FAQ Futures/Lite NEW
FAQ Futures/Lite NEW
Club volleyball provides boys and girls ages 9-18 with the opportunity to develop their skills through structured, high-level training and competitive play. As a select sport, athletes are required to attend a scheduled tryout and are placed on a teams based on skill level, athletic ability, and potential for growth. This ensures that each player is training and competing in an environment that supports their development.
AJV Lite and Future teams is a fundamental player development program of Austin Junior Volleyball, officially sanctioned through the Lone Star Region and USA Volleyball. Designed for girls ages 11-14 for Lite teams and 13-17 for Future teams. AJV Lite/Future offers athletes the opportunity to foundational skills, with an emphasis on team play in fun, positive environment. Athletes must attend a scheduled tryout and be selected for a team based on their skill, athletic ability, and potential.
The Lite program is designed for girls ages 9-14 who want to experience club volleyball without the intense demands of full season and travel. The Lite teams are run at Central and North facilities. This program is ideal for developing athletes who want quality coaching, local competition and a manageable time and travel commitment.
The Future program is designed for ages 13-17 is an excellent fit for multi-sport athletes in North Austin needing financial assistance who are interested in growing their game with a more flexible and localized approach. AJV Future is grounded in the belief that access to competitive volleyball should be based on a player's ability and commitment not their financial situation. Our goal is to make club volleyball accessible and impactful for more families and communities.
A great place to start is by considering a few key factors:
- Time Commitment: How many days per week and weekends are you able to dedicate?
- Practice Location: Which facility location works best for your family?
- Budget: What price point fits comfortably for your family?
Once you’ve identified these priorities, we recommend reviewing our Season Information for Lite/Future and AJV Lite/Future FAQs for more details.
AJV Lite/Future level Teams
AJV Lite/Future is designed for athletes who want to experience club volleyball while continuing to develop their skills in a flexible and accessible environment. Training is led by an emerging Lead Coach, with one head coach assigned to each Future level team and 1-2 Coaches assigned to each Lite level team.
Schedule: Practices twice per week; teams compete locally
Coaching: 1-2 coaches per team
Austin Junior Volleyball (AJV)
(Separate tryout required for the levels listed below — please visit our website for details)
Team Levels
12–15 Red / Toro (Local)
10–14 Navy / CP (Regional)
15–16 Navy / CP (Travel)
Adidas / Molten / Helix (National Teams)
AJV Lite Program (Ages 9–14)
The Lite program is ideal for athletes who want to experience club volleyball without the demands of a full travel season.
- Focus on foundational skill development and team play
- Practices and competition held locally
- Offered at Central and North locations
- 1-2 Coaches per team and training led by an emerging Lead Coach
- Designed for families seeking a manageable time and travel commitment with quality coaching
AJV Futures Program (Ages 13–17)
The Futures program is designed for athletes who want to continue developing their game in a more flexible and accessible environment.
- Great fit for multi-sport athletes
- Localized schedule with reduced travel demands
- Based in North Austin
- 1 Head Coach assigned to each team and training led by an emerging Lead Coach
- Offers financial assistance opportunities for qualifying families
AJV Futures is grounded in the belief that access to competitive volleyball should be based on a player’s commitment and potential—not financial circumstances. Our goal is to make club volleyball more accessible and impactful for a broader community of athletes.
Tryouts
Austin Juniors requires all players to tryout within their predetermined age groups. In some cases, athletes may be allowed to play up based on their school grade, but only at the discretion of Austin Junior Volleyball. If you are unsure about your correct age group, please register based on your birthdate and contact Michael Garcia at mike@austinjuniors.com for further guidance.
Age Classification for the 2026-2027 Season
18 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2008 OR Players who were born on or after July 1, 2007 and a high school student in the twelfth (12th) grade or below during some part of the current academic year
17 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2009 OR Players who were born on or after July 1, 2008 (18 years or younger) who shall neither have completed nor are in a grade higher than the eleventh grade (11th) during the current academic year will be allowed to participate at the USA Junior National Championships on 17 and under teams.
