In 2007, Doug Balser began Champion Volleyball Membership with only one crew, and over the previous 17 years the membership has flourished into 38 groups throughout 3 places, welcoming over 380 devoted indoor membership season athletes, over 180 Spring League individuals, and roughly 50 seashore athletes. Whereas the membership has steadily grown its year-round programming, it has all the time put an emphasis on neighborhood service and rising accessibility of the game of volleyball by the Champion Outreach Program.
Champion Volleyball Membership is constantly looking for new alternatives to have interaction their athletes in significant actions and share their ardour for volleyball throughout the Winston Salem neighborhood. The Champion Outreach Program already hosts Block Out Childhood Most cancers and Block Out Starvation fundraising occasions. Most not too long ago, with the assistance of Coach Maggie Joyce, and her robust dedication to working with people with Down Syndrome, and in collaboration with the Down Syndrome Affiliation of Higher Winston Salem (DSAGSW), Champion Volleyball Membership deliberate a free occasion known as Aces for Down Syndrome.
Internet hosting an ACEs Down Syndrome occasion is method for the membership to make a significant impression, show their dedication to inclusivity, and enrich their neighborhood by the love of the game. The occasion goals to show volleyball expertise whereas fostering inclusion and understanding. Champion Volleyball Membership Director of Operations Olivia Morris shares the objectives and impression of internet hosting an ACEs Down Syndrome occasion:
“Promotes Inclusivity and Consciousness: This occasion gives a platform to lift consciousness about Down Syndrome and foster inclusivity inside our neighborhood. By organizing such occasions, we present that our membership values variety and is dedicated to creating an surroundings the place everybody feels welcome and supported.
Neighborhood Engagement: Internet hosting an occasion that focuses on Down Syndrome encourages neighborhood participation. It permits us to attach with households, buddies, and people affected by Down Syndrome, fostering a way of unity and assist.
Empowering People: These occasions will be empowering for people with Down Syndrome, providing them an opportunity to take part in volleyball actions and expertise the enjoyment of the game. It additionally highlights their skills and contributions, difficult stereotypes and selling optimistic representations.
Strengthening Membership Values: Organizing and taking part in an ACEs occasion aligns with our membership’s core values of teamwork, assist, and compassion. It gives a possibility for our members to offer again, develop a way of empathy, and reinforce the significance of neighborhood service.
Elevating Funds and Sources: Such occasions may also be a platform for fundraising, which might assist packages and assets for people with Down Syndrome. This will embrace instructional packages, social actions, and different supportive providers that improve their high quality of life.
Constructing Lifelong Connections: Participating in occasions that assist people with Down Syndrome helps construct lasting relationships throughout the neighborhood. These connections can result in a stronger, extra inclusive neighborhood the place everybody has a way of belonging.”
In June 2024, Morris, utilized for the JVA Grant Program, to fund Aces for Down Syndrome, and the applying was authorised.
“The JVA Grant for ACEs for Down Syndrome has been a game-changer for our volleyball membership. With this beneficiant funding, we’ve been in a position to buy specialised tools that ensures our occasions are accessible and pleasant for self-advocate athletes. From adaptive volleyballs to inclusive coaching aids, the brand new gear enhances the expertise for all individuals, fostering a extra supportive and empowering surroundings. This grant not solely symbolizes monetary assist but in addition represents a dedication to inclusivity, permitting athletes of all skills to shine and be celebrated on the court docket. The optimistic impression of this grant will resonate by our neighborhood, reinforcing the values of equality and teamwork,” mentioned Morris.
To advertise the occasion, Champion Volleyball Membership arrange a useful resource desk on the Buddy Stroll hosted by DSAGWS on October twelfth, that includes a volleyball internet and 4-Sq. within the Air to show the actions deliberate for the next week.
On October nineteenth from 9am-12pm ACEs for Down Syndrome was held at Champion Volleyball Membership’s indoor facility. 12 self advocate athletes registered for the occasion. There have been six coaches from the membership onsite and 15 athletes who volunteered as coaches. 4square within the air was arrange on one court docket, two smaller adjustable nets have been arrange on one other court docket, setter targets have been arrange on the third court docket after which a fourth court docket was obtainable as a free court docket. The membership’s athletes partnered up and loved instructing the essential expertise to the individuals, tossing balls, and dealing on serving and hitting. The households of the individuals have been in a position to sit within the bleachers and simply take pleasure in watching their athlete have enjoyable. Contributors performed video games like crimson mild inexperienced mild, tag and soccer along with the teaching workers.
