"This is it, the start of something extraordinary.

We’re ready to embrace the sweat, tears, and victories

This is our time to shine.

The 2023-2024 season is here!"

Parents;

Posted here are the current lists of RMR Boys and Girls Clubs.  Feel free to review those lists, as you help your student-athlete find a club to play for.

We've added a new link ("player opportunities" below) that should prove helpful to both the teams that still need players, and to the families who have not yet signed with a club. Note that this "Player Needed" spreadsheet is dynamic. The Club Directors have direct access to this sheet to update the presentation there, as vacancies are filled.  So come back often!

RMR Membership for athletes falls into two broad categories:

Most athletes are returning to the RMR from last season. They can use their 22-23 Membership ( and their SportsEngine profile) for the new 23-24 season. Since their 22-23 membership is still "live" through August 31st, there's no need to buy a "tryout" membership, even if they are considering changing clubs.

If you were not a member of USAV/RMR last year, then you DO need to purchase a Tryout membership for the Tryout season. This low-cost membership covers your tryouts and any club practices or activities that you're involved in until Sept 1. The Tryout membership IS upgradable, into your "full season" membership once you find a club and settle in.

23-24 Season Memberships will open in two phases:

NEW: Phase 1: Referees, Coaches and Directors will be allowed to begin the process in mid-August, so that they can get their background screening and Safesport courses started.

Phase 2:  For athletes, the membership process opens on September 1st. Please don't accidentally buy a 22-23 membership now... it would only expire Aug 31st anyway!

Your Club will send you and your family a specific "Invitation Link" on or after Sept 1st. The link will take parents directly to the correct type of membership for their athlete. That membership will already be affiliated with your Club.. you get the right membership type, linked to the right club... all through the Invitation Link.

I mentioned above that if you are returning to USAV/RMR then you will use your existing profile at SportsEngine, to manage your membership. But If you're new to USA-Volleyball and the RMR, you'll be setting up a brand new family account at SportsEngine.

SPORTSENGINE is the fancy program that manages all of our memberships. Families build "households." Club Directors build "Clubs," Coaches build "Teams"... and the RMR and other events use ROSTERS from these teams.... all within this one program.  SE is a  powerful tool, but it's not always easy to understand.

We've published some articles to help you get off to a great start, but here are two "pro tips" to point you in the right direction:

1) Your family only needs one account. 

     --> As the legal guardian, you as the parent, will set up the family account! THEN you add your student athletes to the family.  

     --> Athletes are not allowed to set up accounts in their own names. (because they are minors)

2) Be careful to only use "passport quality" names. The SportsEngine computer is a real stickler for correct spelling. Nicknames, or anything else other than "passport names" leads to confusion when your coach is trying to assign their players  to the team roster!

3) Choose one very solid email address for your family account. This address will be the whole key to your household. Your athletes will be able to enter their own private email addresses later in the setup.

4) We can help! We have lots more information about going USAV and the RMR at our "Membership" page. And don't forget that we have our own "membership expert" available to help you! Send any questions that you may have to membership@rmrvolleyball.org. Kirsten will get right back to you with helpful notes and online articles... all the stuff that "new members" and their families need to hear!

See you soon!

The RMR

The RMR shall not, nor shall anyone acting on behalf of the RMR, discriminate against any person, or group of persons, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, age, national origin, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

EVERY MEMBER AND FAMILY OF THE Rocky mountain REGION SHOULD FEEL WELCOME, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, IDENTITY, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OR OTHER IDENTIFICATIONS.

We know that racial and other forms of discrimination are not new, however recent events have made it painfully clear that progress cannot be made unless each individual and organization within our community makes a decision to step out of their comfort zone, learn something new about someone different than themselves, and take action to make inclusion a priority.

The racial, socioeconomic status and gender identity demographics in our region and in volleyball are significantly different than our state and especially of our country. At the RMR we are committed to an internal examination to address the shortfall of diversity and inclusion within our organization, in our clubs and in volleyball as a sport and community.

Our Board of Directors and staff commit to:

• Listening and learning with open minds, and assisting others in doing the same, so that volleyball can be a sport where everyone feels safe and welcome.
• Exploring our organizational structure, policies and procedures to examine ways to be more inclusive
• Creating a Diversity & Inclusion Committee and seeking input from our membership
• Reaching more areas of need through our Shinkara Hardship Program
• Reducing current barriers to entry into volleyball, and collaborating with other entities to increase access to our sport
• Creating opportunities for outreach to under-served communities and populations
• Increasing access to employment opportunities for families and individuals in need
• Looking at ways to develop a minority coach and official scholarship and mentoring program
• Developing a resource and outreach page on the RMR website for diversity and inclusion initiatives and information
• Diversifying our social media following and shared content

Read on (below) for more information on these initiatives as we examine how to best implement and expand access to our sport. If you would like to volunteer or have ideas for implementation, please contact Executive Director Keith Murlless

It's important to increase awareness!

