Club Volleyball Showcases – Good Idea or Not?
"The most dangerous phrase in the language is: 'We've always done it this way.'"
— Grace Hopper
Why We Created the Club Volleyball Showcase: A Better Way Into the Game
In August 2024, we launched Northern Lights Athletic Club (NLAC) with a clear mission: to provide quality volleyball training at an affordable price for families in Edmonton. As we began working with young athletes, especially those in elementary school, we quickly noticed a gap — not just in training opportunities, but in understanding how to even begin the journey into club volleyball.
Many families had the same questions:
Where do we start? What club should we try out for? How does this all work?
It reminded me of a conversation I had with another father when his daughter was just starting out. We were both navigating the same confusing system, and we both felt the same thing: there must be a better way.
Our Tryout Experience: From Confusion to Clarity
When our family first entered the world of club volleyball, we were completely lost. Coming from other sports, we were used to registering with the local community team. Living outside of Edmonton, we assumed we had to choose the local club — until someone told us there were no boundaries in club volleyball. Suddenly, we had endless options… but no clear direction. On the advice of friends, we signed up for two tryouts, not knowing it was for two of the most sought-after teams.
Walking into the Saville Community Sports Centre for our first tryout was overwhelming. Hundreds of athletes filled the courts. Girls had numbers written on their legs. Coaches walked around with clipboards, observing drills. From the viewing area above, we saw talented players — but many were lost in the crowd. Great plays went unnoticed. Coaches pulled athletes aside mid-tryout to offer roster spots. By the end, only a handful were selected.
In our second year, we thought we were better prepared. But again, hundreds of girls competed for just 12–24 spots. Offers were being made within the first 10 minutes of a two-hour session. It was disheartening to see the looks on the faces of those not chosen. Athletes saw others being picked and left early, knowing their chances were slim. They were off to the next tryout.
By our third year, the chaos had become routine — tears, stress, and seeing athletes bouncing from court to court, venue to venue. Wiping tears from their eyes as they arrive at their second or third tryout of the night. That’s when I had another conversation with a fellow parent. We both agreed: there must be a better way. The idea for the Club Volleyball Showcase was born. After our fourth year, our family seen enough. Inspired by a college showcase I attended, I thought “I can do this.”
The Club Volleyball Showcase: A New Approach
The Club Volleyball Showcase is our answer to the confusion and chaos of traditional tryouts. It’s designed to help athletes who are new to volleyball — or new to the Edmonton area — get in front of club coaches in a more focused, supportive environment. Here’s what makes our showcase different:
One court, capped at 18 athletes — ensuring space, visibility, and opportunity.
Recorded sessions — athletes can use footage for highlight reels, and coaches can review performances again later.
Coaches observe only — no drills to run, no pressure to make snap decisions.
Family contact info provided — coaches can follow up with invitations to open gyms or tryouts.
Free for coaches to attend — no registration fee.
What We Hope to Achieve
Will attending the showcase guarantee a spot on a team? No. But our goal is to make the process more transparent, less stressful, and more productive for everyone involved. We want to:
Help families understand the club landscape and make informed decisions.
Give athletes a fair shot to be seen.
Allow coaches to evaluate talent without pressure.
We believe there’s a better way to do this — and we’re building it, one showcase at a time.
