May 15, 2020 Update

We are all closely following the evolution of the COVID-19 coronavirus, and based on the most recent updates, the Junior Volleyball Association is recommending that all JVA member clubs and tournament directors follow the policies in place by your State Department of Public Health and local government. As some state are lifting the restrictions on businesses, it is important for clubs to have a well constructed plan to restart, operate safely to protect your people and the community at large, and act appropriately should COVID-19 become present in our club environment. View more COVID-19 club resources here.

This is a time to join together, support one another, and share resources to keep our clubs engaged and in a position to financially recover, and responsibly open your doors when it is safe and permissible to do so.

Insurance:

Many clubs have implemented virtual training with their teams during the shutdown due to COVID-19. We would like JVA clubs with program insurance to know that their club and teams will be able to utilize “virtual” training as part of the JVA Insurance program. The coverage remains the same. If you have questions about insurance contact Lisa Wielebnicki at lisa.wielebnicki@jvavolleyball.org.

If you have purchased JVA Event insurance for any future events and need to cancel the event, please email lisa.wielebnicki@jvavolleyball.org. We are able to cancel the insurance request and fully refund as long as we have a full two business days notice. Clubs need to follow the directives and recommendations of their local health organizations and governing agencies related to gatherings and restrictions.

JVA Events:

Members of the Junior Volleyball Community,

We hope that during these extremely difficult and strenuous times, you, your loved ones, and close volleyball community are safe and healthy. As many of you know, yesterday, the JVA made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 JVA World Challenge. We were hopeful to be in a position by this time to host the JVA World Challenge.

Our reason to cancel our remaining three events was based on the current guidelines, both nationally and locally in Long Beach, Columbus and Louisville. In discussions with our staff, our board and member clubs, we feel this decision is best for the safety of all club staff, athletes, their families and the communities in those respective cities.

Aside from being a financial burden on our organization, the cancellation of the JVA West Coast Cup, SummerFest and now World Challenge, is emotionally devastating for our staff. The JVA World Challenge is a year-long planning process. We put our heart and soul into trying to make each of our events an experience for the teams.

We will truly miss: team check-in where we get to see so many familiar faces and meet many new ones; when we hit “play” on the warm-up music, open the doors and the teams flood in; the late nights waiting for the last tie breaker set to finish; the proud parents watching the awards presentation; and our quality time as a staff before, during and after the final score sheet gets turned in.

We miss all of you.

We know so many were looking forward to the JVA World Challenge, so we are excited to announce plans to host a 2020 Virtual JVA World Challenge on June 12-13 that will include team challenges, contests, prizes, and a great way to unite clubs and teams around the world in a safe and fun way.

Team registration will open on Monday along with event details, so keep an eye on your inbox! All teams and clubs are invited to participate and join us in the Virtual World Challenge!

2021 JVA Hosted event dates are posted on the JVA website and AES. We are truly thankful for your support and understanding during these times. We know that better days are ahead, and through continued perseverance we will come out stronger and further united in our sport.

We hope you will ALL join us on June 12-13 in the VIRTUAL JVA WORLD CHALLENGE!

Warmest regards,

Jenny Hahn
JVA Executive Director

Recommendations

To help protect your staff, your members and their families, we recommend the following protections recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Ask staff, players and spectators to stay home when sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • If you are sick: You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face mask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
    If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. To disinfect: Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.
  • Clean hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty. It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • Provide hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, tissues, wastebaskets, etc. at your facility.
  • Frequently disinfect surfaces like volleyballs, training equipment, door handles, bathrooms, and dining areas between uses.
  • Avoid having your athletes high five or shake hands if you are holding practice.

When traveling or in public spaces:

  • Carry hand sanitizer with you at all times.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched items (cell phones, airplane seating area -tray table, screens, windows, arm rests, air vents, grocery carts, etc.)

Event Planners:

  • Whenever possible, increase space between people at events and practices (the coronavirus travels up to 6 feet through coughs and sneezes!)
  • Reduce crowding among players, spectators, and staff by staggering play times and spreading out seating.
  • Consider having teams forego shaking hands before and after a match, and replace with a fist or elbow bump.
  • Scorers should bring their own pens and pencils.
  • Athletes and coaches acting as an R1 or R2 should clean their hands before popping their whistle (which also needs cleaning) into their mouth.
  • Place extra hand sanitizer stations, and schedule extra cleanings of the facility and equipment.

Resources:

COVID-19 Club Resources
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control
USAV created a special section on their website that will be posting updates and information.