Watch this video to see how DEI influences everyone, through the eyes and voices of our own volleyball community.

--> Thank you to “Match Point” for speaking so eloquently to this topic!

• See the “Match Point” documentary: Click here
• USA Volleyball partners with RISE: Click here
• Become a Sister Club for the Starlings Volleyball Program: Click here
• Check out the hashtag #VolleyTheChange on social media
• For Mental Health Resources, please scroll to the bottom of this page. 

ADDITIONAL DEI INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

• Podcast: Dual Pandemics – Coronavirus & Racism (Hilinski’s Hope): Click Here
• Art of Coaching: Critical conversation about diversity, wellness and inclusion in sports. Click here.
• Athlete Ally Training Module: Click Here
• Transgender College Student Resource Guide: Click Here
• Video diaries on experiencing and dealing with prejudice from Awareness Harmony Acceptance Advocates (AHAA): Click Here
• Panel discussion from RISE – “Athlete Activism & The Fight For Equality” – Highlight Video – Full Panel Discussion
• “How To Challenge Discriminatory Comments” from Basic Diversity: Click Here
• “Beyond The Golden Rule” – A Parent’s Guide To Preventing & Responding To Prejudice: Click Here
• “What Inclusion Is & Is Not” – from Diversity Central: Click Here
• Understanding Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity – from the American Psychological Assocation (APA): Click Here
• Talking To Kids About Discrimination – from the APA: Click Here
• The Role of Recreation Leaders in Preventing Bullying – from StopBullying.gov: Click Here
• Preventing Bullying Toward LBGTQ Youth – from StopBullying.gov: Click Here
• Successful Teams & Respectful Team Members: Click Here
• Preventing Bullying: What Great Coaches Need To Know: Click Here
• Positive Coaching Alliance Development Zone: Click Here
• Could You Be Racist And Not Know It?: Click Here
• Trainings For Youth-Serving Professionals – From The Trevor Project: Click Here
• Resources For LGBT Youth – From the CDC: Click Here
• Online Guide & Resources For LBGTQ Students – From Marysville University: Click Here
• Cyber Bullying Information: Click Here
• Port of Seattle Anti-Racism Resources: Click Here

Websites & Other Resources

• LGBTQ Interactive Equality Maps: Click Here
• Understanding Prejudice: Click Here
• Basic Diversity: Click Here
• Stop Bullying: Click Here
• Positive Coaching Alliance: Click Here
• LGBT Sportsafe: Click Here
• The Aspen Institute: Click Here

Racial Justice Online Resource List

• Center for Civil & Human Rights: Click Here
• Center for Policing Equity: Click Here
• Showing up for Racial Justice Resources: Click Here
• The Players’ Tribune – I’ve Stayed Silent for Too Long: Click Here
• Transform Harm: Click Here
• TED Talks to Help you Understand Racism: Click Here

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ONLINE EXERCISES & EDUCATION

• Printable educational exercises from RISE: Click Here
• Educational exercises from Awareness Harmony Acceptance Advocates (AHAA): Click Here
• Online Implicit Association Test – from Understanding Prejudice: Click Here (Read articles about this test here)
• Implicit Bias Tests – from Harvard University (multiple options): Click Here
• Bullying Prevention Online Training Center from StopBullying.gov: Click Here
• Quizzes on Bullying & Cyberbullying from GirlsHealth.gov: Click Here
• USOC SafeSport Online Training: Click Here
• TrueSport Bullying Prevention Lessons: Click Here
• TrueSport “Respect” Lessons: Click Here

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

• Hilinski’s Hope Foundation: Click Here
• Statistics about mental health in youth/teens: Click Here
• NCAA’s mental health page & resources: Click Here
• NCAA’s Proposal For Mental Health Resources at Power 5 Schools: Click Here
• Pac-12 Putting More Money Toward Mental Health: Click Here
• “Your Life Matters” Video: Click Here
• Black Mental Health Alliance: Click Here
• Latinx  Therapy: Click Here
• South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network: Click Here

Talk to someone. If that seems too daunting, contact us.    Remember, depression lies.