Updated: August 2025
In selecting athletes as members of the Varsity Blues women's volleyball team, the coaching staff will consider the information listed below through observational and written evaluations, historical performances.
The goal of the selection process is to select a team that is committed to learning and competing with a consistent and persistent focus of improvement in order to succeed at the national level. This requires a consistent and persistent commitment to individual and team development, to pursuing excellence – optimizing all things in one’s control to give oneself the best chance to succeed, to pursuing performance excellence – maintaining technical excellence at speed under pressure and when fatigued (Wayne Goldsmith
https://wgcoaching.com/podcast/seven-skills-steps ) and a constant commitment to individual and team goals.
The sport of volleyball is not a measured or timed event. In the selection of athletes who will compete together as a team, it is difficult to make selection decisions based solely upon objective measurements that can be used to compare athletes. Decisions are based on many interconnected factors - technical/tactical, psychological/mental, physical and social components (adapted from
FA Four Corner Long Term Development Model) and these interconnected factors are taken into consideration during the selection process and includes the following:
Selection Criteria for Athlete Evaluation
1. Technical, Tactical, and Physical factors include but are not limited to:
- Team Needs & Positional Suitability - Evaluation considers both immediate and long-term program needs, including positional fit and the ability to fulfill current and future roles within the team structure.
- Physical Attributes & Athletic Development - Assessment includes height, vertical jump, agility, speed, strength, and other relevant physical metrics. Emphasis is placed on demonstrated improvement and positive trends in physical assessments over time.
- Performance Capacity & Training Sustainability - Athletes must show the ability to train consistently, improve technical and tactical skills, and perform at a level required for national-level competition. Progress in training capacity through physical development is also considered.
- Technical Skill Proficiency - Evaluation of core volleyball skills—passing, digging, setting, attacking, and blocking—with a focus on consistency, efficiency and effectiveness. Observable improvement and skill refinement over time are key indicators.
- Versatility & Adaptability - Ability to perform in multiple roles or positions and to integrate effectively with different teammates. A balanced skill set and flexibility are valued.
- Developmental Potential - Demonstrates capacity for growth, even if current skills are not fully developed. Shows a willingness to try new approaches and apply feedback effectively to improve performance.
2. Mindset, Personal Excellence and Growth factors include but are not limited to:
- Commitment to Excellence - Displays a strong drive to optimize all controllable factors for improvement. Engages fully in training, utilizes available resources, and consistently upholds high-performance standards year-round.
- Unconditional Effort - Maintains focused, intentional effort regardless of external conditions, environment or activity.
- Self-Care & Life Balance - Makes personal choices that align with academic and athletic goals. Prioritizes well-being and actively seeks support when needed.
- Maturity & Accountability - Demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Takes responsibility for actions, shows initiative, and consistently respects teammates, staff and the team environment.
- Program Commitment - Actively supports the team’s vision and values. Engages in all aspects of high-performance development—technical, physical, mental, emotional, and social—and follows through on commitments.
3. Teamwork and Interpersonal factors include but are not limited to:
- Shared Purpose & Team Culture - Contributes positively to the team environment, prioritizes team activities, and consistently demonstrates respect and punctuality.
- Team-Oriented Mindset - Willing to embrace roles that benefit the team, contribute positively within those roles, and act as a champion for teammates and the program.
- Relationship Building - Invests in building strong, collaborative relationships with teammates and staff to support the team’s mission and goals.
- Effective Communication - Communicates clearly, respectfully, and constructively with all team members. Demonstrates a willingness to resolve conflicts and represents the program positively in all settings, including social media.
- Intangible Contributions - Consideration is given to other qualities that positively influence team dynamics, cohesion, and overall performance.
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Effective assessment is a continuous, on-going process; a way of gauging learning over time” and “Evaluation is more focused on making a judgement concerning the quality of a performance against a set of standards” (TrueSport, n.d., p.5)
ASSESSMENT GRID
5 = EXCEPTIONAL: Consistently meets or exceeds national/international standards. Demonstrates dominant and lasting impact on and off the court. Shows mastery in learning, development and performance.
4 = EXCELLENT: Meets high national/provincial standards. Capable of performing at the national level. Shows strong learning and development with consistent performance.
3 = STRONG: Meets provincial standards with some inconsistencies. Shows potential to perform at the national level but lacks consistency in learning or commitment to development.
2 = DEVELOPING: Below average in learning and performance. Shows limited potential with noticeable deficiencies in multiple areas.
1 = BELOW STANDARD: Does not yet meet minimum standards. Significant gaps in learning, development and performance. Requires substantial improvement across most areas.
NOTE: athletes, including past and present, who are selected will be assessed on an on-going basis. Based on the assessment they will receive clarification &/or further instruction about future team participation during or at the end of each season.
It is the belief of the Varsity Blues women's volleyball staff that considering the mix of Selection Criteria listed above will result in the selection of the optimal mix of athletes who will work together as an effective team and contribute to team success. These criteria include subjective as well as objective measures and technical and character criteria in assessment and evaluation of performance & contribution. Although all criteria will be considered not all criteria are weighted the same when assessing what is needed to achieve the goals of the programs. The coaching staff is responsible for making all athlete selections.
*Adapted from: True Sport Player Selection Process for Team Sports https://truesportpur.ca/player-selection-process-team-sports
SELECTION PROCESS AND TIMELINES
Phase 1 – Returning Player Evaluations – End of season
Assessment is an on-going process for all student-athletes who are members of the women’s volleyball team in order to gauge learning over time. Selection to the team one year does not guarantee selection to the team the next year.
- Once selected to the team, athletes continuously demonstrate their learnings and capabilities providing data for coaches to regularly assess athletes. At the completion of each season there may be evidence that supports confirming the placement of an athlete on the team the next season or providing no guarantee of a placement on the team in the next season. The assessments and decisions moving forward are discussed with each athlete at the end of each season.
Phase 2 – Open Try-out –Date: Tues. September 2, 2025
2025-26 Selections / Evaluations Timelines:
- Selections occur during or the Open Try-out on September 2 and may, at the discretion of the coach, continue until September 4, 2025.
- Decisions may be communicated in-person or via email.
- Final 2025-26 Roster/Team selections will be determined by September 4, 2025.
