AVP Grassroots Initiatives Builds Momentum
with New Partnerships andAcquisition of Volley America
World’s Premier Beach Volleyball Organization Expands Pipelines to Increase Opportunities for Players from Amateur Level to Professional
The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), the world’s premier beach volleyball organization, announces the expansion of new partnerships and alliances across the nation, including the acquisition of Volleyball America, the largest recreational outdoor volleyball organization in the U.S. In addition to the AVP Pro Tour, the organization continues to build on its grassroots initiatives through the growth of junior and amateur programs as a commitment to the past, present and future of the sport. In 2018 alone, AVP has teamed up with Seaside Beach Volleyball, Texas Volleyball Tour and Dig Deep Volleyball Tour – to name a few.
“From Day 1, we have held our grassroots initiatives in as high regard as the Pro Tour,” said Donald Sun, managing partner, AVP. “Through strategic partnerships, our aim is to join forces with the best in the industry who share our same values and vision as an effort to responsibly contribute to the health, sustainability and longevity of beach volleyball. This will also increase the opportunities for more and more athletes in the sport they love – regardless if they are amateur level or professionals.”
AVP’s Grassroots Initiatives include:
– AVPNext – the official top tier development program of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and serves as the exclusive qualification circuit for elite amateur players to earn AVP qualification points, a national ranking and entry into AVP main draws. AVPNext has offered more than 100 competitions in 40 cities nationwide beginning in January and wrapping up in August.
– Extension of the Gold Series Events to amateur programs – This is the second year that AVP has offered Gold Series events for the Pro Tour, offering a bigger prize purse and more points. This year, AVP has extended these events to AVPNext where as AVP’s highest tier grassroots event, offers a minimum $20,000 prize purse ($10K per gender) pay out through seventh place.
– AVPFirst – AVP’s signature 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded to create a national pipeline for youth volleyball development designed specifically to create access for all children and their families, regardless of the neighborhood in which they reside or their economic status. Throughout the 2018 season, AVPFirst has hosted free clinics for the youth with AVP pros and AVPFirst coaches. They have also invited top local teams in an invitational match play events that concluded with AVPFirst National Championships in Hermosa Beach, which showcased 270 teams across the US and Puerto Rico, and international representation from Canada, Mexico and Australia.
– AVPAcademy – a year-round program that strives to develop the most complete athlete for their desired level of performance in the sport by integrating the components of beach volleyball training and education, Sports Psychology, Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning. The juniors programs (ages 8-18) focus on preparing athletes for high school and collegiate play, as well as tournament play.
AVP has collaborated with a multitude of organizations including but not limited to:
Seaside Volleyball Tournament (Seaside, Ore.) – The most prestigious, largest recreational beach volleyball tournament celebrated its 37th year last month. The event featured 1,640 teams on 173 courts and 4,300 scheduled matches. Their top girls divisions (AA divisions) in each age bracket was recognized as “AVPFirst divisions” and both Men’s and Women’s Open as “AVPNext Divisions”.
Chicago Sport and Social Club – Hosting in collaboration with the AVP during the AVP Chicago Open Championship over Labor Day Weekend at North Avenue Beach. The tournament celebrates amateur 4’s and 6’s beach volleyball in a one-day tournament Saturday, Sept. 1 and will attract teams from social sports organizations from all over North America and the Chicago area. Included throughout the weekend will be a pre-tournament party on Friday and a post-tournament party on Saturday, and access to the AVP Gold Series Championship on Sunday at Oak St. Beach.
Other organizations that the AVP has teamed up with in 2018 include the VolleyOC, Texas Volleyball Tour (Dallas, Texas), Dig the Beach Tour (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and more.
Additionally, AVP has acquired Volley America, the largest grassroots outdoor volleyball organization in the US.. Effective immediately, Volley America will change its name to AVP America to reflect its new home under the AVP umbrella. Founded in 2011 by Wayne Gant and Rich Heiles, the vision of Volley America is to enhance the growth of outdoor volleyball (beach & grass) by providing unparalleled benefits to both, players and organizations. From the new promoter just starting out, to the seasoned veterans hosting tournaments or leagues, Volley America strives to enhance each organization and has embraced the voice of the weekend warrior, the recreational league player, junior players to open players, both on the grass and on the sand. To date, Volley America encompasses 110 participating organizations, more than 22,000 players in 2017 and has hosted over 700 events in 2018.