Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and the answers!
1. What teams does the Club have and when do they train?
2. Where are the Club's key locations?
3. How do I join the Club and what are the costs?
4. Does the Club have qualified coaches?
5. How is the Club run?
6. I need some documentation - where can I get it?
7. How does the Club promote itself?
8. How can I contact another Club member?
9. What's the history of Warwick Riga?
10. What's been the Club's best league positions?
11. Does the Club have a role of honour?
12. Does the Club have any international players?
13. I've got a suggestion/complaint - what do I do?
14. Does the Club have Volley 1,2,3 accreditation?
15. Does the Club do sitting volleyball?
1. What teams does the Club have and when do they train?
The Club has two teams playing in National League. The men's teams play in NVL Super 8s and the women's teams in NVL Div 3. In addition to these teams the Club has amens team playing in the Regional league, and a junior section and runs weekly Club night sessions. For full details of training times see the venue's section.
2. Where are the Club's key locations?
The Club uses many locations for training and social events. A full list of all the locations and maps to those locations is available here.
3. How do I join the Club and what are the costs?
If you are interested in joining the Club, pleas contact one of the Committee or the relevant coach, captain or secretary and they will give you more details and invite you along to a training session. The costs of joining the Club vary depending on which team you play for, if you are playing socially or if you are a junior. A full breakdown of the costs is available in the Club's welcome pack. Alternatively please contact a member of the Committee. All Club members are asked to set up a standing order for their fees. Standing order forms are available in the documentation section below (question 6).
4. Does the Club have qualified coaches?
The Club has a range of qualified coaches and is always keen to encourage its members to attend coaching courses so that they can pass on the benefit of their experienve to other members of the Club. Details of the Club's coaches can be found here.
The Club has an elected Committee. The Committee meet regularly to shape the direction of the Club and address issues facing the Club. Details (and mug shots!) of the committee are available here. All of the Club's activities (and those of every member) are governed by the Club's constitution.
6. I need some documentation - where can I get it?
For all of your documentation needs, see the resources section of this Site. Here you will be able to download rotation slips, the welcome pack, standing order mandates, expenses forms, the rules and a whole lot more! Want to submit a match report - the match report form is available for download from here and then send to webmaster@warwickriga.com.
7. How does the Club promote itself?
Through this website (www.rigavolleyball.com) and in the local press. Our key coverage is provided by local press details of which are here. You will find individual press cuttings in the News Archive section - denoted by a C in the right hand column.
8. How can I contact another Club member?
Each team has an email address which will enable you to contact all members of that team. See the relevant team page for details. In addition, you will see that each member of the committee has an email address listed on the Committee page. If you need to contact another member, please email webmaster@rigavolleyball.com and we'll be happy to pass your message on!
9. What's the history of Warwick Riga?
The short version - the Club dates back to 1947 when thousands of Latvian exiles arrived in Britain seeking work. The original club, which was based near Rugby, was called "Auseklis' meaning "morning star". In 1970 the name changed to Riga and in 1973 Riga joined the Midlands division of the NVL Div 3. From there it was no lookin back and by 1978 Riga had been promoted to NVL Division 1! This may have only lasted one season, but from the mid 1990s the team has had a sustained position in Div 1. With three other teams in the NVL the Club is one of the biggest in England. The long version is available here!
10. What's been the Club's best league positions?
Full details of the Club's team's final league positions down the years.
11. Does the Club have a role of honour?
Of course we do!!! You can view this here.
12. Does the Club have any international players?
The Club has had a number of people represent their country across the years. Details of these players is available here.
13. I've got a suggestion/complaint - what do I do?
If you've a comment or suggestion about the website - email the webmaster. If you have a comment or suggestion about any other aspect of the Club, please contact a member of the Committee. We'd love to hear your suggestions or ideas.
14. Does the Club have Volley 1,2,3 accrediation?
The Club was awarded Volley 1 accreditation in March 2008 by the English Volleyball Association (the sports governing body). The accreditation is a mark of a quality club that is equitable, friendly, inclusive, well run and safe. The Volley 1 accolade comes after continued efforts from volunteers involved with the club - its now great news for all our members who will all benefit. Some of the requirements the Club had to meet are:
- the Club is affiliated to the EVA
- the Club has a management committee and details of those on the Committee can be found here. A summary of all the roles is available here.
- The Club has a handbook which includes our pricing policy, mission statement, constitution, equity statement, codes of conduct and the roles of the committee. This is available here. However, to save you reading all that, you can access the individual elements by following the links below...
- The Club’s mission statement is: Riga Volleyball Club aims to provide opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to reach their volleyball potential.
- The Club has clear and transparent pricing policy - which is set out in the Club's welcome pack.
- The Club has a handbook including its mission statement, the constituion, equity statement, codes of conduct for parents/carers, players and volunteers/officials, membership and pricing and the roles and responsibilities of Club committee members. In addition, we have members who have been on the EVA approved "A Club for All" and "Equity in your coaching" workshops.
- The Club regularly communicates with its members and supporters - via this Site! See the site statistics and the Club email addresses - email the webmaster if you have are a member and have not been allocated your Club address yet.
- The Club has an active junior development programme - details of which are in the junior section.
- The Club provides a regular and structured training programme for its members as detailed here.
- The Club has a number of qualified coaches (see the coaches page) which gives a good ratio of players to coach at all sessions.
- The Club also has a number of qualified referees (including John Boughton (Grade III), Tracey Whitley (Grade IV), Andy Collins (Grade IV), Chris Nason (Grade III), Raimonds Liepa (Grade 3), Fanny Gueguen (French qualification), Chris Anderson (Level III NZ qualification) Clare Francis (Grade IV) and Chris Jones (Grade IV) and plenty of members who can help with the scoring.
- The Club gves match opportunities to all members - see our News Archive section.
- All of our training facilities have first aid equipment and emergency procedures and these are available at every training session and match. The accident report form is available to download here. The Club takes the health and safety of its members seriously and always completes a risk assessment on any new training or match venues. Further details can be obtained from any member of the Committee on request.
- Similarly we consider the well being of our juniors to be essential. All members working with our junior section are CRB checked and we have a Chlid Welfare Officer to whom any concerns can be raised. Further details are set out in the Volleyball England Child Protection Policy which the Club has adopted. All parents get an introductory letter and we ask all parents to complete a junior consent form when their child attens junior training.
- Finally, there's an opportunity for any of you, as members, to give feedback on your satisfaction with YOUR club! Simply speak to any member of the Committee or email the webmaster. We'd love to hear from you! It is YOUR Club.
14. Does the Club do sitting volleyball?
Sitting volleyball is an adopted game for people with disabilities. It's been a Paralympic sport since 1980 and is an excellent vehicle for players returning from injury during rehabilitation. For more information about the sport and to find your nearest Sitting Volleyball Club please see the Sitting Volleyball section of the EVA website.