Twin Cities Elite Volleyball is a small, nonprofit volleyball club that offers a wide range of programming to meet athletes at every stage of their journey, from developmental leagues designed for players who are new to the sport, to competitive travel teams. Two years ago, the club’s leadership saw a growing need to support players in areas such as mental health, nutrition, recovery, and overall lifestyle balance. They wanted to create a program that equips athletes not only with the physical tools to succeed, but also the knowledge and habits that will carry them into adulthood as healthy, well-rounded individuals. In the 2023–24 season, they applied funds from the JVA Grant Program to launch a three-part Holistic Health and Wellness series.
The Holistic Health and Wellness series focused on key areas of athlete wellness:
- Nutrition & Performance – helping athletes understand how food fuels their bodies and supports peak performance.
- Mental Health & Stress Management – giving players tools to cope with stress, anxiety, and the pressures that come with being both students and athletes.
- Injury Prevention & Recovery – educating athletes on proper warm-up techniques, strength training, and recovery strategies to reduce injuries and keep them healthy throughout the season.
The experience was designed to be directly applicable to the student-athletes’ lives. Each session gave players the chance to learn concepts and then immediately put them into practice. For example, during the nutrition session, athletes not only learned about fueling their bodies but also worked through real-life meal and snack planning. In the mental health and stress management workshop, players practiced breathing techniques, mindfulness exercises, and strategies to manage pre-game nerves and everyday stress. The athletes felt comfortable asking questions, sharing their own experiences, and walking away with practical tools they could apply immediately, whether that meant making better food choices, using breathing techniques before a big match, or adding recovery stretches into their daily routine.
“Overall, the experience gave players a sense of ownership over their own health and well-being, reinforcing the idea that taking care of their bodies and minds is just as important as skill development on the court,” said Coaching Director Alysia Horen. “This holistic approach ensures that athletes are not only improving their game, but also building healthy habits that will benefit them long after their playing careers.”
Role of the Parents
While most of the sessions were designed specifically for athletes, TCE also held a dedicated nutrition session just for parents because family support is a key factor in an athlete’s overall success. Parents received the same information as their athletes while also learning practical ways to better support healthy eating habits at home. They left the session with a clearer understanding of how nutrition impacts performance and recovery, as well as strategies for meal planning, grocery shopping, and snack preparation that align with what their athletes are being taught.
“By engaging parents directly, we ensured that the lessons athletes learned in the gym could be reinforced in their daily routines. The dedicated parent-focused session strengthened the program overall by creating alignment between athletes and families, and many parents shared that it gave them valuable tools to support their athletes both on and off the court.” added Alysia.
Role of the Coaches
Coaches played a vital role in the Holistic Health and Wellness series by helping bridge the gap between what athletes learned in the sessions and how those lessons were applied in the gym. While the workshops were led by subject-matter experts, the coaches were actively involved in reinforcing key takeaways during practices, games, and team discussions.
Following the mental health workshop, coaches were more intentional about creating a supportive team culture, checking in with players, and modeling positive coping strategies. They also encouraged athletes to make healthy nutrition choices by reminding them of the concepts introduced in both the player and parent sessions. Beyond that, coaches used the series as an opportunity to strengthen team bonding, building in activities and conversations that helped athletes connect with each other, support one another, and create a positive team environment.
“By weaving the Health and Wellness content into their coaching, our coaches ensured that these lessons weren’t a one-time event, but part of the ongoing TCE experience,” shared Alysia. “Coaches essentially became the daily accountability partners who helped athletes practice what they learned, while also fostering stronger team relationships that carried over into competition.”
Positive Outcomes
A key success was the alignment between athletes, parents, and coaches. By including parents in a dedicated nutrition session and engaging coaches to reinforce lessons in practice, TCE created a shared language and consistent support system around each athlete. This made it easier for athletes to build healthy habits and feel supported in all areas of their lives.
In addition, the club saw positive impacts on team culture and bonding. The series opened up meaningful conversations about mental health, personal challenges, and self-care, which helped athletes connect with one another on a deeper level and strengthened the sense of community within the teams.
“Overall, the biggest success was that the program went beyond education—it fostered lasting changes in habits, mindsets, and relationships. Athletes not only became more confident in their ability to care for their bodies and minds but also carried those lessons into how they approach the game and support each other as teammates,” said Alysia.
From that pilot series, TCE Volleyball learned that the athletes and families were eager for more information and practical takeaways they could use every day. For the 2024–25 season, the club expanded and refined the program. They partnered with health and wellness professionals to provide expert guidance, and plan to make the workshops more interactive, incorporating hands-on activities and discussions to ensure student-athletes remain engaged and actively involved throughout each session.
“Our goal is to make the Health and Wellness series an integral part of the TCE experience, something that empowers our athletes to not only perform better on the court, but also to thrive in their daily lives. As a JVA member, we have benefited from being part of a broader community of volleyball clubs that share best practices, educational resources, and networking opportunities. In fact, a couple of local clubs have reached out to let us know they are impressed with what we are offering and are even sharing some of our ideas with their own athletes.”
Through TCE’s Health and Wellness programming, the club’s leaders believe it is vital to show athletes that it is okay to talk about the challenges they are facing, seek support, and ask for help.
“Being a part of JVA has strengthened our programming, enhanced our athlete development, and reinforced our commitment to providing a high-quality, supportive environment for all players.”
Twin Cities Elite Volleyball (Oakdale, MN) is a member of the Junior Volleyball Association, the only national association that’s 100% focused on junior volleyball and the needs of the club community. Our mission is simple: improve the junior volleyball experience. Founded in 2006 by club directors and for club directors, JVA supports over 1,600 member clubs with resources, events, education, and advocacy that help the sport grow in the right direction. With a focus on innovation and inclusivity, JVA empowers clubs to lead with purpose on and off the court. JVA provides education for coaches, directors, and athletes; promotes responsible athlete development; and champions opportunities for underserved communities to access the sport. Learn more at www.jvavolleyball.org and follow @jvavolleyball on Instagram.
Learn more about the JVA Grant Program
