Newsletters 08

Wheatley's Wild West 2008 Summer Volleyball Camp #8

What a week we had in youth volleyball at the 15th annual Wild West camp. It was truly amazing to see the way youth volleyball has really exploded in Venice. We had over 80 kids ranging from kindergarten to 8th graders having a great time at camp. It is amazing to look back over the years to see how far ahead some of our younger kids are compared to back then. I remember the 1st annual when we had about 20 kids and went from 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. It was pretty exhausting. I want to thank our camp counselors who made the week a total success. Jillian Allen, Whitney Steranko, Dorothy Rahal, Kaylee Ream, Ashley Graf, Jessica Costanzo, Brittany Burrows, and Kelsey McNamee. Coach Lanham and myself were so impressed with the way they handled themselves throughout the week. They were role models that that our campers looked up to each day. They were extremely positive and energetic. Whitneys wacky wierdo's came up big in the last match against Jessica's Hot Tamales to take the the camp championship While Ashley's Hippies won the spirit award. This camp is all about getting young girls to learn to love to play the sport of volleyball and have a passion for it. It was really cool to watch our counselors keep their teams up and energetic when their team was struggling. I think it was one of our best camps ever because of how well the kids responded to the coaches

Wheatley's Wild West 2008 Summer Volleyball Camp
Venice & Sarasota Girls Volleyball Camp

End of Season #7

"The Six W's: Work will win when wishing won't." - Todd Blackledge

Now that this Venetian Bay season is almost complete, we really, really, really wish to thank ALL of the Parents, Players and Coaches for the most totally successful year in the 10 season history of our family.

We would like to especially thank our Venetian Bay Volleyball Club Coaches. As a group they accomplished much and have tons to be proud of. THANK YOU for YOUR commitment, to rush to practice after work, to take your Saturday and Sundays up with volleyball, to answer parent questions, players skill needs, doing so over 4 months and STILL holding your real full time job! You did it!! THANK YOU!!!!

How to Play Hard #6

Congratulations to the teams who went to the OVA Invitational in Orlando this weekend. All of our teams except one competed in the open division and two of the five teams got into the gold bracket. Our teams have come a long way since January and it was exciting to watch the teams compete in every match. Also, as usual, Venetian Bay players (and parents) did a phenomenal job at the hotel this weekend. We had no complaints from the other guests and all stayed in their assigned rooms. Great job! If you took pictures this past weekend, please send them to the webmaster. We want to get some good photos on the site of teams playing or just having fun hanging around at the tournament.

Steps to Developing the Ideal Volleyball Player #5

Introduction to the Mental Game.

The head coach was faced with a problem many of us are all too familiar with: a team blessed with physical ability that could not quite put it all together. They needed something more, something that would bring them together and, “put them over the top. The next day a team meeting was called and the group assembled in a classroom.

Venetian Bay Volleyball Newsletter #4

Houston - 15s & 16s - The balance for the Houston flight will be due no later then Feb. 20. As stated in December, the price of the flight will be $285. Please turn in $285 by Feb 20 to PO Box 1752 Venice, FL 34284. Make checks payable to Venetian Bay Volleyball. After this date, the seat will be let go by the airlines. Parents who are verbally confirmed on Houston flight, if this is not correct, please contact Coach Wheatley

Recruiting Tips: Planning The Season #3

As we start a new club season, be sure to take a few minutes to plan your recruiting calendar. You should have a basic plan, knowing that it may change depending on the status of your situation. Below is a brief overview for unsigned athletes in each grade level. Where it indicates to contact coaches, CBound provides an efficient resource through its free CBound Schools that gives you contact information.

What’s “Monkey Mind” and How Do We Control It? #2

Last week we talked about how hard work beats talent that doesn't work hard. Some of the hardest work we do on the volleyball court is controlling our thoughts. Before reading further, take a minute to sit quietly and notice all of the thoughts that are going through your head in one minute.

All of those random thoughts are called “monkey mind.” These thoughts distract you in competition and sometimes they undermine your competitive determination and focus. Here are two examples from the Clearwater tournament.