16 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2010
15 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2011
14 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2012
13 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2013
12 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2014
11 and Under Division: Players who were born on or after July 1, 2015
The tryout fee is $80 which covers court time, evaluations and a tryout shirt. After the early registration period ends- one month before the first day of tryouts- the fee increases to $120.
Please note: Tryout registration fees are non-refundable and cannot be credited toward future registrations. If you do not attend tryouts or choose to stay with another club after trying out, your registration fee will be forfeited.
See our tryout dates on the Tryouts Page.
We hold our tryouts in the summer, with the first tryout date taking place August.
If spots remain available, we will offer supplemental tryouts at the beginning of the fall.
15s,16s,17s, : (1 day tryout process Lite/Future)
ASC Cedar Park: 1:30-3:30pm on August 30
11s, 12s, 13s,14s: (1 day tryout process Lite/Future)
ASC Cedar Park: 10:30-12:30 on August 30
Visit our Tryouts Page to view dates and times for your age group. Tryouts registration remains open until the day of the event. We accept walk-ins; however, we cannot guarantee that a tryout shirt in your size will be available.
If the tryout dates have passed, there may still be opportunities to join a team. Occasionally, we have open roster spots to fill. You can check for available spots and register for a supplemental tryout on the Tryouts Page.
Choosing a Future team as an option—even if your athlete’s goal is to play on a Lite team—will not put her at a disadvantage.
At AJV, athletes are placed based on skill first, and then team preferences are considered. Including Future team options actually increases opportunities for placement on a team that best fits your athlete’s current level of play.
If your athlete is not initially selected for a Lite team, she may be placed on an alternate list. Should a spot open that matches her skill level, she may be offered placement. However, athletes will only be moved onto teams where they are a strong fit, as we do not fill roster spots without the appropriate skill alignment.
If you are unable to attend your designated tryout date, you can still be considered for a team. However, please note that missing your schedule tryout may limit your opportunity to compete against others in your age group and to be evaluated by all AJV staff.
If you know you will miss your tryout date, you must email Michael Garcia at mike@austinjuniors.com before July 1, 2026, to discuss potential makeup options. If it is after July 1, please still reach out, as there may be alternative opportunities available.
Teams typically consist of 8-12 players. The final roster size is determined by several factors, including (but not limited to) the age group, overall talent level, and the positional needs of each team.
Shortly after the conclusion of tryouts for your age group, you will receive an email from Austin Juniors with team placement information and an invitation to accept your spot. To secure your place, you must accept the offer and pay the deposit by the deadline listed in the email. If you do not respond in time, your spot may be offered to another athlete.
If you are named an alternate, you will receive a separate email with that information.
Please note that the timing of these emails may vary due to several factors, but we will do our best to communicate with all families in a timely manner.
Once you are placed on a team, you will receive an email with an invitation to accept your spot. To secure your place, you must complete the registration and submit the non-refundable first payment of $500 to $800 (depending on your level of team).
Please note: Credits cannot be applied toward this first payments.
The remaining balance of your club dues will be divided into monthly payments. Once you accept a spot on a team, the full balance becomes non-refundable, regardless of circumstances.
Some players may be selected as alternates, which means that at the time of the tryouts, there is no available position on a team. However, If player declines their offer, a spot may open up, and athletes on the alternate list could be contacted to fill that vacancy.
Athletes who are offered a spot on a team are required to make their decision on the final night of tryouts. If someone declines at that time, we will begin contacting alternates immediately to fill the open position.
If you have not been contacted within 72 hours following your tryout session, it is likely that all open positions have been filled.
No! While we offer teams from 11 & under to 17 & under, athletes are welcome to start at any age.
Athlete under the age of 9 are eligible to try out for the 11 & under division for our Lite level team.
Athletes should arrive in appropriate volleyball attire and bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout tryouts.
Parents are welcome to assist their athlete with check-in; however, we ask that only athletes remain inside the building during the tryout process.
In certain situations, an AJV staff member may need to discuss options for your athlete. Please ensure you are available by phone during tryouts so these conversations do not delay the process.
We understand that tryouts can be a stressful time for both athletes and families. Our goal is to make the experience as positive, supportive, and educational as possible.
