faqs
Sláinte offers several types of teams:
Sláinte Girls BLACK Team and Sláinte Boys PLATINUM Team
- Sláinte Black or Sláinte Platinum Power Teams are recommended for players who have multiple years of experience, are fully committed to practices and tournaments, and are highly competitive. To keep teams competitive and to achieve team goals, playing time is not shared equally but based on performance at practices and tournaments. This evaluation is at the discretion of the coaching staff.
- Sláinte Black teams will participate in NCVA Power League, California Kickoff, two to three National Qualifiers, and will practice 2-3 times a week.
- Boys Platinum teams have tryouts in August and the season finishes in January, with the possibility of going to Junior Nationals in the summer. Players participate in NCVA Power League, national qualifiers, and will practice 2-3 times a week.
Sláinte Girls FOREST Team and Sláinte Boys COBALT Team
- Sláinte Girls Forest and Sláinte Boys Cobalt are Power League Teams that are recommended for players who have had previous playing or club experience. These teams are a balance between learning and succeeding. Players participate in every tournament, however, playing time is not equally distributed.
- Girls Forest Team participates in NCVA Power League, California Kickoff, one National Qualifier Tournament, and will practice 2-3 times a week.
- Boys Cobalt Teams participate in NCVA Power League and will practice 2-3 times a week.
Sláinte Girls WHITE Teams - Premier Teams
- Sláinte White Teams are recommended for players who have had some exposure to volleyball. The emphasis with these teams will be playing to learn. With that in mind, we believe that experience on the court is key to the player’s learning experience. Coaches will do their best to keept playing time somewhat equally balanced.
- These teams participate in NCVA Premier (Area) League for a total of Kickstart, 7 league tournament days, and practice twice a week.
Developmental Tournament Teams for Girls and Boys - AMBER, BLUE, CYAN
- Sláinte Developmental Tournament Teams introduce team play and builds current skills for beginners and intermediate players. This program is meant for girls and boys from 8-14 years old. This program is offered from January to April. The participants are taught the fundamentals of volleyball in a fun, encouraging and low pressure environment.
- This program is recommended for players who can commit to practices on the weekend and 2-3 local tournaments during the season.
Rising Youth Practice Program for Boys and Girls
- Sláinte Rising Youth Teams introduces volleyball to beginners, as well as builds on the current skills of intermediate players. This program is meant for boys and girls from 7-13 years old. The program is offered in the Fall (September to mid-November), Winter/Spring (January to April) and Summer (June and July). The participants are taught the fundamentals of volleyball in a fun and encouraging environment. Practices are on the weekend. No travel or competition is involved.
Girls Power Teams
- Girls power teams have tryouts and team selection in early November and the season finishes early May with the possibility of going to USAV or AAU Junior Nationals Championships in the summer. Practice begins in late November with tournaments starting in January. Teams will participate in NCVA Power League, one to three National Qualifiers depending on the team, and will practice 2-3 times a week. Depending on the team, total tournament days range from 10 to 16.
Girls Premier Teams
- The Girls Premier teams have tryouts and team selection in early November. Practice begins in December and the season runs from January through mid-May. Teams practice twice per week and participate in Kickstart and NCVA Premier League for a total of 8 tournament days.
Girls and Boys Developmental Tournament Teams
- The Developmental Tournament Teams have tryouts and team selection in early November. Practice begins in January and runs through the end of April. Teams practice once a week and participate in 2-3 tournament days.
Girls and Boys Rising Youth Practice Program
- The Rising Youth Practice Teams practices once a week - Sunday. Tryouts are not necessary. Beginners and intermediate players are encouraged to participate.
Boys Power teams
- Boys power teams have tryouts and team selection in August. Practice begins late in August with tournaments starting in late September through December or January, with the possibility of going to Boys Junior Nationals Championships in late June. Teams participate in NCVA Power League and will practice 2-3 times a week.
For 2023-24 season,
- Sláinte Boy’s tryouts are held in the middle of August. Team selection starts immediately after tryouts.
- Sláinte Girl’s tryout for Power 15, 16, 17s and 18s is the last weekend of July and first weekend of August. Team selection starts immediately after tryouts.
- Sláinte Girl’s tryout for Power 12, 13s, 14s, Premier teams is in middle of October. See Sláinte Teams for more information re practice start dates.
- Sláinte Developmental Tournament and Rising Youth Practice Program does not hold tryouts. Please see our website for Rising Youth on-line registration and start date.
HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE ON A TEAM? The number of players on the official team roster is determined by the coaching staff of each team and is typically between 10-13 players. Rosters with 12 athletes allow for better training opportunities during practices as it allows teams to play 6 on 6 volleyball to prepare for competition.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY SON OR DAUGHTER DOESN’T MAKE A SLÁINTE TEAM? Skills can change from year to year. Not making a team this year doesn’t mean an athlete shouldn’t tryout for a team the following year. Similarly, if an athlete chooses to play for a different club, they are always able to come tryout the following year and would be welcomed back.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep -1055 Ellis Street, San Francisco
St. Monica School - 5950 Geary Avenue, San Francisco (use 23rd entrance to parking lot)
Chinese American International School (CAIS) - 3950 19th Avenue, San Francisco
Saint Cecilia School – 660 Vicente Street, San Francisco (gym entrance is between Vicente & Wawona on 18th Avenue)
Immaculate Conception Academy – 3625 24th Street, San Francisco (gym entrance on Fair Oaks)