VolleyBees/VolleyStars
VolleyBees and VolleyStars are offered periodically throughout the year, generally during the same times as our Aspire, Regional and National Teams. Each program runs for about 8 weeks and meets 1-2 times per week.
VolleyBees (Grades 1-5): Downstate's VolleyBees program is designed to introduce the game of volleyball to young athletes ages 4 to 10. The primary focus of VolleyBees is to have fun, while participating in a challenging and active environment. These young athletes will be learning the game of volleyball while mastering body mechanics and motor control. Many of our current players started in the this program!
VolleyStars (Grades 6-8): Downstate's VolleyStars program is designed to introduce the game of volleyball to young athletes ages 10 to 14. The primary focus of VolleyStars is to have fun, while participating in a challenging and active environment. These young athletes will be learning the game of volleyball while mastering body mechanics and motor control. Many of our current players started in the this program!
Youth Rec League
Downstate's Youth Rec Leagues are generally offered twice a year, in the Fall and again in the Spring. Each league runs for about 10 weeks.
Rookies (Grade K-2) & (3-4): Our Rookies division is designed to introduce the game of volleyball to young athletes ages 4 to 10. Coaches are volunteers. The primary focus of the Rookies division is to have fun, while participating in a challenging and active environment. These young athletes will be learning the game of volleyball while mastering body mechanics and motor control. This group will meet for 1 hour per week. The time will be spent as an instructional clinic and eventually as the season progresses modified games.
Minors (Grade 5-6): Our Minors division is designed to introduce the game of volleyball to later elementary and early middle school age children. Coaches are volunteers. The primary focus is to have fun, while participating in a challenging and active environment. Each team will practice 1 hour per week and also compete in games 1 day per week.
Majors (Grade 7-8): Our Majors division program is designed to introduce the game of volleyball to middle school age children. Coaches are volunteers. The primary focus is to have fun, while participating in a challenging and active environment. Each team will practice 1 hour per week and also compete in games 1 day per week.
Aspire Teams
Downstate's Aspire program begins with team tryouts, which are generally held in late August for high school athletes and in September or October for 8th grade and younger. Team practices begin right after Thanksgiving and the season runs through the end of April.
The Aspire program is designed for those athletes that enjoy the training, and camaraderie of team sports. These are often athletes that are seeking to make a high school team or want to improve their skills to be more of an impact player on their team. Aspire teams practice twice a week for 1.5 hours each and compete in about 5 single day "club" level tournaments (the exact number of tournaments varies by age and availability). While players are still expected at practices and tournaments, it's a more relaxed environment than our higher level Regional and National teams. We run Aspire teams from multiple locations, including the Downstate Athletic Center in Peekskill, Somers Sports & Fitness Center, in Somers, Gold's Gym in Poughkeepsie, and Westrock Indoor Sports in Nanuet.
Regional Teams
Downstate's Regional Team program begins with team tryouts, which are generally held in late August for high school athletes and in September or October for 8th grade and younger. Team practices begin right after Thanksgiving and the season runs thru the end of April, sometimes into early May.
The Regional program is designed for those players wanting to play at a high level but with a limited and localized travel schedule. These teams practice 2 nights a week for 2 hours each session (7th grade and under practice 1.5 hours each session). Regional teams will generally play in 5 local, 1-day tournaments depending on schedule and tournament availability, and 2 multi-day events that will require overnight [drivable] travel. These programs are offered from multiple locations, including Peekskill, Nanuet, and Poughkeepsie.
National Teams
Downstate's National Team program begins with team tryouts, which are generally held in late August for high school athletes and in September or October for 8th grade and younger. Team practices begin right after Thankgiving and the season runs through the end of May (mid-June for some teams) or until the completion of a final national championship event.
The National Team program is designed for those athletes that have a desire to play at the collegiate level; and, for those that want the highest possible level of training and competition! Our National team head coaches (generally 2 coaches per team) are some of the best coaches in the northeast, and most of them are current and former college coaches, very successful high school coaches, or have played and coached the game at the highest levels. Our National teams generally practice 3 times per week and play in about 9-12 tournaments during the season (of which 5-6 are generally multi-day events with overnight travel involved). These teams are often among the best teams in the area across all age groups. National teams require a high level of dedication and commitment to be the best of the best! One of the goals of our National teams program is to play in a National Championship event at the end of the season. Most athletes that play in our National Team program, throughout their club careers, end up getting offers to play at the collegiate level.