The average family of a youth volleyball player will spend $30,000 a year to compete at an elite level. That’s more than it costs to enroll the same child in college for a year. Parents sacrifice nearly every weekend, holiday, and even company vacation days to get their child to the next level and spend the money hoping it secures an opportunity in sports.
In-Person Try Outs and Showcases Are Expensive
The costs associated with an athlete traveling to try out for a volleyball (or any sport) team historically include:
- Transportation costs
- Lodging costs
- Food and other daily expenses
- Tryout fees
- Cost of any necessary equipment or gear
- Any other miscellaneous costs that may be incurred
Based on the costs associated with travel, lodging, food, tryout fees, and any necessary equipment, the total cost could range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
In the past, tryouts and showcases were the only way for players to be evaluated by coaches and scouts, and it was a necessary expense for parents hoping to help their child secure a college scholarship or national team opportunity. In short, parents chose to spend the money on youth sports in hopes that it would save them university expenses down the road.
Innovation Built To Last
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 presented an opportunity to develop a cost-effective, digital evaluation process for athletes, improving the overall experience.
Volleyball Canada, the national governing body for the sport, partnered with GMTM to create a digital evaluation process for their talent pipeline. Now, Canadian volleyball athletes can access tryouts and showcase benefits via their phones, saving thousands of dollars.
They can find all the necessary activities and submit recordings directly to Volleyball Canada's staff from anywhere in the country.
Transitioning from Transactions to Community and Multiplying Value
The shift to a digital evaluation process has brought multiple benefits for organizations and athletes alike. It has created a community of athletes and coaches who can continue to interact and find value in each other.
Volleyball Canada has enabled their provincial partners, such as the Ontario Volleyball Association, to replicate these benefits throughout the entire talent development system, starting at the youngest ages.
Organizations are able to provide continuous content and resources to educate and support their athletes, keeping them active and improving. Athletes have more visibility into the evaluation process, allowing them to understand when coaches are evaluating them and where they stand. Coaches and scouts are able to use tools that make the evaluation process more efficient and enjoyable for all parties.
We are excited to continue working with Volleyball Canada and other organizations that prioritize the athletes' experience.
At GMTM, we believe the future of sports should prioritize accessibility and the athletes' experience for every team.
