There's a new volleyball organization in town and they're looking for players that haven't had an opportunity to experience the spikes and hits of competitive youth volleyball, and even players that have the experience, but want to spend a little less for their playing time.
The Amateur Athletic Union is now running volleyball tournaments and hosting clubs for the first time in Utah.
"AAU the organization itself has been involved in a number of sports," said Mike Muaina, the AAU Utah chair for volleyball. "When it came to volleyball they had no presence here in Utah and really for that matter in a lot of western states. So we've reached out and we're trying to get a foothold, knowing that many of the states are really big supporters of USA Volleyball, which is the largest organization for volleyball."
Muaina, who has been affiliated with USA Volleyball for the past 20 years, said that AAU is a grass roots movement to promote volleyball and be a little more affordable, which is why he became involved.
"We don't want to diminish any other organization and what they've done for the game of volleyball, but we want to help families from an economic point of view to participate in the game," said Muaina. "In order to compete in the offseason clubs are around in every sport, and AAU supports that. Honestly, volleyball is an expensive sport. Parents will pay anywhere from $4,500 to $1,200 for kids to play, and that works for the people who have the ability to pay that, but there are a number of talents who can't participate or won't participate because of that cost."
George Miles, a longtime volleyball coach and director of Northern Utah Volleyball Academy, fields teams under the new AAU umbrella and also with USA Volleyball. NUVA is also sponsoring AAU tournaments this year at the Kaysville Sportsplex.
"USA Volleyball has just been so strong, but the prices have just gotten out of sight with these girls playing club, so we wanted to bring in a less expensive option. I have teams registered with both," said Miles. "My philosophy is just make volleyball better. I don't care how."
AAU's youth athlete fee is $12, while USA Volleyball charges $55. Each organization offers different benefits with their membership.
AAU has hosted a couple hundred kids at tournaments in January and this month, and they have various tournaments planned from March through May.
"We're off to a great start," said Muaina. "We anticipate that the first and even second year we'll be low in numbers, but as we continue our support of making it affordable, I think there will be change."
The next AAU tournament is this Saturday for ages 12, 13, and 14.
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