High Performance Indoor Provincial Teams - 16U and 18U

16U Girls – 2 teams (athletes born January 1, 2007 or later)
18U Girls – 1 team (athletes born January 1, 2005 or later)
16U Boys – 1 team (athletes born January 1, 2007 or later)
18U Boys – 1 team (athletes born January 1, 2005 or later)

GIRLS – 16U & 18U Provincial Teams -  Program Outline:

Following the Athlete ID sessions, the top 10-12 athletes in the 18U age group and 20-24 athletes in the 16U age group will be selected.  The final numbers in each group will be determined by the skill of the athletes, and will be selected by the coaching teams listed above and independent evaluators.  

The 16U girl’s “larger group” which is selected will be divided into two separate “teams” after 3-4 group practices.  This will allow all the coaches to observe the athletes in a smaller group setting before teams are divided equally (by position and skill set) using a “snake” draft format (ie. Team A will pick first, followed by Team B, then Team B picks again, then Team A, then Team A, etc).   By dividing the 16U teams earlier in the training period the coaching teams will have more time to work individually with their selected athletes prior to the competition.  This also allows coaches to set their own practice times that hopefully will accommodate as many people (coaches and athletes) within their teams as possible.   We will have 18U Coach, Craig Hoskins plan two group sessions (involving both 16U and 18U athletes and coaches) in July.  These sessions will help enhance the training that the individual teams get with their own coaching teams that month.   The weeks that these group practices are held the teams will have 3 practices.

While the Eastern Elite competition is a part of the provincial team program, it is important to note that the program’s success will not be evaluated by our teams’ performance at the event.  Exposure to new coaching methods and styles, as well as their first provincial team competition will enhance all participants’ experience with Team PEI and will ensure our program is in line with Volleyball Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development model.  As Sport Canada quotes, “The journey to become an elite athlete is a marathon, not a sprint” referencing the 10,000 training hours required to become elite in their sport. 

The plan for both 16U and 18U would be for each team to practice 2x weekly except when the “16U/18U combined” practices are held.  Those weeks teams will practice 3x. 

Depending on gym availability and athlete exam schedules, training may be limited for the first few weeks of June.  Court time in Fredericton prior to the Eastern Elites will be allocated for our teams for practice, and will take place one day prior to the competition.   This will give our teams an opportunity to check out the facility (Nashwaaksis Fieldhouse) and activate their weary “travel” legs.    All Volleyball PEI teams (players and coaches) will stay as a group (location TBD).  Transportation details will also be outlined soon.

After returning from Eastern Elites, Team Black 16U, Team Green 16U and the 18U team will do joint practice sessions 2x a week where Team Coaches will take turns preparing weekly training plans for the group.  For ex:  Team Black 16U will lead the first week of August, Team 18U will prepare and lead the 2nd week of August, and Team Green 16U will lead the group for the 3rd week of August.  These joint sessions will see the athletes and coaches learn from each other, and will also allow the athletes to continue to train in a HP training environment until returning to their school teams in September.  There should be opportunities built into each weekly practice plan for athletes to play games, mixing all the 18U and 16U athletes up randomly each game.

At the conclusion of the summer program, evaluations will be completed (by coaches and players) and Volleyball PEI will use this information to help the planning process for the 2024 Prov. Team Program. 

BOYS – 16U and 18U Provincial Teams - Program Outline:
Following athlete ID sessions, the top 10-12 athletes in the 18U age group and the top 10-12 athletes in the 16U age group will be selected.  The coaching staffs listed above will do the evaluations at the ID camps, along with input from independent evaluators that will also be in attendance.   
Note:  If numbers (and skill set) do not allow for Volleyball PEI to have two teams for these two age groups we will look to combine both age groups and have one team.   The age group for this team will be determined by the skill set and number of athletes identified by the coaches. 

After the top athletes are selected – the teams will train 2-3x weekly. Depending on gym availability and athlete exam schedules, training may be limited for the first few weeks of June.  All practice sessions will include both the 16U team and the 18U team.  Max Arsenault will lead the 18U boys group with input from Tyler and Tristan and Tyler Compton will lead the 16U boys group with input from Tristan and Max.    Max will get input from all coaches on the areas they would like to see the group focus on, and will then will work with Tristan and Tyler to create a summer training plan.  At each training session the coaches will take turns explaining the drills to athletes and all coaches will provide feedback. 

Having the two age group teams together will allow the group to split up and play some games to see which athletes play well together, etc.   Communication between the team coaches will be key to ensure the athletes are learning and developing consistently.

Court time in Fredericton prior to the Eastern Elites will be allocated for our teams for practice, and will take place one day prior to the competition.   This will give our teams an opportunity to check out the facility (Nashwaaksis Fieldhouse) and activate their weary “travel” legs.    All Volleyball PEI teams (players and coaches) will stay as a group (location TBD).  Transportation details will also be outlined soon.

Upon return from Eastern Elites, each age group will evaluate their progress to date and will continue training for the month of August, 1-2x a week until team members return to school.

While the Eastern Elite competition is a part of the provincial team program, it is important to note that the program’s success will not be evaluated by our teams’ performance at the event.  Exposure to new coaching methods and styles, as well as their first provincial team competition will enhance all participants’ experience with Team PEI and will ensure our program is in line with Volleyball Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development model.  As Sport Canada quotes, “The journey to become an elite athlete is a marathon, not a sprint” referencing the 10,000 training hours required to become elite in their sport. 

At the conclusion of the summer program evaluations will be completed (coaches and players) and Volleyball PEI will use this information to help the planning process for the 2024 Prov. Team Program.