Spring Fling XIV Tournament Information

Gotham Volleyball Presents

SPRING FLING XIV

May 18-19, 2024

Eric Eichenholtz and Barbara Waginska, Spring Fling XIV Tournament Co-Directors

Tournament Information

Gotham Volleyball is proud to present “Spring Fling XIV,” a NAGVA-style tournament run by Gotham Volleyball for beginner/advanced beginner players in Gotham Divisions 8-11 and PowerPlay, as well most Division 7 players (see eligibility rules below) as those intermediate players at that level who are looking to transition toward NAGVA tournament competition.  It will be a two day tournament, with the first day being round robin play and the second day being a double elimination tournament. The entry cost is $415 per team of up to 7 players, with $60 each additional player.

Eligibility (Please review the options for 2024!!!)

Spring Fling XIV will have two Divisions of play:

A smaller division, known as The Intermediate Division is designed for those Intermediate players who wish to transition toward higher levels of play, including NAGVA completion.  Our main division, known as the “Green” Division is designed for those beginner and advanced beginner players who want to experience tournament play.

In order to be eligible to play in Spring Fling XIV, the player’s most recent Gotham Division must be Division 8-11 and Power C-F.  Most Division 7 players are also eligible with important exceptions and exclusions noted below.  All participants in our PowerPlay program as well as level-appropriate participants in Power W2 and W3 are also eligible.

However, in the “Intermediate” Division, each team may have up to two “transitional” players who currently play in Divisions 4-6, otherwise ineligible Division 7 players, or Power B.

Non-Gotham players (players who have not participated in League or Power within the past 3 seasons) first must be evaluated by designated member of the Tournaments and Open Play Leadership Group in a Friendship Tournament or open play.  Only non-Gotham members playing at the skill level of a variety of our beginner/advanced beginner Divisions are eligible to play.  In the “Intermediate” Division, non-Gotham players who have active NAGVA B ratings may play as one of the team’s transitional players.

Registration

Registration for Spring Fling XIV will open on Monday April 15 using LeagueApps.

Information for Current Teams

  • Captain’s Packet
  • Spring Fling XIV Saturday Pool Play Schedule
  • Spring Fling XIV Sunday Intermediate Division Schedule
  • Spring Fling XIV Sunday Green Division Schedule
  • Tournament Seeds after Pool Play
  • Intermediate Tournament Bracket LIVE update (available on tournament day)
  • Green Tournament Bracket LIVE update (available on tournament day)

Events

May 18

  • Pool play will be held on May 18.
  • Seeding announcement 6 PM @ Location TBD

May 19

  • Double elimination tournament play will be held on May 19.
  • MVP, All Star, Rookie of the Year and Team Awards will be given out directly after tournament play (approx 5:45 PM).

History

Click here for past Spring Fling Award Winners!

Spring Fling Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does a “NAGVA-style tournament” work?

A:  It’s a fun, full weekend of volleyball!  Saturday is round robin play.  You play four other teams in 2-game matches similar to a Friendship Tournament.  The second day is a double-elimination tournament with seeding determined by the success of teams on the first day of play.   Seeding will be announced at a party following pool play.  You keep playing Sunday until you lose two matches or win the championship!!! At the end of the tournament, awards will be given to the top 3 teams in the tournament.  Awards will also be given out for Tournament MVP and All Stars.

Q: Are team uniforms required?

A:  Uniforms are not required, but all players on a team need to wear shirts of a common color or design.

Q: I want to play in Spring Fling XIV, but I don’t have a team.  What can I do?

A: If you don’t have a team and you are playing in Gotham Division Play or Power, we recommend checking with teammates or friends in your division/power class to see if you can get a team together.  If you are struggling to find a team to play on, you can try and find a team using our Gotham Volleyball Team Up group, but we can’t guarantee that you will be placed on a team.

Q: Do I need to play in Gotham Division Play and Power to participate?

A: No.  The tournament is open to all players, although we strongly encourage the use of Gotham-rated players.  If you have never played in Gotham Division Play or Power, NAGVA or have not played in any of these places during the last 3 seasons, or if you returned to Division 7 this season without trying out for higher Divisions, you will need to be evaluated for eligibility by coming to a Gotham Friendship Tournament or Open Play prior to Spring Fling XIV.

In evaluating eligibility, players who will not fit well within the mainstream of participants will not be permitted to play.  If the justification for the player’s eligibility is that their skills are comparable to the strongest players of the highest division at each level, such players will likely not be permitted to play.

Q: Are there exceptions to the rule that only people who most recently played in Division 7 or lower and Power C or lower can play in Spring Fling XIV?

A: Yes, but only for the Intermediate Division. In that Division, teams may have two “transitional” players who play at a higher level.  Eligible “transitional” players are those players in Gotham’s Division 4-6, Power B, Team Power B and non-Gotham players with an active NAGVA B rating, as well as Division 7 players who returned to Division 7 without trying out for higher Divisions and are determined to be ineligible for the “Green” level.

 Q: Can players who play in Power A and B but Division 7 or lower, or players in Divisions 1-6 but Power C or lower play?

A: No, except for the “transitional” player rule discussed above.  If you have played in both Gotham Division Play and Power during the last 3 seasons, your most recent level must be BOTH Division 7 and lower AND Power C and lower (including PowerPlay) in order to be eligible.  If you have a player in this category, consider playing in the Intermediate Division and making this player one of your transitional players.

Q:  I was in Division 7 (or higher) and Power C (or higher) prior to this Spring. Can I remain/become automatically eligible for Spring Fling XIV because I only tried out for lower Divisions or Power classes in Spring 2023? 

A: No.  Players who return to Division 7 in the Spring because they chose not try out for anything higher and players who “drop” to Division 7/Power C or lower in the Spring by not trying out for the higher level they previously played in will need to be re-evaluated by the rating committee in order to determine whether they are eligible.  This determination will be made on a case by case basis by the tournament staff.

Q:  What about Team Power?

A: Participants in Team Power B who are currently playing in Gotham Division Play and/or Power and would otherwise be eligible if they didn’t play in Team Power are allowed to play in Spring Fling XIII.   All other participants in Team Power B can play as a transitional player in the Intermediate Division. Team Power A/BB participants as well as all players with NAGVA BB or higher ratings are not eligible to participate at any level in Spring Fling XIV.

 Q:  What about Power W, W2 and W3?

A: Power W2 and W3 players are eligible to participate in Spring Fling XIV, except if they play in Division 6 or higher in which case the above rules apply.  Participants in Power W are not eligible to play in Spring Fling XIV, except as transitional players.

Other Questions: If you have any other questions, please e-mail the Spring Fling XIV Tournament Directors at [email protected].

 
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