subject to requirements of MAAPP, specifically the regulations on electronic communications and one-on-one interactions. These requirements include the following:

1. All virtual trainings/coaching/meetings must be “observable and interruptible,” able to be ended at any time, and have at least two applicable adults on each session, i.e., coach and assistant, coach and club director, etc.
2. All parents/guardians must be provided the code or link to join the virtual session.
3. All parents/guardians must sign a waiver in advance as these sessions could be viewed as individual training. A record of which clubs/coaches have been approved to conduct these sessions should be kept. USAV has created a standardized waiver form if you care to use it.
4. If a minor athlete ends up emailing a video to a coach for feedback or additional coaching, the coach needs to copy the parent/guardian and/or other applicable adult on all correspondences.

To be clear, virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings will only be considered sanctioned so long as the above requirements are followed.

USA Volleyball has been asked by local clubs whether such ban applies to club activities covered under the club’s own (non-USA Volleyball) insurance. In these situations, USA Volleyball strongly encourages all member clubs and coaches to adhere to USA Volleyball’s policies. However, should a club decide to voluntarily disregard those policies and assume all risks associated therewith, we recommend that the club adhere to CDC; local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations when deciding whether or not to host practices or individual training sessions. If a club does host practice or individual training sessions, those activities would be considered a non-sanctioned activity by USA Volleyball and thus NOT covered by USA Volleyball insurance.

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

USA Volleyball is monitoring the situation daily and will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

USA Volleyball is extending the elimination of sanctions for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through April 30, 2020. USA Volleyball is monitoring the situation daily and will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

USA Volleyball has been asked by local clubs whether such ban applies to club activities covered under the club’s own (non-USA Volleyball) insurance. In these situations, USA Volleyball strongly encourages all member clubs and coaches to adhere to USA Volleyball’s policies. However, should a club decide to voluntarily disregard those policies and assume all risks associated therewith, we recommend that the club adhere to CDC; local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations when deciding whether or not to host practices or individual training sessions. If a club does host practice or individual training sessions, those activities would be considered a non-sanctioned activity by USA Volleyball and thus NOT covered by USA Volleyball insurance.

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

To view this email as a web page click here.

Dear RMR Members and Families:

Hoping all of you are in good health.

The RMR Board of Directors met last Monday to discuss the CONVID-19 situation and how it is affecting the RMR and it's members.

Right now and until at least April 30th, the RMR will follow the federal guidelines for social distancing.  Unfortunately, Volleyball does not fall into the category of essential business.  The RMR will not be conducting any sanctioned events until at least after that date.

The RMR is not sanctioning any events including but not limited to practices, private lessons, individual practices, leagues or tournaments until further notice. 

We ask our members to be socially responsible and not participate in any such activities until the COVID-19 bans/restrictions are removed. 

On the brighter side, again depending upon circumstances, USAV has sent out the following information:   

GJNC's will be conducted in Dallas between June 24th and July 4th for the 17 & Under teams.

BJNC's will be conducted in Reno between June 27th and July 4th for all Boys teams.

The 18's GJNC has been postponed and will now be conducted in Reno between June 23rd & June 25th.

With that in mind, the RMR is tentatively asking Clubs and you to save the dates of May 30-31 or possibly June 13-14 to hold the Regional Qualifier for the Girls National Championships.  These dates would include the RMR 18's teams that wish to participate.

The RMR Board of Directors will convene again on April 9th to consider the most current information and send out another update shortly thereafter.

Thank you and stay healthy;

Glenn Sapp

RMR Commissioner

RMR Members and Families,

Below are a few updates received from USAV.

From Kristy Cox, Director of Events USAV

We know many of you have questions with all the cancellations due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus on how the GJNC qualification process will work and if we will extend qualification.  As you know, the canvas is changing daily so we can’t give any definite answers right now. We do have contingency plans set in place depending how things play out the next couple of weeks.  At this time, we do not intend to cancel any of our Championships.  We have decided to extend the GJNC qualification season through June 14th.  We hope this will help many of you as you are looking for options to reschedule your region bid events.

