Extended Age Divisions and Playing “Up” or Playing “Down”

The OVA allows athletes born between Sept. 1 – Dec. 31 (extended age class) to “play down” on a younger team. While we recognize that this may benefit an athlete who starts competitive volleyball later than most, it is not a general practice we follow beyond an athlete’s first year of competitive volleyball and only if that athlete would benefit from a year at early development (and there is not a spot on a tier 2 or tier 3 team). We strive to have athletes play in the age division that coincides with their school year (i.e. grade 9 athletes playing 15U). Experience has taught us that allowing athletes to play down jeopardizes the long-term development and composition of a team either when that older athlete eventually moves to their regular age division or graduates. In addition, allowing older athletes to play in younger divisions lessens opportunities for the younger athletes who are denied a spot due to having older athletes occupy a team. We will not purposely create teams with extended age-class athletes simply to ‘stack’ teams eligible to compete in a younger age class.

Athletes who believe they have the ability to “play up” must be assessed and approved by the club President and Technical Director. These athletes will display the traits to play with older athletes long-term (i.e. emotional maturity, physical attributes, higher than average skill level, etc).