Northern Lights Youth Development Team

 

The Northern Lights Youth Development Team (YDT) will be in its 6th season for 2023-2024.  The YDT is for players who would ordinarily be trying out for the 11’s age level or younger (generally ages 9 – 11), but new to elite club volleyball.  The program will focus on learning the basic skills and fundamentals of volleyball.

Tryout

  • YDT tryouts will take place on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 9:00am during the 10’s – 14’s tryout.
  • ALL players who are interested in YDT must do the following:
    • Register for tryouts in your correct age division (10’s or 11’s) and pay the $40 tryout fee on SignUpToPlayTo find your correct age division, click here.
    • Attend the tryout with your age division, going through the same process as all athletes (registration, physical testing, etc.)
    • When you are directed to the 10’s-11’s court for tryout, let the coaches know you are ONLY interested in YDT.
    • All players who do not make a 10’s or 11’s team will automatically be considered for YDT.
  • Tryouts include a Northern Lights T-shirt, evaluation, and possible team placement.
  • We will accept as many YDT players as possible.

To access more information please visit the Tryout Registration webpage.

Cost

The season cost for YDT can be found here.  A non-refundable down payment of $500 is due at tryouts on October 29. The remaining balance will be equally divided and paid over the next 6 months.

Uniforms and Gear

To keep costs at a minimum, there is a small gear package for the YDT teams. You will do a simple sizing post tryouts for 2 practice shirts, 1 competition shirt, 1 pair of socks, and 1 spandex.  You will also receive a backpack.  Additional (optional) gear will be available for purchase at tryouts.

Practice

Northern Lights YDT teams will practice twice per week.  Below you will find the estimated practice schedule:

  • November & December:  Tuesday & Thursday 4:30 – 6:00 PM
  • January through May:  Tuesday 4:30 – 6:00 PM and Friday 4:30 – 6:00 PM or 7:30 – 9:00 PM

The exact practice schedules will be posted on the Northern Lights website on the Schedules page when they are finalized.

Events

All Youth Development Teams will participate in several events over the course of the season.

YDT competes in the Youth Winter League (at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse).  There are also times when a YDT team may be asked to play in a larger or more advanced event such as Power League or 12’s Cup.

Once available, full YDT schedules (with exact dates) will be available on the Schedules page.  These schedules are the master schedules for the year.