Fees/payments
The cost of player dues varies by team. You can view the 2025-2026 Club Fees for reference via our tryout page.
The 2026-2027 club fee information will be posted soon.
These fees cover:
- Gym Rental and facility costs
- Equipment and training resources
- USA Volleyball (USAV) Registration and insurance
- Tournament entry fees
- Coaches' salaries and staff development
- Administrative and operational costs
Important-Fees do not include:
Club fees do not cover travel expenses (flights, ground transportation to and from practice nor out-of-town tournaments, Hotels, meals), Uniforms, practice gear, or any personal expenses such as shopping, optional team activities. These costs vary by team and participation level. Team-related extras (such as group meals or activities) are optional and should never be considered a requirement. Families are encourage to make decisions that best fit their individual circumstances.
A non-refundable first payment of $500 to $800 (depending on your level of team) is due immediately following tryouts for athletes selected to an 11s through 17s Lite/Future team.
Credits may not be applied toward this initial payment.
The remaining balance will be spread out in monthly installments. Once athlete accepts a spot on a team, the full balance becomes non-refundable, and any unpaid amount will be due in the event of a breach of contract.
At Austin Junior Volleyball, we believes that athletes should participate based on their ability to play, not their ability to pay.
If the cost of club volleyball may be a barrier for your family, we encourage you to visit the Financial Assistance section of our website to learn more about available support options. Financial assistance is available to club members after accepting a team offer and submitting the first deposit.
At Austin Junior Volleyball, we believe athletes should have the opportunity to participate based on their ability and commitment—not their ability to pay.
If the cost of club volleyball may be a barrier for your family, we encourage you to visit the Financial Assistance section of our website to learn more about available support options. Our Work Program provides families the opportunity to volunteer their time and earn credits that can be applied toward club fees.
In addition, the Work Program Rewards—a matching program created by the Scholarship Committee and funded through the Scholarship Fund—offers participants a dollar-for-dollar matching credit based on the amount earned through the Work Program, providing even more opportunity to offset costs.
Tournaments
Our 2025- 2026 tournament schedule can be found on our tryout pages used as reference for the upcoming season.
Future 2026 Tournament Schedule
Once schedules are finalized, you can view your team's specific schedule by logging into Leagueapps via browser or app.
AJV Lite/Future Team Schedules Overview (2026–2027)
Each AJV team has a unique schedule based on age group, level, season length, and player dues. Once finalized, specific team schedules will be available under the Tournaments section of the AJV Lite/ Future Tryout page. In the meantime, please refer to the 2025–2026 schedule for a general idea of travel expectations.
Below is a general overview for the 2026–2027 season:
🏐 11s & 12s Lite Teams
- All tournaments are held in the Austin area
- Primarily one-day events, with some playdate (scrimmage-style) formats
- Season typically ends late April
🏐 13s & 14s Lite / Future Teams
- Primarily local (Austin-area) events
- Future Teams: Mostly one-day tournaments + playdates
- Lite Teams: May include 1–2 two-day tournaments depending on schedule
- Season typically ends late April
🏐 15s–17s Future Teams
- Mix of local one-day and two-day tournaments
- Season concludes with a two-day Lone Star Classic Warm-Up event
- Season typically ends late April
More details will be shared once the 2026–2027 season schedule is finalized.
Practices
Practice schedules for the 2025-2026 season can be found on our tryout page to be used as reference.
AJV Tentative Practice Schedule (2026–2027)
The tentative practice schedule is slated for Monday and Wednesday evenings at each team’s designated practice location.
🏐 Season Timeline
- Lite/Future Teams: Practices typically begin late November to early December
- 11s–14s Lite Teams: Optional Sunday training sessions offered in November
🏐 Lite Teams (11s–14s)
- November: Optional training sessions on Nov. 1, 8, and 15
- December – April: Minimum of 2 practices per week
Practice Locations:
- Austin Sports Center – Central
- Austin Sports Center – Cedar Park
- St. Andrew’s
- Possible additional North Austin location
Practice Times:
- Monday – Thursday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
🏐 Future Teams (13s–17s)
- December – April: Minimum of 2 practices per week
Practice Locations:
- Austin Sports Center – Cedar Park
- Possible additional North Austin location
Practice Times:
- Monday – Thursday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Practice days, times, and locations are subject to change based on gym availability and team assignments.