From Jamie Davis, Chief Executive Officer of USAV

 As a benefit to our membership, we have established a COVID-19 Family Resources page (https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/features/~/link.aspx?_id=B64FD3DF4C4F4E3AB5D4EDB6483E7825&_z=z)  providing resources to our families on a variety of topics including:

·       Talking to Your Kids about COVID-19

·       Activities for Kids During Quarantine

·       General COVID-19 Resources

·       Tips For Adults

·       Volleyball Training/Tips/Fun Stuff on Social Media

·       Digital Security

Please feel free to let your members know about this enhancement to the resources being provided. Thanks, stay safe and Go USA!

Stay Safe and Healthy,

Glenn Sapp

March 19, 2020 Update 

USA Volleyball is announcing the elimination of sanctions for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through April 15, 2020. USA Volleyball is monitoring the situation daily and will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

USA Volleyball has been asked by local clubs whether such ban applies to club activities covered under the club’s own (non-USA Volleyball) insurance. In these situations, USA Volleyball strongly encourages all member clubs and coaches to adhere to USA Volleyball’s policies. However, should a club decide to voluntarily disregard those policies and assume all risks associated therewith, we recommend that the club adhere to CDC; local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations when deciding whether or not to host practices or individual training sessions. If a club does host practice or individual training sessions, those activities would be considered a non-sanctioned activity by USA Volleyball and thus NOT covered by USA Volleyball insurance.

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

Dear Members and their Families:

It has come to the RMR's attention that some clubs in the region are changing the terminology to their constituents that they are conducting practices, leagues and private lessons that are NOT sanctioned by USAV and or the RMR.  The clubs make all sorts of assertions that they are taking precautions to stave off the CONVID-19 virus.  The RMR finds these actions to be reckless and irresponsible and lacking common sense given the USAV, RMR, national, state and local concerns for social distancing and is NOT protecting our Members and their Families.

At this time, we are asking all members to NOT attend volleyball practices, leagues or private lessons.  This could be unsafe for members and their families.  Why else would so many schools be closed and governmental warnings about social distancing.  In the scope of everything that is happening, Volleyball is really a trivial thing to forgo.

In one of the last emails sent out by the RMR, it indicated that the RMR Board of Directors would be conducting a telephonic meeting on Monday March 16th.  In light of the USAV ban and no new current information, the BOD will now conduct an in person meeting on Monday March 23rd and hopefully will have more information and guidance from USAV.  We will still keep our members and their families informed of developments by USAV and the Region as they become available. 

Stay healthy and well;

Glenn Sapp

RMR Commissioner  

Dear RMR Members and Families:

COVID-19 is a constantly changing and evolving situation.

We understand that earlier today we sent out an email detailing the current situation for our RMR Membership. Since that time, things have evolved and changed.  Effective at 11:59pm on Friday March 13th, all USAV and RMR events, including practices, private lessons or anything covered by USA and RMR insureance. All activities are banned through March 31st.  This will include Power 5 Odd and Mixed age that was to take place on Sunday March 29th.  Please refer to the link in the message below or the RMR website for additional updates and information.

This is the email recieved from USAV to the RMR Commissioner earlier today:

"We are continuing to monitor the status of COVID-19 coronavirus.  In the interest of welfare and safety of our membership, USA Volleyball is eliminating the sanctioning for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) effective 11:59pm, Friday, March 13th.  This ban on all USA Volleyball sanctioned activities extends through March 31st.  We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will provide periodic updates as information becomes more apparent.  Please refer to (https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/features/usa-volleyball-response-on-coronavirus) for the latest updated information."

Safety and Health to all of our Members and Families;

Glenn Sapp

RMR Commissioner 

If you have questions about Colorado Crossroads and the corona virus, please contact Colorado Crossroads.  The RMR is not responsible for making decision with that tournament.  For the latest information that we have regarding it, please see below and we will keep our site as up to date as we can with information.

March 9, 2020 update

In recent days, we have received several inquiries from individuals asking the status of USA Volleyball-organized and -sanctioned events as a result of the coronavirus. We are monitoring the situation very closely and are in contact with local authorities regarding each event. At this time, we have elected not to make any sweeping decisions regarding USA Volleyball-sanctioned events but rather address each according to the individual circumstances. We will follow and comply with any cancellation instructions levied by such local authorities.

Until further notice we are asking that all team handshakes/high fives/etc. be suspended and that teams and organizers follow all recommended precautionary measures.

