Why can't Northern Lights hold it's tryout on a different date?
Northern Lights is the oldest running club in the Region and has always held it's tryouts on the first available date permitted by the Region and the MSHSL. This year that date November 9th for age groups 15's-18's. Our tryout dates were set and given to the Region for publication in early August. We have no control over other clubs choosing to run their tryouts on the same day that we have traditionally used.
What if I come late or leave early?
In order to protect the rights and interests of all players at the tryouts, Northern Lights will make it's decisions about the teams based on who is at the tryout at the time the decisions are made. This means that if you come late it may already be done. If you leave early without signing the USAV Binding Commitment Letter we will understand this to mean that you are not interested in playing with Northern Lights. We have no other choice but to enforce this since a player's attendance or lack of it affects other players and their decisions.
Can I tryout for a higher age level team?
Northern Lights teams are always at the top of their age division nationally. Because of this we encourage all players to stay in their respective age divisions. If a player wants to tryout in a higher age level, they should first contact our office to discuss this. Generally players who tryout in a higher age level must be "impact" players at that higher age level, or we will not select them. Players who tryout for a higher age level run the risk of not being selected for the higher age level, and then by that time the lower age level is already selected and full. (It is not possible for us to wait until a higher age level is completed before selecting a lower age level as this is unfair to the lower age players and we would be there all day & night.)
I am going to be gone on November 1st or November 9th, can I tryout early?
With the new signing of the USAV Binding Commitment Letter, we need to have all players at the tryout for their age group. North Country Region rules do not permit the Commitment Letter to be signed prior to November 1st or November 9th depending on your age division. Thus there is no time "earlier" for a tryout. Any club known to be guaranteeing players a position on their teams before the official tryout dates should be reported to North Country Region Office.
I am going to be gone on November 1st or November 9th, can I tryout after that date?
Northern Lights will be selecting it's teams on November 1st and November 9th. All players selected will be required to sign the USAV Binding Commitment Letter so we will know the status of each of our teams by the end of tryouts. At that time we may or may not have space available on a team. If space is available in the club we will be happy to schedule you for a tryout.
Do my parents need to be at the entire tryout?
Any player under the age of 18 who is selected must have a parent/legal guardian available at the time of selection to sign the required paperwork. Without a parent/legal guardian there to sign the papers we will not be able to accept you for a team. This year players will be selected at various times during the tryouts starting as quickly as 1 hour after the start of tryouts. Coffee and cookies will be available for the parents during the day.
How many players will be on a team?
We attempt to have 10 players on each team. Depending on the skill levels that number can vary to as low as 9 and as high as 11, but our goal is always 10. We want each player to have a good experience and loading a team with more than 10 players can have a negative impact. So if our teams are full with 10 players after our tryout, it is unlikely that we will accept additional players unless they were to fill a very specific role. We also will not run a team with less than 9 players, we know from experience that problems will result. This means that if on the tryout date not enough players commit a team may not be formed at certain age levels. Last year we did not have to drop any teams, and we hope that will be the same this year.
The schedule shows a "? " for some teams attending USJO Nationals or AAU Nationals, what does this mean?
Teams that have a "?" in the columns for either USJO Nationals or AAU Nationals are not budgeted or scheduled to attend those events. However these teams may still elect to attend those events. The decision to attend additional events would be made by the parents of the players in a confidential process that we have used many times. The schedule shown is the result of many years of experience in running teams, however if the decision is made to attend additional events Northern Lights will gladly take that team.
How often and when do the teams practice? How often do the teams play?
Northern Lights Teams will practice 2 - 4 times per week. The schedule will vary depending on the team, court availability, and coach's schedule. A practice schedule will be available after tryouts. Generally our teams practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from either 5:30-7:30pm or 7:30-9:30 pm. Our 18-1, 17-1, 16-1, & 15-1 teams will have fewer practices on weeknights and an additional practice on Saturday or Sunday. We do understand that many players in grades 7, 8, & 9 (15's) have confirmation on Wednesday nights, so we do not schedule practice for those age levels on Wednesdays. All practices will be held at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville. Tournaments will be held approximately 2-3 weekends a month. The season runs through May for younger players, and through June for older players.
Can I play in High School sports and still play for Northern Lights?
Northern Lights does not ban players from participating in High School sports. We do respect your High School Spring and Winter sports seasons! However, players that miss practices are also missing the opportunity to improve, and their skill levels will not improve at the same rate as those players who are at all practices. This may have an impact on your playing time. Each year we have several players who do play multiple sports. It requires good time management on the part of the athlete.