Coronavirus

The NC Volleyball Academy takes the safety of our athletes very seriously. We know the news of the coronavirus has everyone concerned as it should with our upcoming travel to tournaments. Please know that the administration of NC Volleyball Academy is closely monitoring this through advisories and updates while closely following the USAV organization who will be the ones to cancel the National Tournaments we are attending. Please see below the latest email that was sent to USA Volleyball Members and Friends:

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 6/15/2020

Academy was allowed to reopen by City of Durham since June 1. The health and safety of our club participants and staff is one of our top priorities. We have developed and updated on the regular basis our COVID-19 Safety Protocol by following CDC and NC Department of Public Health as well as USAV/JVA guidelines. We expect all our customers and staff members to learn and follow these rules for the safety of all of us.

Academy COVID-19 Safety Protocol

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 5/8/2020

We have decided to extend the activity cancellation and gym closure through May 31 based on the following recommendations and updates. Meanwhile, Academy is preparing for reopeing policies, procedures and schedules that would be in line with the federal and state regulations and recommendations to ensure the best possible safety for our athletes and staff. Stay tuned!

USAV Updates: May 5, 2020 Update
As referenced in our communication on April 24, a “return to play” task force was established by USA Volleyball to create a comprehensive roadmap to safely restart USAV’s sanctioning of activities when it is appropriate. The task force has been meeting diligently and gathering information from United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), medical experts, government entities, volleyball clubs and other national governing bodies to help pave our course of action. At this point, the group believes that it is premature to safely commence play and thus USA Volleyball is extending the elimination of sanctions for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through May 22, 2020.

CR Updates: May 4, 2020

Ban on Sanctions Extended to May 31
The Carolina Region has decided to extend the ban on USAV-sanctioned events through May 31, 2020. This means no USAV sanctioned events are allowed through that date (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions (exception virtual training sessions per the previous announcement below), beach tournaments, or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance). We have had to cancel the remaining Junior Beach Tour tournaments in May that were still pending during this time period. The Schedule has been updated to show those events as CANCELLED.

We are expecting the state of North Carolina to give an update on the NC Stay-At-Home policy any day now. This will impact our ability to sanction events as a region beyond the month of May. We'll send out updates as we see what the state will do.

We hope everyone is staying safe during this unprecedented time. We miss seeing everyone on the courts!

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 4/27/2020

USAV Updates: April 22, 2020 Update - 3 p.m. Mountain

USA Volleyball is extending the elimination of sanctions for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through May 8, 2020.

Following several communications with the USOPC, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and our insurance providers, USA Volleyball has received permission to sanction virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings during this period of sanction suspension. Any virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings involving minors are subject to requirements of MAAPP, specifically the regulations on electronic communications and one-on-one interactions. These requirements include the following:

All virtual trainings/coaching/meetings must be “observable and interruptible,” able to be ended at any time, and have at least two applicable adults on each session, i.e., coach and assistant, coach and club director, etc.
All parents/guardians must be provided the code or link to join the virtual session.
All parents/guardians must sign a waiver in advance as these sessions could be viewed as individual training. A record of which clubs/coaches have been approved to conduct these sessions should be kept. USAV has created a standardized waiver form if you care to use it.
If a minor athlete ends up emailing a video to a coach for feedback or additional coaching, the coach needs to copy the parent/guardian and/or other applicable adult on all correspondences.

To be clear, virtual training/coaching/instruction/meetings will only be considered sanctioned so long as the above requirements are followed.

USA Volleyball has been asked by local clubs whether such ban applies to club activities covered under the club’s own (non-USA Volleyball) insurance. In these situations, USA Volleyball strongly encourages all member clubs and coaches to adhere to USA Volleyball’s policies. However, should a club decide to voluntarily disregard those policies and assume all risks associated therewith, we recommend that the club adhere to CDC; local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations when deciding whether or not to host practices or individual training sessions. If a club does host practice or individual training sessions, those activities would be considered a non-sanctioned activity by USA Volleyball and thus NOT covered by USA Volleyball insurance.

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

USA Volleyball is monitoring the situation daily and will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 3/31/2020

We have decided to extend the activity cancellation and gym closure through April 30 based on the following recommendations and updates,

USAV Updates: March 31, 2020 Update

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

National Qualifiers Update: Since most tournaments have rescheduled their dates, we will finalize the changes we need to make and update all teams involved.

