May represents the final stretch of the season for clubs competing at the AAU and USAV National Volleyball Championships. While athletes and coaches are focused on finishing strong, club directors are already shifting their attention toward what comes next.
The most successful clubs use this time not only to close out the current season, but to begin intentionally building the next one. Here are a few ways to get started.
1. Develop a Short- and Long-Term Strategic Plan
Across the country, junior volleyball clubs are recognizing a critical reality: in today’s increasingly competitive landscape, success is defined not just by on-court performance, but by the overall experience provided to athletes and families.
Clubs are no longer only competing locally—they are competing on experience, structure, and organizational clarity.
According to the JVA Club Financial Survey, over 40% of clubs host tournaments, and 33% own or lease their own facilities. These trends reflect a broader shift toward more complex, business-oriented club models.
As clubs continue to grow in size and operational sophistication, having a clear, well-defined strategic plan becomes essential. A strong plan should include both short-term execution goals and a long-term vision that guides decision-making across seasons.
Juan Gonzalez, Co-Founder of the Gazelles Growth Institute, addressed this topic in the JVA webinar “Strategic Planning: How to Formulate and Execute a Plan that will Drive Sustainable Growth and Revenue for Your Club.” In the session, he outlined a framework for building and executing a strategic plan designed to support sustainable organizational growth.
The full webinar is available in the JVA Educational Resources (member login required), along with additional clips and supporting materials.
There is an old saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, you won’t get there.”
2. Review Your Plan and Be Ready to Change It
Once a business strategy is developed, it should not be treated as static. It must be revisited after every season—and adjusted when necessary.
Comfort does not coexist with growth. As the competitive landscape shifts and your local volleyball community evolves, your club must be willing to re-evaluate assumptions, priorities, and direction.
A plan is only valuable if it remains relevant. The strongest clubs are not the ones that stick rigidly to their original strategy, but the ones that regularly assess performance, learn from outcomes, and make intentional adjustments to stay aligned with long-term goals.
3. Attract and Retain Your Coaching Staff
Many club athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level—DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, junior college, or collegiate club. As clubs mature, it is common for former players to return to the game as coaches. Some are recent graduates, others are established in their careers, and some reconnect with the sport when their children begin playing.
One of the key advantages of a career in club volleyball compared to collegiate coaching is stability. Club coaching often allows individuals to remain rooted in one community, build long-term relationships, and grow within an organization without the frequent relocations that are common at the college level.
As you plan for the future of your club, intentionally look for former athletes who understand your culture, have experienced your program firsthand, and carry a strong connection to your club’s values. Many of your future leaders—whether in coaching, operations, administration, or club leadership—may already be within your network or returning through your alumni pipeline.
Building a strong coaching staff is not only about recruitment, but about recognizing potential early and developing it over time. Once those individuals are part of your organization, the next critical step is retention—creating an environment where coaches feel supported, valued, and motivated to grow within the club.
View more education for junior volleyball Club Directors.
Revised 7.6.2026
