Growing the Game
The AZ Region is working in a creative way to expand boys beach volleyball in Arizona high schools.
It's fun. It's positive. It's a great way to get in and stay in shape. And we're hoping it becomes more popular in Arizona high schools.
Check out how the Arizona Region of USA Volleyball is growing the game of boys beach volleyball....
Arizona Region of USA Volleybal encouraging high schools to grow the game of boys beach volleyball
Volleyball isn't just a "girls' sport." In fact, "The push to make boys and men’s volleyball more widespread started only recently. Interest is growing, and now boys/men’s volleyball is among the fastest growing sports in the U.S.," states VolleyballMag.com.
The Arizona Region of USA Volleyball has a phenomenal boys indoor program and strong athletes. Check out our Arizona Region High Performance program results here.
Now it's time to grow boys beach volleyball! And the best way to do that is to work with local high schools.
This week, Arizona Region of USA Volleyball Commissioner Harold Cranswick met with and addressed Arizona's high school athletic directors at the AIA offices.
Commissioner Cranswick urged the AD's to consider working toward adding boys high school beach volleyball as a sanctioned sport.
As it stands, roughly 450,000 girls compete in high school volleyball. It's estimated less than 70,000 boys have options to play in their high schools. Organizations like USA Volleyball and First Point Volleyball are dedicated to get every state on board with boys indoor volleyball. And we're thrilled to be on our way to growing beach volleyball, too!
"While the timeline may not be until the fall of 2024, interest is there. Let your Athletic Directors know your interest. Let's work together as a Region and make this happen! Thank you Harold for all you do for the Arizona Region," notes Eric Hodgson, AZ Region Beach Director.
Arizona Region of USA Volleyball Commissioner Harold Cranswick encourages AIA athletic directors to incorporate boys beach volleyball. December 2022
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AZ REGION AND AIA?
CLUB/AMATEUR VOLLEYBALL
The Arizona Region of USA Volleyball - that's us - provide "club" volleyball opportunities. The AZ Region promotes, governs, oversees, plans and coordinates amateur indoor and outdoor volleyball in the Arizona Region, in order to provide a variety of opportunities for all interested parties to participate in a safe, positive and appropriately competitive environment.
For boys, girls, and adults. We coordinate beach and indoor volleyball opportunities.
"Club" means amateur athletes compete outside of their high school sports in local competition and sometimes travel games.
The AZ Region is one of more than 40 regions making up USA Volleyball.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
AIA stands for Arizona Interscholastic Association. The AIA is a voluntary association of public and private high schools committed to the inclusion of equitable interscholastic opportunities for both boys and girls in all Arizona high schools.
OVERLAP IN COMPETITIVE SEASONS
The Arizona Region of USA Volleyball schedules its youth activities outside of the high school sports schedules so athletes can focus on their high school participation.
