Volleyball Victoria participates annually in the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships (AYVC). This is a State based National Championships that represents the highest level of volleyball available at the U14-U18 age groups. 

Trials are held annually at State Volleyball Centre, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong North

Trial Dates

Trial 1:
Sunday, May 12th - BOYS ONLY
Sunday, May 19th - GIRLS ONLY

Trial 2:
Sunday, May 26th (Invitation Only)

Trial 3:
Sunday, June 2nd (Invitation Only)

Trial Times:

Sunday, May 12th - BOYS ONLY

• U18 - 8:30am to 11:15am (Courts 14-15)
• U17 - 8:30am to 11:15am (Courts 11-13)
• U16 - 11:45am to 2:30pm (Courts 11-13)
• U15 - 11:45am to 2:30pm (Courts 14-15)
• U14 - 2:45pm to 5:30pm (Courts 11-13)

Sunday, May 19th - GIRLS ONLY

• U18 - 8:30am to 11:15am (Courts 14-15)
• U17 - 8:30am to 11:15am (Courts 11-13)
• U16 - 11:45am to 2:30pm (Courts 14-15)
• U15 - 11:45am to 2:30pm  (Courts 11-13)
• U14 - 2:45pm to 5:30pm (Courts 11-13)

May 26th 2nd Trial - INVITATION ONLY

• U18 Boys - 8:30am to 10:25am (Courts 11-13)
• U17 Boys - 8:30am to 10:25am (Courts 14-15)
• U18 Girls: 10:30am to 12:25pm (Courts 11-13)
• U17 Girls: 10:30am to 12:25pm (Courts 14-15)
• U14 Boys: 1:00pm to 2:55pm (Courts 11-13)
• U14 Girls: 1:00pm to 2:55pm (Courts 14-15)
• U15 Girls: 3:00pm to 5:00 pm (Courts 8-10)
• U15 Boys: 1:00pm to 2:55pm (Courts 8-10)
• U16 Girls: 3:00pm to 5:00 pm (Courts 11-13)
• U16 Boys: 3:00pm to 5:00 pm (Courts 14-15)

2nd June Trial 3 - INVITATION ONLY

• U16 Boys - 8:30am-10:25am (Courts 11-13)
• U16 Girls - 8:30am-10:25am (Courts 14-15)
• U15 Boys - 10:30am-12:25pm (Courts 11-13)
• U15 Girls - 10:30am-12:25pm (Courts 14-15)
• U14 Boys - 1pm-2:55pm (Courts11-13)
• U14 Girls - 1pm-2:55pm (Courts 14-15)
• U17 Girls/U18 Girls - 3pm-4:55pm (Courts 11-13)
• U17 Boys/U18 Boys - 3pm-4:55pm (Courts 14-15)

Age Groups:
U14: Must be born in 2011 or later (players must be 13 years or younger as at 31 December 2024)
U15: Must be born in 2010
U16: Must be born in 2009
U17: Must be born in 2008
U18: Must be born in 2007

TRIAL REGISTRATION

• All athletes that would like to trial must register online and complete the Athlete Agreement. 
• All athletes trialling must be 2024 Volleyball Victoria members (Minimum level: BLUE)
  • Athletes selected to eventual squads will be required to hold 2024 Gold U21 Memberships for the duration of the program and prior to the first training session.  
• The trial fee of $60 must be paid on registration prior to the deadline (3pm Friday before Trial 1).
  
  • A $5 late fee will be charged for any registrations post-deadline and prior to the first trial.  
• There is a maximum of three trials available for your age group.
• The selection process is PROGRESSIVE after the 1st trial. 
  • Therefore, only a limited number of athletes will be invited back to the 2nd and 3rd trials respectively.
• Squads will train together for 3 weeks before teams are then selected from relevant squads. 
• Training will be predominately at the State Volleyball Centre with possible trainings at Bendigo Stadium as well as participation in local tournaments.
• Invitations for each week will be posted on the Volleyball Victoria website by COB Tuesday post-trial.
• Squad selection invitations will be posted on the Volleyball Victoria website by COB Wednesday post-final trial. 

