Sand

Volleyball USA Sand Page 3.28.13 

Sand on 40 Grand Thumb 
Thinking of adding a sand program?

Read Jason Kepner's article "Sand on $40 Grand" from Coaching Volleyball magazine or listen to the webinar! 

College of Charleston Sand Player

 

Sand/beach volleyball is one of only a few team sports that is showing positive growth over the last five years per the 2013 Sports & Fitness Industry Association's Topline Report.  Five-year growth rates of 2.5% among core participants and 4.9% among casual participants are eclipsed only by Lacrosse; and, among sports with over one million participants, Sand/Beach volleyball has the strongest 5-year rate among the most serious (core) participants.  Much of this growth has been in the 13-25-year-old female demographic, where almost 500,000 new participants have taken up the sport since 2007, increasing participation in this sector alone by 85%. 


30 four-year colleges and universities sponsor varsity Sand Volleyball programs with over 40% offering some financial aid.  Once the number of varsity teams crosses the 40-school threshold, broadly anticipated in the spring of 2014, the NCAA will begin making plans to transition Sand Volleyball to championship sport status.  Varsity programs are being added at a rate of 15-20 annually, making Sand Volleyball the NCAA's most successful Emerging Sport for women.


Sand volleyball is now a varsity high school sport in the state of Arizona and high school leagues are being formed in many states. The opportunity for juniors play is also expanding rapidly. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) hosts many junior beach events, as does USA Volleyball,