Is FC Elite extending retention offers?
We will only be extending retention offers for the 10s and 11s this year.
If I accept a retention offer with my current club, can I still tryout for FC Elite?
No, by accepting your retention offer, you are committed to that club for the 2025-26 season. If you would like to make an FC Elite team, we recommend declining the retention offer. You may always try out with that club, if you'd like to be considered there if you do not receive an FC Elite offer.
How many teams will FC Elite have for nationals and regionals at each age group?
That is to be determined and will be driven largely off of how many try out and how deep the talent pool is. We anticipate 3-5 teams per age group.
Are players offered spots on specific teams at tryouts or only certain age groups and teams later assigned?
This summer, players will be offered either a national spot or a regional spot at a specific age group. Once practices start, the players that accepted a national offer will be assigned to one of the national teams. The players that accepted a regional offer will be assigned to one of the regional teams.
When will coaches be assigned to specific teams?
We anticipate making team assignments for coaches this summer and making any adjustments needed in the fall.
What if my high school coach is listed as a coach for my age division? Can I make a team?
If a player makes a team and there would be a conflict with a school coach, we make changes to the coaching assignments to ensure the athlete can play on the team she should make.
How do I know which age group to try out for?
Age groups are determined by the athlete’s date of birth and grade. USAV and the Badger Region have outlined the age classifications here. Generally, we recommend trying out with your grade, so that you are playing with girls that are in the same recruiting class as you, but we understand some girls are not ready for that, so you may register for the age in which your birth date falls. If you are still unsure which age group you qualify for, please email Amy at fcelite.volleyball@gmail.com
How do I know whether to try out for a National or Regional team?
Most age groups have both national and regional teams. The "National" teams will be the highest commitment level and are geared towards athletes who want to play volleyball at the top level and travel outside of Wisconsin. The "Regional" division teams are a lower commitment level and are a great fit for athletes who don't want to travel as much.
During the tryout registration you can select which type of team you want to be considered for. If you state that you only want to play on a National team, we will not place you on a regional team. If you state that you only want to play on a Regional team, we will not place you on a national team. You may opt to indicate you’d like to play on either type of team with FC Elite.
If I want to try out for Regional but can't make that tryout, can I be evaluated at the National tryout?
No, we will only be evaluating national players at that tryout.
I play multiple positions, so how do I make that known for tryouts?
On the registration, you may choose one position, multiple positions, or indicate “unknown” if you are unsure of the position to try out for OR are younger and haven’t played a specific position.
Can I “play down” because of the new age definitions?
The new age date cut offs were established by USA Volleyball for the 2021 season to help eliminate the problem of players being forced to play outside of their normal grade level.
The intent of the rule is to keep most players grouped by grade. It is not the intent of the rule to allow or encourage players to play at a lower age level than their normal grade level would permit.
Generally speaking, most athletes register for the age division in which your daughter meets both the grade and birthday requirements as per the registration page.
Can I tryout for a higher age level team?
We encourage all athletes to try out for their proper age division. If coaches believe the athlete can make an impact at a higher age group, they will extend an invite to another age group’s tryout. If you have questions about this, please feel free to reach out to Amy at fcelite.volleyball@gmail.com
When and where are tryouts?
Our tryouts are at The Barn (formerly LakePark Sportszone) at N8770 Lake Park Rd, Menasha. Click here to view the list of tryout dates and times for each age group.
What time should I arrive for tryouts?
You should arrive at the beginning of your designated check-in time. This will allow enough time to go through the check-in line, change into the tryout shirt, and get into the gym before we begin. There will be a line, so don't wait until the last minute to arrive!
What if I come late or leave early for other club tryouts?
We understand there are overlaps with other club tryouts in the area. If you are registered for a tryout that overlaps ours, please reach out to fcelite.volleyball@gmail.com to give us a heads up that you will leave early or arrive late to our tryout. Additionally, on the tryout day, let the check-in staff know if you need to leave early and at what time.
I am going to be gone on tryout day. Can I try out at another time?
Truthfully, it is very difficult to make a team without being there on tryout day. With that said, we have had a few players in the past that have been evaluated via video, etc, and have made a team. If you absolutely cannot attend tryouts, please reach out to Amy at fcelite.volleyball@gmail.com to discuss your evaluation.
With the returning players from last year, is there really room for me?
Every year, approximately 30-40% of the players are brand new to the club. These new players can be found across all age divisions and team types.
Do my parents need to be at the entire tryout?
No, but we do recommend parents are there with 14 and under players to ensure the check-in process goes smoothly and the athlete has all required items. Parents will not be permitted to view the tryouts.
What paperwork is needed at the tryout?
What should I wear to tryouts?
Everyone will receive a t-shirt when they check in at tryouts. In addition to the tryout t-shirt, you should come dressed in whatever athletic apparel you feel most comfortable playing in. This may or may not include spandex shorts, kneepads, crew socks, ankle supports, etc.
How will I be evaluated at tryouts?
During tryouts, we will not be teaching skills. We are evaluating skills, general athletic ability, attitude, as well as the potential to be a good teammate. Near the end of tryouts, we may place athletes on a court together for more match-like situations. Athletes may be grouped together for a variety of reasons, not limited to strictly volleyball skills. These groups are not necessarily an indication of who will receive offers to join the club.
How do I know if I made a team?
