USIndoor's Official Magazine is a quarterly publication, dedicated to owners, managers, program administrators and other professionals, startups and providers involved with indoor recreational sports facilities.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1064417
WINTER2019 17 where we can have a sitting volleyball tournament, that's great." WAVE also sends coaches to economically- challenged parts of the area to host clinics for kids who can't afford the regular club fees. Some athletes will work with the club to help ref games and events or to help support admissions. "Those athletes are more part of the organization side of it, and they're around all day, but also they're invited in: they're invited to watch and gather and understand what that means and how they're able to learn about people either with disabilities or who come from backgrounds that are competing and having fun. And it's absolutely great for the kids," says Doug. Being an athlete at WAVE is more than playing the sport. "We also expect a WAVE athlete to have the right demeanor, the passion for the sport; to make sure the people going in and out of the door every day understand that WAVE is a family environment and want to compete hard, but we also do it with compassion and integrity." Overall, the facility has come a long way from where it started, and it still has work to do. Doug says, "The best we can be right now is to make sure that every player is receiving the same level of coaching, and they are receiving the same type of appreciation for the sport, being able to compete at a high level, and getting the right training for them to be better athletes and also better people. "That's the most critical thing, and when we're only three to four years into that process, I'd say there's still work to be done, because in the first couple years there's always some growing pains. But I feel like, as we enter the next season, everything's going really well." Could WAVE expand again? Doug says never say never. "WAVE is not planning to expand to other regions at this point, but you can never rule anything out, because we have a great system." Doug is very proud of what the club has accomplished, and their hard work has gained national recognition. Brennan Dean was named Club Director of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, and club coaches Tammy Leibl and Juliana Evens were named 14s Coach of the Year and 13s Coach of the Year, respectively. "My family is blessed to be part of it, and it just seems to be getting better every year," says Doug. "I just love seeing the smiles on the girls' and boys' faces that are coming in and out of the club."