Registration for the winter session is now on!!! To register simply click on the "League Registration" button on the right-hand side of the page.

Mini-Volleyball...   
 
is a sport that was invented in the town of Taiki which is on Japan's northern most island of Hokkaido. The rules are very similar to volleyball, but the ball and the size of the court differ from the standard game. The sport has achieved significant international popularity as an activity that can be enjoyed by younger volleyball enthusiasts. The key elements of the program are the modifications that have been introduced to make it more conducive to the physical development of junior participants. These modifications include:

• A lighter ball.
• A lower net – 2 meters high.
• A smaller court – approximately 13 meters by 6.5 meters.
• Fewer players on the court to encourage greater participation.

Discover Mini-Volleyball:

The program is broken down into two distinct initiatives: School Programs and Community Participation Programs.

School Programs: school mailings, clinics, and mini-volleyball tournaments.

Community Participation Programs: development camps, tournaments and leagues.

School programs are generally held in partnership with provincial governing bodies and Volleyball Canada. Each province has a number of resources designed to facilitate the intruction of the game by phys ed teachers. These generally consist of elementary school lesson plans that are made available to the phys ed staff by the clinician.

Mini Volleyball in the community - much of the "Discover Mini Volleyball" community programs are based on the successful mini-volleyball program that has been delivered by the WMVA in Winnipeg over the past twelve years.

Benefits of Mini Volleyball:

COURTS:  The use of badminton courts has two main benefits. The first is that it allows for more success for the junior athlete. The second is that it allows for more participation; That is, three badminton courts fit into one volleyball court. That translates into three times as many courts in the same playing surface.   

BALLS:  The use of lightweight balls allows younger athletes with smaller fingers and weaker wrists the opportunity for early success. 

LOWER NET: An extension pole is placed inside the badminton net to take the net height to 6'. This lower net height provides younger athletes with a realistic opportunity to experience the joys of a strong attack against an opponent.

Mini-Volleyball in Winnipeg:

The staff at WMVA have been developing and expanding Mini-Volleyball programs for children 7-12 for twelve years. More than a thousand young athletes can trace their start in the sport to the WMVA Mini-Volleyball program. No other program in the country has more extensive experience.

As a result of this experience the program has evolved into a Development Camp for athletes in the fall and traditional league play in the winter. Teams can then practice once a week with parent-volunteer coaches and league play on week-ends. In this case, that is on Saturday mornings at River Osborne Community Centre, 101 Pembina Hwy. (confusion corner) or Sunday afternoons at Lavallee School, 555 Ste. Anne's Rd.

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS: 

• For girls and boys 6-11 years of age;
• Fair play - players rotate in after each side-out;
• Weeknight team practices held in region athletes live in;
• WMVA instructors available as guest coach upon request;
• All league matches have been held Saturday mornings at River Osborne Community Club, 101 Pembina Hwy. (confusion corner);
• New in 2011: A Sunday afternoon option will be offered at Salisbury Morse Place School, 795 Prince Rupert ave.;
• Development program with five levels of play;
  Two season tournaments - one in December and another in March;
• Players are separated according to ability, not only their age;
• Teams are tiered for the winter session so that athletes play against others of their ability;
• Matches are a race to 25 - win by 2. Making for very exciting match play.