We'd also like to introduce a new club to South Florida: Miami Select Volleyball Club.
Miami Select is headed by a true fan of the sport and it's development; Charlie Albano.
We recently sayt down with Charlie and discussed different elements of his club - Miami Select.
SFVR: What was the inspiration to open a "NEW" club in Miami?
ALBANO: We felt that with some local clubs downsizing or folding all together, our opinion was that the growth of volleyball in Miami would take a step backwards if another club was not created. Our goal is to not take players away from other clubs but to add to the quality of players in the area. I have always been a forward thinker and I would love to eventually see the kids in Miami compete at the highest levels. That will happen if every club realizes that they have a certain role in the process. We certainly have the quality of athletes to grow our programs here in Miami and I think with cooperation we can help the Miami volleyball community become a national powerhouse. I have personally trained hundreds of kids at the middle school level only to watch them go on to play in high school and lose focus on the passion that they once had when they were younger players. If more kids played year round, this short coming would be turned around. We want to instill great work ethics at a young age and continue that through the high school years. We are providing an avenue to keep the kids away from falling into the trap of the electronic age and social networks that take away their focus. Our kids don’t have the same physical fitness programs that many of us had when we grew up and I feel that it is important to keep these kids active by some means. Volleyball provides an awesome opportunity for the kids to do that. With the amount of growth the sport has seen in recent years in both the girls’ and boys’ programs we think the time is right to help put Miami on the volleyball map.
SFVR: Briefly go over the types of coaches and general experiences that they bring to the club?
ALBANO: Our coaches are a young group. All of them have played in high school, club, college and some have pro-experience. They are currently coaching at different levels, which give them the opportunity to help our players grow in progression through the years. They all share similar philosophies on how to coach and if there are indifferences about any coaching techniques it gets discussed in an open forum at our weekly coaches meetings. We call it the knights of the oblong table. Everyone throws out different ideas at the table and after much deliberation will agree on a common goal. This is what is so great about our coaching staff. Although they don’t always agree on things they are open minded and will reach a common goal for the benefit of the program. Not only are they great coaches but also great people. Their goals as a group are to not only create great players but also create great people and leaders in the community. They understand that in training elite athletes, they must focus on keeping the kids in top shape as well as in good mental form. The pre-season forum came to the conclusion to improve every player, every day. They know if that happens that victories will certainly come along with that type of re-inforcement.
SFVR: What is the goal for the 2010/2011 Club year?
ALBANO: To improve every player that walks into our gym everyday. We also want to be a club where every coach, player and parent feels a sense of ownership and are proud to be a part of Miami Select. Every member of the club should feel comfortable with the coaches and club director that they can offer advice as to how to improve our product. We know we can’t be all things to all people but we can be great mentors for the young players who play with our club.
SFVR: Congratulations, we feel that your addition to the South Florida Volleyball community will help all players at all levels to excell and become the best that they can be. We at the report wish you a great year as you join the fraternity of great clubs in South Florida.
TRY-OUTS: The Miami Select Volleyball Club will be conducting tryouts for 11U-14U age divisions on Monday, October 18th. and Wednesday, October, 20th at the Killian High School Gym. Information and registration will be from 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Tryouts will be run from 7:30-9:30pm.
For more information, please visit www.miamiselectvolleyball.com
No comments:
Post a Comment