“This occasion combines our love for volleyball with the objective of elevating consciousness and understanding about Down Syndrome, together with its prospects, challenges, and developments in training and remedy. I wish to categorical my gratitude to our unbelievable athletes and their households for volunteering and making this occasion an outstanding success. Your time, effort, and unwavering assist are the heartbeats that drive our neighborhood ahead. Your dedication not solely helped create an inclusive and enriching expertise but in addition highlighted the true spirit of teamwork and generosity that defines our membership. Thanks to your invaluable contributions and for making this occasion a memorable and impactful event for everybody concerned. Your involvement really makes a distinction,” added Morris.
Champion Volleyball Membership stands as a beacon of progress and alternative within the volleyball neighborhood, fostering each talent growth and a love for the sport. Along with it’s Champion Outreach Program, the membership is discovering methods to develop its grassroots packages by introducing Champs VolleyStart, an 8-week in-house program designed for newcomers or these not but able to decide to journey groups, with roughly 35 athletes enrolled thus far. The Lil Champs program for ages 5-9 is steadily rising, at the moment participating youth athletes ages 7-10 years previous. Along with internet hosting quite a few juniors tournaments all through the season, the membership hosts grownup RevCo tournaments one to 2 occasions per thirty days from October by January to have interaction the grownup volleyball neighborhood.
“I wish to thank Doug Balser for his assist and perception in me to host numerous occasions and interact our athletes. As somebody primarily centered on administrative duties slightly than teaching, it’s extremely rewarding to contribute with these exceptional younger athletes extra than simply volleyball. Our stellar teaching workers excels in guiding these younger women to greatness on the court docket. I’m proud to contribute in ways in which impression life classes they may carry past the court docket. Being a part of the distinctive workers that Balser has constructed over time is wonderful. He has really created a program that welcomes everybody and fosters a real sense of household throughout the Champion neighborhood. Thanks, Balser, to your inspiring management and the chance to be a part of this unbelievable journey,” shared Morris.
We look ahead to seeing how Champion Volleyball Membership continues to positively impression the Winston Salem neighborhood because it spreads pleasure, inclusivity accessibility, and the love for volleyball by its modern programming and neighborhood outreach.
Champion Volleyball Membership (Winston Salem, NC) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Affiliation, a nonprofit group that’s 100% centered on enhancing the junior volleyball expertise for over 1,500 golf equipment, administrators, coaches and athletes. Via the JVA Grant Program, QCVA acquired funding to assist its Coaching Program this previous season. To study extra concerning the JVA Grant Program go to jvavolleyball.org/jva-grant-program/
View extra assets for Membership Administrators.
In 2007, Doug Balser began Champion Volleyball Membership with only one crew, and over the previous 17 years the membership has flourished into 38 groups throughout 3 places, welcoming over 380 devoted indoor athletes over 180 Spring League individuals, and roughly 50 seashore athletes. Whereas the membership has steadily grown its year-round programming, it has all the time put an emphasis on neighborhood service and rising accessibility of the game of volleyball by the Champion Outreach Program.
Champion Volleyball Membership is constantly looking for new alternatives to have interaction their athletes in significant actions and share their ardour for volleyball throughout the Winston Salem neighborhood. The Champion Outreach Program already hosts Block Out Childhood Most cancers and Block Out Starvation fundraising occasions. Most not too long ago, with the assistance of Coach Maggie Joyce, and her robust dedication to working with people with Down Syndrome, and in collaboration with the Down Syndrome Affiliation of Higher Winston Salem (DSAGSW), Champion Volleyball Membership deliberate a free occasion known as Aces for Down Syndrome.
Internet hosting an ACEs Down Syndrome occasion is method for the membership to make a significant impression, show their dedication to inclusivity, and enrich their neighborhood by the love of the game. The occasion goals to show volleyball expertise whereas fostering inclusion and understanding. Champion Volleyball Membership Director of Operations Olivia Morris shares the objectives and impression of internet hosting an ACEs Down Syndrome occasion:
“Promotes Inclusivity and Consciousness: This occasion gives a platform to lift consciousness about Down Syndrome and foster inclusivity inside our neighborhood. By organizing such occasions, we present that our membership values variety and is dedicated to creating an surroundings the place everybody feels welcome and supported.