AJV Practice Facilities & Locations
We utilize multiple facilities across the Austin area to better serve our families and provide convenient practice locations.
Primary Facilities:
- Austin Sports Center – Central (ASC Central)
425 Woodward St, Austin, TX 78704 - Austin Sports Center – Cedar Park (ASC Cedar Park)
1420 Toro Grande Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613 - St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (SAS)
5901 Southwest Pkwy, Austin, TX 78735
🏐 Team Practice Locations
Future Teams (13s–17s):
- Potential North Austin location (TBA) and/or Austin Sports Center – Cedar Park
Lite Teams (11s–14s):
- Lite Cedar Park: Potential North Austin location and/or Austin Sports Center – Cedar Park
- Lite Central: Austin Sports Center – Central and/or St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
Practice locations are assigned based on team placement and may be adjusted based on gym availability.
If you're unable to attend a practice, please notify your coach as far in advance as possible. Communication is key and helps with planning team sessions effectively.
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- At Austin Junior Volleyball, we encourage multi-sport athletes and believe it contributes to becoming a more well-rounded player. However, it's your responsibility to communicate any scheduling conflicts with your coach. We recommend giving at least two weeks' notice for missed practices and a minimum of one month's notice for missed tournaments whenever possible.
issues
Playing Time Philosophy
At Austin Junior Volleyball, playing time is important to us — it’s a key opportunity for athletes to apply the skills and fundamentals they learn in practice. Only in a match setting can coaches and players clearly evaluate which areas are strong and which still need development.
Club membership fees go toward coaching, training, and development — not guaranteed playing time.
We strive to ensure that all players receive a fair amount of playing time — not necessarily an equal amount. When evaluating playing time, comparisons should be made between players in the same position. For example, if a team has three outside hitters but only two can play at once, one will need to sit out, whereas a team with only two middle hitters may see both playing more consistently.
Playing time is earned through consistent attendance, hard work in practice, and effective performance during game opportunities. Coaches are encouraged to involve all athletes during pool play, allowing them to contribute in different ways — whether that’s hitting, serving, or playing defense. As the team advances into bracket play, coaches may reward those players who have demonstrated strong performance earlier in the tournament.
Ultimately, playing time is at the coach’s discretion, and it will differ depending on the team’s level.
Conflict Resolution Process
We understand that conflicts may arise during the season. At Austin Junior Volleyball, we believe in teaching our athletes accountability and communication skills — both on and off the court. If an issue comes up, we ask that families follow this process:
Step 1: Encourage your athlete to speak directly with their coach. This is an important opportunity for them to advocate for themselves and build confidence in resolving challenges.
Step 2: If the issue is not resolved, the next step is to schedule a meeting with the coach, player, and parent.
Step 3: If further discussion is needed, a final meeting may be scheduled with the club director, coach, player, and parent.
Please note:
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Meetings will not be held without the player present.
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The club director will only be involved after both Step 1 and Step 2 have taken place.
uniforms / equipment
Missing or Damaged Uniform Items
If you are missing or have damaged jerseys or practice t-shirts, please contact your coach first. Your coach will then notify the club director to coordinate next steps.
If you are missing or need to replace equipment purchased through 431 Sports (such as shoes, kneepads, spandex, etc.), you will need to contact 431 Sports directly or place a replacement order through their site. Please note, the club no longer keeps extra inventory in our warehouse.
Uniform Policy & Gear Package Information
Yes — Austin Junior Volleyball is proud to be one of the few clubs in the nation with sponsorship support. Our sponsors go to great lengths to provide high-quality gear and equipment for our athletes, and we take that partnership seriously.
As such, no competitor logos are allowed during any team activities, including practices and tournaments.
You will receive a uniform gear package link from 431 Sports, and all required items must be purchased directly through that link. If you choose to purchase any gear items from outside sources, you will still be required to purchase them again through the 431 Sports package in order to meet club and sponsorship standards.
The cost of the gear package will range from $250–$500, depending on the age group and level of the team.