• Mid-East Qualifier - Postponed to May 30- June 1, 2020(16-18s)
• Northeast Qualifier - Postponed to June 6-8 & 12-14, 2020
• Big South Qualifier - Postponed to June 5-7, 2020
• Lone Star Qualifier - Postponed to June 6-8, 2020
• Northern Lights Qualifier - Postponed to May 15-17,2020
• South Atlantic Championships - Canceled
• Southern Exposure - Canceled
• 18s USAV National - Postponed to June 23-25,2020
• 12-17s USAV National - No changes yet
• 18s AAU National - Postponed to June 25-28, 2020
• 12-17s AAU National - No changes yet

AAU Tryouts Updates

Academy AAU tryouts(11-16s) are postponed from April 2 to 5-630P, May 1, 2020. All families that have registered the tryouts have been notified.

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 3/19/2020

USAV Updates: March 19, 2020 Update - 3:30 p.m. Mountain

USA Volleyball is announcing the elimination of sanctions for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, team activities, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) through April 15, 2020. USA Volleyball is monitoring the situation daily and will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

The health and welfare of our membership, volleyball families and fellow citizens is our primary concern in all decisions we are making during these uncharted times.

National Qualifiers Update

• Mid-East Qualifier - Canceled but currently looking at May 23^rd and the May 30^thweekend
• Northeast National Qualifier - Postponed. New dates are pending
• Big South Qualifier - Postponed to June 5-7, 2020
• Lone Star Qualifier - Postponed, New dates are pending
• Northern Lights Qualifier - Postponed to May 15-17,2020

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 3/14/2020

We have decided to extend the activity cancellation and gym closure through March 22 based on the following recommendations and updates,

USAV Updates: March 13, 2020 Update - 5 p.m. Mountain

We are continuing to monitor the status of COVID-19 coronavirus. In the interest of welfare and safety of our membership, USA Volleyball is eliminating the sanctioning for all USA Volleyball activities (including but not limited to events, practices, individual training sessions or anything covered by USA Volleyball insurance) effective 11:59 p.m., Friday, March 13. This ban on all USA Volleyball sanctioned activities extends through March 31. We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will provide periodic updates as information becomes more apparent. Please refer to this page for the latest updated information.

CR Region Update: March 13,2020 - 507 p.m.

• Regional Championship Weekends - CANCELLED
The Carolina Region Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel all Regional Championship Events on the March 21/22 and March 28/29 weekends. There were many factors in the decision. We had hoped to wait and see how things progressed over the weekend and make a decision later, but we began losing sites based on the decisions of other organizations and groups. In the end, the health and safety of all our participants is most important to us. Please see our full Announcement for additional information on the cancellations.
• Practices - CANCELLED Through March 22
We are getting questions about practices. USA Volleyball has recommended all sanctioned events through March 22 be cancelled for the health and safety of participants. The Carolina Region is now supporting that recommendation and encourages you to cancel any practices through March 22. However, the decision on whether to hold non-sanctioned practices is up to each club. USA Volleyball is gathering additional information from its Risk Managers and Insurance Provider. We will pass along any information once we receive it. Regardless of when clubs resume their practices, clubs should do a thorough cleaning of all their facilities, limit spectators, and enact other safety precautions to decrease their risks.

North Carolina - March 14
Gov. Roy Cooper has ordered all public schools to close for the next two weeks. He has also ordered mass gatherings of 100 or more people to end with the exception of restaurants and malls.

NCAA Recruiting Dead Period

The NCAA announced on Friday, March 13, that all Division I sports would enter a recruiting dead period until April 15. The dead period eliminates on-campus and off-campus in-person contact with prospective student-athletes, but still permits phone calls and electronic communication between coaches and eligible recruits.

National Qualifiers Update

• Mid-East Qualifier - Canceled
• Red Rock Rave Qualifier - Pending
• Northeast National Qualifier - Postponed
• Big South Qualifier - Pending
• Lone Star Qualifier - Pending
• Northern Lights Qualifier - Pending

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 3/13/2020

USAV Updates: March 13, 2020 Update - 5 p.m. Mountain

Northeast Qualifier (11-17s) - Postponed

In keeping with the City of Philadelphia's announcement banning public gatherings of 1,000 or more, the 2020 Under Armour Northeast National Qualifier will be postponed. NEQ staff is actively in communication with the City, various venues and USA Volleyball to investigate options to potentially still run the Northeast Qualifier at a later time.