Neighborhood Engagement: Internet hosting an occasion that focuses on Down Syndrome encourages neighborhood participation. It permits us to attach with households, buddies, and people affected by Down Syndrome, fostering a way of unity and assist.
Empowering People: These occasions will be empowering for people with Down Syndrome, providing them an opportunity to take part in volleyball actions and expertise the enjoyment of the game. It additionally highlights their skills and contributions, difficult stereotypes and selling optimistic representations.
Strengthening Membership Values: Organizing and taking part in an ACEs occasion aligns with our membership’s core values of teamwork, assist, and compassion. It gives a possibility for our members to offer again, develop a way of empathy, and reinforce the significance of neighborhood service.
Elevating Funds and Sources: Such occasions may also be a platform for fundraising, which might assist packages and assets for people with Down Syndrome. This will embrace instructional packages, social actions, and different supportive providers that improve their high quality of life.
Constructing Lifelong Connections: Participating in occasions that assist people with Down Syndrome helps construct lasting relationships throughout the neighborhood. These connections can result in a stronger, extra inclusive neighborhood the place everybody has a way of belonging.”
In June 2024, Morris, utilized for the JVA Grant Program, to fund Aces for Down Syndrome, and the applying was authorised.
“The JVA Grant for ACEs for Down Syndrome has been a game-changer for our volleyball membership. With this beneficiant funding, we’ve been in a position to buy specialised tools that ensures our occasions are accessible and pleasant for self-advocate athletes. From adaptive volleyballs to inclusive coaching aids, the brand new gear enhances the expertise for all individuals, fostering a extra supportive and empowering surroundings. This grant not solely symbolizes monetary assist but in addition represents a dedication to inclusivity, permitting athletes of all skills to shine and be celebrated on the court docket. The optimistic impression of this grant will resonate by our neighborhood, reinforcing the values of equality and teamwork,” mentioned Morris.
To advertise the occasion, Champion Volleyball Membership arrange a useful resource desk on the Buddy Stroll hosted by DSAGWS on October twelfth, that includes a volleyball internet and 4-Sq. within the Air to show the actions deliberate for the next week.
On October nineteenth from 9am-12pm ACEs for Down Syndrome was held at Champion Volleyball Membership’s indoor facility. 12 self advocate athletes registered for the occasion. There have been six coaches from the membership onsite and 15 athletes who volunteered as coaches. 4square within the air was arrange on one court docket, two smaller adjustable nets have been arrange on one other court docket, setter targets have been arrange on the third court docket after which a fourth court docket was obtainable as a free court docket. The membership’s athletes partnered up and loved instructing the essential expertise to the individuals, tossing balls, and dealing on serving and hitting. The households of the individuals have been in a position to sit within the bleachers and simply take pleasure in watching their athlete have enjoyable. Contributors performed video games like crimson mild inexperienced mild, tag and soccer along with the teaching workers.
“This occasion combines our love for volleyball with the objective of elevating consciousness and understanding about Down Syndrome, together with its prospects, challenges, and developments in training and remedy,” added Morris.
Champion Volleyball Membership stands as a beacon of progress and alternative within the volleyball neighborhood, fostering each talent growth and a love for the sport. Along with it’s Champion Outreach Program, the membership is discovering methods to develop its grassroots packages by introducing Champs VolleyStart, an 8-week in-house program designed for newcomers or these not but able to decide to journey groups, with roughly 35 athletes enrolled thus far. The Lil Champs program for ages 5-9 is steadily rising, at the moment participating youth athletes ages 7-10 years previous. Along with internet hosting quite a few juniors tournaments all through the season, the membership hosts grownup RevCo tournaments one to 2 occasions per thirty days from October by January to have interaction the grownup volleyball neighborhood.
We look ahead to seeing how Champion Volleyball Membership continues to unfold pleasure and the love for volleyball by its neighborhood outreach and modern packages.
Champion Volleyball Membership (Winston Salem, NC) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Affiliation, a nonprofit group that’s 100% centered on enhancing the junior volleyball expertise for over 1,500 golf equipment, administrators, coaches and athletes. Via the JVA Grant Program, QCVA acquired funding to assist its Coaching Program this previous season. To study extra concerning the JVA Grant Program go to jvavolleyball.org/jva-grant-program/
View extra assets for Membership Administrators.
