If your child is looking for a team sport to play this fall, volleyball offers a fast-paced, exciting atmosphere for the kid that loves to move around. The sport has seen a recent surge in popularity following Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings’ three consecutive gold medals in the sandy version of the Olympic sport. The bump-set-spike formula of the sport develops strength, precision, hand-eye coordination and quick reaction time. Also, the rapid action of the game requires strategy on the individual level and teamwork.
Sportsplex at Valley View
Sportsplex at Valley View in Dallas offers numerous clinics and camps throughout the fall. A general skill clinic for kids in 6th–8th grades is available every Wednesday from 6–7:15pm until November 14. For children in 3rd–5th grades, Sportsplex has a serving clinic every Monday from 5–6pm until October 21. Clinics are $20 per session or $150 for 10 sessions, and a player can walk in the day of the clinic to register or sign up online beforehand. Sportsplex is also hosting a camp for players in grades 3–6 on October 14 from 10:30am–2:30pm for $65.
Dallas, 972/385-5416
sportsplexvv.com
Plano Parks and Recreation
The Plano Parks and Recreation Department offers plenty of facilities throughout the city for your child to serve up some fun. Sand volleyball courts at Harrington Park, Shawnee Park and Willow Creek Park are all first-come, first-served and open to the public. For the older kids, Carpenter Park Recreation Center holds an indoor open court time for teens ages 14 and up every Wednesday from 7:30–9:30pm. Daily admission is $3 for ages 3–15 and $6 for ages 16 and older.
Plano, 972/941-7250
planoparks.org
The Village at Fairview
The Village Beach is a complex of sand volleyball courts within the Village of Fairview and is open to children of all ages. While the weather’s still nice, bring your whole family to get a bit of exercise while your little one perfects her serving skills. Competitive play is reserved for the red and green courts only, so head to the yellow and blue courts for a low-key and safe volleyball environment. Courts are available to families on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fairview, thevillageshopping.com
Airport Area YMCA Fall Volleyball
The Airport Area YMCA in Bedford is holding a youth recreational volleyball program for girls ages 8–14. Participants should expect to focus on fundamentals and improving basic skills while also learning good sportsmanship. You can register for the program until September 24, and practice begins the week of September 30. The late registration period is September 25–29 if space is available. Fees, which cover the cost of a jersey, award and practice and game facilities, are $60 for YMCA members and $83 for non-YMCA members. If you sign up during the late registration period, an extra $20 fee applies.
Bedford, 817-571-3371
ymcafw.org
Denton Parks and Recreation
The Denton Parks and Recreation Department has facilities and programs throughout the fall that will keep your child busy perfecting her volleyball skills. Sand volleyball courts at North Lakes Park, South Lakes Park and Cross Timbers Park offer an outdoor option. The courts are first-come, first-served. When the weather gets a little colder, make your way inside McMath Middle School on November 16 for a one-day volleyball clinic focusing on basic skills. The clinic runs from 9am–12pm for ages 7–9 and 1–4pm for ages 10–12. The clinic is $30 for residents of Denton and $35 for non-residents.
Denton, 940-349-7275
dentonparks.com
Plano Sports Authority
For kids that want to refine their volleyball skills, check out the programs at Plano Sports Authority for boys and girls in first–12th grades. Skills clinics start the week of September 9 and run for four weeks. Half-hour individual clinics are $15, and four hour-long classes are $100. Registration for the winter league begins in September and the season begins in late October.
Plano, 972/208-5437
psaplano.org
FieldhouseUSA
Kids as young as 4 through seventh grade can take classes on weekdays at 5pm. Six-week sessions are $150, and the next session should begin around mid-September. Check the website for dates as they become available. Recreational leagues are open to those in first grade and up for $120 per season.
Frisco, 972/668-6207
fieldhouseusa.com
Texas Image Volleyball
Texas Image Volley has a 60,000-square-foot and air-conditioned facility with an indoor sand volleyball court. Sign up for private lessons to refine your skills or bring the kids ages 8–11 for the Image Kidz program. A seven-week session on Friday nights at the Grand Prairie gym runs $140. Texas Image also offers a six-week session at The Rise in Rockwall for $15. Check for dates starting in September.
Grand Prairie, 972/606-4662
texasimagevolleyball.com
LoneStar Volleyball
Kids in first–12th grades can join LoneStar leagues by the season. The fall season is underway now, and winter league registration begins in October. LoneStar hosts curriculum-based training year-round on Monday nights in four-week sessions. Kids can begin in the academy and, once that is completed, enter the skills circuit. The next session begins September 9. $125 for academy sessions; $220 for skill circuit.
Frisco, 214/334-3105
lonestarvolleyball.net
Published September 2013