The COVID-19 situation and its effects on all of us is uncharted territory with no clear path or conclusion. NEQ staff is examining all options and want to make an appropriate decision that considers the safety and best interests of the community.

There are still many aspects of this proposed move that requires more information from the City of Philadelphia, the Convention Center and the hotel community. We will have follow up information next week.

Your patience and understanding during this time is greatly appreciated.

Please stay safe in these very unique times.

CR Region Update: March 13,2020 - 507 p.m.

Regional Championship Weekends - CANCELLED

The Carolina Region Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel all Regional Championship Events on the March 21/22 and March 28/29 weekends. There were many factors in the decision. We had hoped to wait and see how things progressed over the weekend and make a decision later, but we began losing sites based on the decisions of other organizations and groups. In the end, the health and safety of all our participants is most important to us. Please see our full Announcement for additional information on the cancellations.

CR Regional Championship Cancellation Announcement
CR Regional Championships Video Announcement

Academy's Response on Coronavirus - 3/12/2020

Your athletes health and well being is always our number one priority, and thus we have been carefully watching the progression of the Coronavirus disease in our area. Effective today, Academy has made the decision to cancel all club activities through Sunday, March 15th. This includes practices, lessons, and any clinics scheduled for this weekend. Additionally, all regional tournaments this weekend have been cancelled. Please read statements from region and USAV below. We will continue to monitor the outbreak during our closure and provide a reopening date when we feel it is fully safe for players, parents, and staff.

USAV Updates: March 11, 2020 Update - 10 p.m. Mountain

Due to recent events and information concerning the current status of the COVID-19 coronavirus, USA Volleyball is recommending that all USAV-sanctioned events scheduled through March 22 be postponed or cancelled to ensure the welfare and safety of our athletes, spectators and staff. We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will provide periodic updates as information becomes more apparent. Please refer to this page for the latest updated information on USA Volleyball events. Please view the full update HERE.

The Mid-East Qualifier has been cancelled.
Statement from USA Volleyball (issued 10 p.m., March 11, 2020)
Due to recent events and information concerning the current status of the COVID-19 coronavirus, USA Volleyball is recommending that all USAV-sanctioned events scheduled through March 22 be postponed or cancelled to ensure the welfare and safety of our athletes, spectators and staff. We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will provide periodic updates as information becomes more apparent. Please refer to this page for the latest updated information on USA Volleyball events.

Mid-East Qualifier is a USAV-sanctioned event. Visit the Mid-east Qualifier's webpage.

CR Region Update: March 12,2020 - 218 p.m.

March 14/15 Tournaments
All Carolina Region sanctioned tournaments this weekend have been cancelled as a safety precaution. We have posted this cancellation on our Tournament System and all team reps have been emailed.

Regional Championship Weekends
As of today, we are still planning on holding our Regional Championship events if we can. It is a fluid situation in our state, and we will continue to monitor the situation. If we decide to hold the events, clubs/teams should be prepared for additional safety precautions similar to what the NCAA Championships are doing (immediate family only as spectators, no one over 65, those with underlying health concerns should stay home, etc.). Please note that the USAV cancellations are referring to USAV nationally sanctioned events. Regionally sanctioned events are still under the authroity of the Regions and each region is making their own decisions on their events.

We do ask that if any teams are planning to withdraw from a Regional Championship event regardless of whether we hold it or not, to please notify the Region office by Wed, March 18 if not earlier (for the March 21/22 tournaments). That will allow us to see where we stand with teams. Due to the circumstances, any teams that withdraw from a Regional Championship event will still receive a full refund as long as they notify us before the event is held.

CR Tournament System

In preparation for when we do return, we ask that you follow the below precautions in and outside of our gym.

NC Academy Actions:

We have extra weekly HI-CON virus-killing service on top of our regular gym cleaning.
We have disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer located all throughout our gym. However, due to the outbreak, we are in limited supply. We ask if there are any families who have access to additional supplies, consider donating to the club.
We ask anyone who is feeling sick (sneezing, cough, fever) please refrain from attending practices or other gym events (lessons, clinics, etc.).
We ask everyone to wash their hands for 20 seconds upon entering and leaving the gym.
We advise not to shake hands whenever possible, substitute with fist or elbow bumping.

If you have further questions or concerns about the Coronavirus, Please find below the links of reputable information sources.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please call the North Carolina COVID-19 helpline at 1-866-462-3821.

We appreciate your assistance and cooperation with the situation. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update our families as needed.

Sincerely,

NC Academy Administration