When the tryout has concluded, coaches of that age division work together to select the pool of athletes for National teams (or Regional teams, for that tryout). Within 2-4 hrs, SportsEngine offers will be extended, so please watch your inbox. We will also post offers on our website - what tryout numbers have been offered, who has accepted, etc.
When do I have to let FC Elite know I accept the offer?
We recommend discussing possibilities of various offers with your parents before tryouts, so that a decision can be made when the coach calls. If the athlete is undecided, they can put the offer on hold. For summer tryouts, if a response is not received by August 1st, at 7pm, the offer will be rescinded and available to offer another player.
As FC Elite offers are extended and accepted, we will be updating the home page of our website, so that there is transparency to how many positions have been accepted, are on hold, and are yet to be offered. If a team is not marked as full, there is still a possibility of receiving an offer.
Does everyone make a team?
No, unfortunately, everyone does not make a team. For our 10-12 yr olds, there will be intra-club teams created in late November/early December for anyone still wanting to play but didn’t make a team and/or didn’t try out. Everyone will have a spot on a team in this program, called Taste of Elite.
Will you satellite teams offer summer tryouts?
We do not anticipate our satellite programs offering summer tryouts.
The term 15/16 Elite was used in the announcement. Does that mean there is a 15 Elite team and a 16 Elite team?
No, there is one team that is made up of 15 and 16 year olds
How do we indicate we want to be considered for 16 Elite?
At tryouts’ check-in, we’ll ask athletes if they would like to be considered for the Elite team, the Blue team (less travel), or any national team.
If I’m 15 and want to be considered for 16 Elite, do I come to the 15s’ and 16s’ tryout?
Yes, you should register for and attend both tryouts. If you are unsure, you can attend the 15s’ tryout; and we can indicate whether you should come to the 16s’ tryout.
How do we indicate we want to be considered for a Regional+ team?
At regional tryouts’ check-in, we’ll ask athletes if they would like to be considered for the Regional+ team.
How long will the Regional+ season last?
The schedules have not been created yet, but we anticipate the Regional+ teams’ seasons wrapping up in March or early April.
Will Regional+ players be able to tryout for an Extended season team, if they’d like to keep playing, once the Regional+ season is over?
Yes, we expect to have Extended season tryouts after the Regional+ season is over or just before it ends.
Your post about 12 and under indicated that if our daughter played for an FC Elite 10s’ or 11s’ team this current season, then we would receive a retention offer. Does this mean we do not need to sign up for tryouts?
Correct. For those girls that played 10s and 11s for us for the 2024-25 club season, you do not need to try out; and we will send offers electronically via SportsEngine the first week of July. We’ll send an email to parents with more info.
How will you assign teams if my daughter doesn’t have to attend tryouts?
Offers extended are for a spot in that age group, but not for a specific team. Once practices start, we will assign players to teams.
My daughter played 12s this year and will be trying out for 13s. Does she get a retention offer?
No, since full summer tryouts are scheduled for 13s, we are not extending retentions offers.
If all players that played 10s and 11s this year accept their retention offers, does that leave any room for other kids to make a team at the 11s and 12s teams for the upcoming season?
Yes, we are having a summer and fall try out for 12s. We expect to extend up to 10 offers in the summer tryouts and another 10 in the fall tryouts. For upcoming 10-11s, there will be fall tryouts to fill at least one whole team per age group.
When and where will your teams practice?
Practice schedules will be finalized this summer. Teams have two practices a week. Most of our teams practice at our facility, The Barn, at N8770 Lake Park Rd, Menasha.
If a team practices on Sundays but has a Sunday tournament, will they make up that practice on a different day?
No. This past season there were, on average, four practice days impacted for teams that practice on Sunday. We do not typically make up these practices.
When will practices start for teams?
14 and under teams will start practice in November. 15 and up teams will start in December.
How many players will be on a team?
We attempt to have 10-11 players on each team.
Who will your coaches be for each team?
Coaching assignments will be made later this summer.
How many teams per age group will FC Elite offer?
That is to be determined and will be driven largely off of how many try out and how deep the talent pool is. We are expecting to have 3-5 teams at most age groups.
Where can I find your tournament schedule?
Our tournament schedule will be finalized in early fall and posted here.
Does FC Elite move athletes up age divisions?
We typically do not move athletes up age divisions, but there are exceptions made.
What are your dues?
Final dues are TBD.
Will FC Elite offer Extended Season teams again next year?
Yes, we plan on offering Extended Season teams for 13s-16s.
Does FC Elite provide strength and conditioning for all athletes?
We partner with ETS Performance Training for our strength and conditioning. They have multiple locations around the state.
Does FC Elite provide mental training for athletes?
Yes, LOVB, our parent organization, provides Whole Athlete Training to all LOVB clubs which focuses on mindset, nutrition, being a good teammate, etc.
Is positional training available for all athletes?
Yes, positional training will be available to all FC Elite athletes. That schedule will be posted later this summer/fall.
I am a multiple-sport athlete. Can I still play for FC Elite?
Many of our athletes are committed to additional sports and have still found a way to successfully participate on our teams. Playing for FC Elite requires athletes to commit and work hard throughout the entire club season. Missing excessive practices/tournaments is difficult on the team and the athlete’s development as a player. We do understand and support prioritizing highschool sports over club, but do expect that your commitment with FC Elite supersedes your commitment with other club sports.