Factors for change
The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the decision. Parents were eager to reengage their athletes in structured activities, and registration for local, non-elite teams increased substantially.
The local travel program requires less practice time and reduced travel compared to the elite travel program. The format also supports multi-sport athletes, as the program is divided into two seasons. The first season runs from November through February, and the second runs from March through May.
Each session costs $1,200. Teams typically compete in five tournaments per session, participating in all but one or two K2-hosted events.
The rising cost of elite travel teams has also influenced the shift, with tuition reaching $5,000 per athlete. At a $1,200 price point, the local travel program is accessible to significantly more families than the elite travel program.
The Knoxville area is a smaller market, limiting the overall depth of athletes, particularly in the older age groups where size becomes a significant factor. Approximately 95 percent of athletes who do not earn a spot on an elite team choose to remain with the club and compete on a local travel team.
The pool of Coaches capable of leading at an elite level is also limited within K2’s market. By reducing the number of elite teams, the club ensures a high-level coaching experience for every elite travel team rather than assigning inexperienced Coaches to elite rosters.
Local travel teams benefit from structured oversight and skill development led by elite Coaches, while team Coaches manage competition at tournaments. Brent Carter, Director of Operations and 13s Elite Coach, leads the local travel program. Team Coaches include high school and junior high Coaches, former K2 athletes, current elite athletes, and experienced volleyball instructors committed to teaching the game. Several Coaches lead multiple teams, and select elite Coaches assist with training local athletes.
Positive Impacts of the Change
After starting a boys’ team in 2012, K2 decided to expand to multiple teams in 2021. By 2022 there were 65 boys that competed on five teams in 12U-18U. K2 will now be focusing on modeling its boys program after the girls’ program from a training and development standpoint. It’s a longer term goal of introduction of volleyball through college placement. The boys’ program has continued to grow organically but the club is now actively trying to get the high schools to add boys’ volleyball in the Knoxville area. Next season, the club anticipates the program to grow even more, and will be making significant changes to adapt to the demand.
Next year K2 will be moving into a new facility that is currently under construction, which should allow the club to expand its tiny tots and middle school programs as well. From a business standpoint, elite travel teams do not bring revenue for most volleyball clubs. The cost of travel, tournaments, coaches, equipment, uniforms, etc. is high. The local teams and other in-house programs are typically much higher revenue generators, and for K2 Volleyball, it’s where the majority of their athletes should be from an athletic/volleyball skills standpoint.
For K2, the decision ultimately aligned with the needs of its customer base and the realities of its market. Club leadership recognized that many families either did not want or could not commit to the demands of an elite travel program, yet were seeking a competitive experience beyond a recreational league.
By structuring a strong local travel program, K2 positioned itself to consistently exceed expectations. Delivering a high-quality, well-organized experience at an accessible price point drove satisfaction and sustained growth within the program.