WHAT TO WEAR
Athletes are not to wear ANY National, State (any state), Academy uniforms at these selection trials.  Athletes will be asked to change if they wear any items from previous National, State or Academy teams.  Athletes will recieve a Victorian training top as part of the trial fee. This top must be worn for the duration of the trials. 

Athletes are expected to wear appropriate indoor volleyball apparel.  It is mandatory athletes wear appropriate footwear.  Optional items include kneepads, ankle braces.  Numbers will be drawn on athletes at trials for identification so please be mindful of this.

Coaches will be in attendance at the trials.  It is expected that all athletes attend trial 1 and all subsequent trials invited to.  If you cannot attend one of the above trials, it is expected that you advise the Volleyball Victoria office, directly in writing c/o genel.sturgeon@volleyballvictoria.org.au

SELECTION PROCESS
TRIALS > SQUADS > TEAMS & SHADOW ATHLETES > TEAMS COMPETE AT AYVC

Victorian State Team squads will be selected from the trialling athletes.  Squads will have 3 training sessions together as "Squads" before being selected to teams and shadow athlete positions.  Teams and Shadow Athletes will continue training together up until the Championships.

TEAMS
Teams of 10 are selected to travel to the Australian Youth Volleyball Championships (AYVC).  Volleyball Victoria will seek to enter the following State Team composition structure:  

• U18: 1 team per gender (20 athletes total)
• U17: 1 team per gender (20 athletes)
• U16: 2 teams per gender (40 athletes)
• U15: 2 teams per gender (40 athletes)
• U14: 2 teams per gender (40 athletes)

Volleyball Victoria has reviewed the structure of the teams after the 2023 tournament and after careful consideration of all factors surrounding our entire State Team Pathways program, we have determined to retain the structure of team entries as listed above. 

SQUAD ACCEPTANCE FEE
All athletes selected in the squads must hold a Volleyball Victoria U21 Gold Membership and pay a $350 squad acceptance deposit to confirm their selection in the squad. The $350 is non-refundable and will be deducted from the overall Athlete Levy should you be selected in a team to compete at the AYVC.  This fee will need to be paid immediately after the public announcement of the squads on the Volleyball Victoria website at the conclusion of trials and prior to the first squad training.  Failure to do so may result in the athlete forfeiting their position in the program.

SHADOW ATHLETES
Any athletes that are not selected in a team to travel to AYVC in Bendigo will assume the role of a shadow athlete.  Shadow Athletes do not travel to AYVC but continue to train with their appropriate squad and may be given the opportunity to step into a team if an athlete withdraws from the program or is unable to participate in the championships for any reason.  It is a regular occurence that opportunities present themselves throughout the program for shadow athletes are promoted into the traveling squad.

Shadow Athletes play an important role in the State Team Program are extremely beneficial for the individual's own volleyball development.  Shadow Athletes are only required to pay the squad acceptance fee.  In the event that a shadow athlete is elevated into a team they would be subject to the full levy (less amount already paid) as well as uniform costs.

TRAINING
Training will be held on Sunday’s at primarily the State Volleyball Centre, Dandenong North and possibly other venues around Melbourne/Regional Victoria TBC.  Training for a AYVC is highly important.  Attending state team training should be of the highest priority.  As State Team representative athletes, you are expected to attend all training commitments on Sundays, this may include off-court sessions delivered through the program as well as on-court.  If you are unable to attend training for any valid reason on the odd occassion e.g. Family Wedding, Religious Purposes please contact your coach in advance.  If you are unable to attend training due to commitments to other sports e.g. Club Netball Training or Australian Football matches, please strongly consider how this may impact your selection in our program.

ATHLETE LEVY
The athlete levy, uniform cost, membership and accreditation fees if applicable, is estimated to be between $1,700-$2,200 per athlete.  For more information about the Athlete Levy or general program enquiries, please contact Pathways Programs Manager, Genel Sturgeon in writing c/o genel.sturgeon@volleyballvictoria.org.au