Event Updates

For information on upcoming qualifier, bid and other tournaments, please select your preferred tournament below. USAV-organized events such as Sunshine Classic have information in each section. For updates on USAV-sanctioned tournaments organized by other groups, you'll need to visit that tournament's webpage for the latest information. A link will be provided to each qualifier's page. Links for all qualifiers are also available on our Girls Qualifiers page. 

Note: if you have questions about a regional event, please visit the hosting region's website or contact the region directly. 

Last updated March 9, 2020

Colorado Crossroads

Colorado Crossroads is a USAV-sanctioned event. For the latest information about the status of the qualifier, visit the Colorado Crossroads webpage.

Statement from Visit Denver

Visit Denver issued a letter regarding the Coronavirus and Denver's emergency preparedness plan.

Statement from the City of Denver's webpage (issued March 3, 2020)

Denver remains open and welcomes visitors, groups and business travelers to the city. Denver International Airport (DEN) is currently not on the list of airports considered high risk by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In the event of an emergency, incident or health threat, VISIT Denver, in coordination with the city, follows an emergency preparedness plan of action that includes a communication protocol with local venues and organizations such as DEN, Colorado Convention Center, Denver hotel community, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, City & County of Denver Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

For the latest information on the coronavirus, see the CDC's website as well as its helpful information for travelers.

Additional Resources

City of Denver’s Local Preparation and Coordination Info

State of Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment COVID-19 Info

U.S. Travel Association's Emergency Preparedness and Response: Coronavirus Toolkit

The RMR does not dictate whether teams or participants should or should not travel in any inclement weather or other conditions. Club/Team travel to any RMR event is always at your own risk and expense . In the event of road closures (verifiable by State Patrol) due to inclement weather on the date of the tournament, it is the responsibility of the Club/Team Representative to notify the Tournament Director that the team will not be participating in the tournament. Only notify the RMR Office if the Tournament Director can not be reached. The team will forfeit all matches which will result in receiving last place in that division. If deemed appropriate, the Junior Committee of the RMR Board of Directors may reimburse tournament entry fee (s) based on the above noted criteria.

303VBA 16 Mizuno boys team won a bid over the weekend at the SCVA Invitational!

We are thrilled to formally announce the commencement of a new "Home" for NORCO Juniors Volleyball Club that will be located in the Centerra Community of Northern Colorado. Our vision over the last 35 years has always been about offering our NORCO families the best program possible and this new facility will better serve everyone with more space for training, new programs and a much larger parking lot.

Our current facility is 29,0000 sq. ft., with 6 courts and a 9' serving approach area. The new facility will be 60,000 sq. ft., 10 courts, 3 outdoor sand courts, 340 on-site parking stalls and a 15' service approach zone. We are incredibly grateful for our current building which excelled us to a much higher level but our growth has created a greater need for more space. Our new home will have the best volleyball training center in the state, with better spectator seating and circulation. The new building will be located 1.5 miles West of I-25 and Crossroads Blvd with an anticipated opening date of September 1, 2020.

Loyalty and support from our past and present families has been instrumental in our successful growth and our vision of offering the very best will continue in this greatly improved facility. Should you have any questions regarding our move next year, please contact us. We will be sending periodical updates on the progress of construction.

Thank you all and Happy Holidays,

Cathy R. Mahaffey, Ed. D
Club Director
Norco Juniors VBC

Thursday, September 10th 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm 

Meet & Greet the Executive Director Keith Murlless via Zoom. 

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/96977724786?pwd=ZGZ4akNHYUhrUk9hMDRUbytFQ1NTZz09

Friday, September 11 7:00 am 

tm2sign.com opens for tournament registration.

Monday, September 21st 5:00 pm,

Deadline registration for Power 1 girls and boys age groups 18/17/16/15.  All registration material must be submitted to the RMR office by 5 pm.

Sunday, September 27th at 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Annual Club Directors via Zoom.  

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/91424087435?pwd=VVZIUWhlcWlpYmJIVytEQlRBT3hXUT09

Sunday, October 4th 9:30 am - 11:30 am. 

Mandatory Tournament Director's meeting in person at the RMR Office Building basement level meeting rooms 4155 E Jewell Ave Suite 909 Denver, CO  80222.

8792

As of 8/23/2020