ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ September 28, 2005

Dear Coach,

Thanks for agreeing to coach in this year's RAGE Volleyball League.

A roster was or will be sent to your shortly so that you can call the parents and let them know what time and where practice will be held this Saturday.

We have attached a copy of the practice schedule for your convenience however it is also posted on our website. Please note that the 3^rd and 4^th grade teams will practice at Puyallup HS and all Junior High and 5^th/6^th grade teams will practice at Emerald Ridge HS.

To view the practice schedule, go to www.recre8.org and click on volleyball. Click on "PRACTICE SCHEDULES" in the right-hand column. Find the grade level of your team and it will show you the gym location and time of your practice. (NOTE: We urge you to bookmark this site as this is where you will find your game schedules next week). Please check in with the RAGE League representative upon arrival to practice.

We have around 500 girls participating this season which represents 52 teams. We are not sure how we are going to play all of these matches and we are not sure how quickly we can get the schedules completed but please be patient as we are doing a best.

All coaches should have read the handout on the website called ìWhat I Need to Know About Becoming a Coachî. It explains everything in detail that will help you in the capacity as a coach. You should also print up a copy of the rules so you can explain them to the players and parents before you play next week.

ÝLet us summarize what you as coaches need to do.

1. Please call all parents no later than this Thursday to inform them as to what time and where practice will be held this Saturday. Parents are antsy and already calling us for this information so please do this right away.

2. We recommend getting to the gym about 20 minutes before practice so that you can take a few minutes for introductions. That will allow you to take advantage of the full one hour on the court to actually practice.

3. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE GYM, PLEASE CHECK IN WITH THE RAGE LEAGUE REP. YOU WILL BE GIVEN A COMPLETE ROSTER AT THAT TIME. YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

a. Double check correct spelling of all names, home and cell phone numbers and email addresses. We need to get this information before you leave on Saturday.

b. Verify the t-shirt size desired. Once the shirts are ordered on Sunday there are no changes allowed.

c. Select a team name and a t-shirt color. We will have a color chart on-site for you to choose from. This must be completed before you leave on Saturday.

d. Indicate what size t-shirt the head coach wants. If the assistant coach needs a shirt there is an additional $5 charge and we need their name and t-shirt size as well.

SUBMIT THE UPDATED ROSTER AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BEFORE YOU LEAVE ON SATURDAY.

4. It is critical that you reserve a gym for practice by this Friday as the gyms are only being saved for us through Friday before being opened up to the general public. If you go to our website, you will find a link called Gymnasium Practice Arrangements. Please review this information to determine what schools are open on what days. Call the office manager designated, tell her you are with the RAGE Volleyball League and you want to reserve the gym for practice. Ask them what times are still available and then reserve the gym. If you can get by only using half of the gym then only reserve half and you should only have to pay for half. Make sure that they have equipment that is in working condition. You will need to fill out a Facility Use Request form to use the gym. Be sure to find out how much it costs so you can let parents know how much they will need to chip in to cover this cost. We strongly recommend collecting this money right away so you are not stuck with the bill.

We strongly recommend that you reserve the gym for one night a week for 60-75 minutes each. You may want to reserve it through November 19^th just in case you decide to enter our tournament on November 21. Keep in mind that you can always cancel one or two days without penalty. You, as the coach, will sign the Facility Use Request form for the gymóthe RAGE staff does not.

If you know your practice date, inform your team on Saturday as to when your next practice is that coming week. This will save you time from having to make phone calls. You may want to have a handout with your name and phone number and email on it along with the practice dates, time and location to give out at practice. Again, this will save you time in the long run.

5. We have about 8 teams without coaches although we do have someone who has agreed to call and let the players know when to show up for their practice this Saturday. When talking to the parents, please inform them that someone is going to need to step and volunteer to coach or co-coach. We need to know the name(s) of the coaches before you leave on Saturday otherwise it is possible that the girls will not be able to play.

6. When looking for a coach or an assistant please consider calling the head coach at the nearest high school and ask if they might have a couple of players willing to help out. You might also call the head coach at the nearest Junior High to enlist their help as well. As mentioned, getting a 9^th grader to coach as part of a Community Service Project can be fun and rewarding for all.

7. If you need some additional help, consider asking the high school players this Saturday to run the practice while you watch. Just ask the head coach for assistance. We also have an excellent DVD or VCR tape of a skills and drills program designed specifically for beginning coaches,. The cost is $7 and you need to call Dave Cupp right away at 848-8301 or email him at cuppdavid@comcast.net to order one. This will demonstrate drills that will last you the entire season.

8.Ý Schedules for your first match on October 8^th will be posted on the website by Wednesday, October 5^th although they may be posted earlier. Just keep checking after Sunday. The schedule for the balance of the season will follow shortly thereafter.

9. Saturday is the final day to order souvenir apparel. We plan to have it available for pickup on October 8^th. You will also get your t-shirts on October 8^th when you arrive at the gym.

10. There are several schools that had so many players that they will need to be divided up. We have indicated to you how many teams will need to be created and this MUST be completed before you leave on Saturday. We will need to know who is on each team and who is the coach of that team. Once this is done the rosters are frozen and we will NOT make adjustments.

We are grateful for your participation and commitment to coach in the program. We are confident that it will be a rewarding experience and please do not hesitate to contact either of us if we can be of any assistance during the season.

Good Luck!!

Marc BlauÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Dave Cupp

253-848-1360 or 677-2872ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 253-848-8301

blaumarc@qwest.netÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ cuppdavid@comcast.net