What should a volleyball pre-season newsletter cover?

Tryout dates and what coaches are looking for in each position, the full season match schedule, uniform sizing and ordering deadlines, physical and clearance requirements, and an introduction to the coaching staff. Also include transportation policy for away matches and a note on the academic eligibility rules your district applies.

How do volleyball coaches handle multi-team programs in their newsletters?

Schools with varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams should either send separate newsletters per level or use clearly labeled sections within a single send. Families with students at different levels get frustrated when they have to read an entire newsletter to find information about one specific team. Separate subscriber lists for each team level make this manageable.

Should volleyball newsletters cover match results?

Yes, briefly. A sentence or two on each recent match is enough to acknowledge the team's work without turning the newsletter into a play-by-play. Include the score, any notable team performance notes, and a brief look ahead to the next opponent. Avoid singling out individual errors.

What logistical details do families most need from volleyball newsletters?

Away match departure times, expected return times, and whether students need to arrange their own ride home if the return is late. Also include details for matches at unfamiliar venues: address, parking notes, admission cost if applicable, and whether families can access bleachers on both sides of the gym.

How does Daystage help volleyball programs communicate with families?

Daystage lets volleyball coaches maintain a reusable newsletter template per team level, send urgent updates for schedule changes separately from the regular newsletter, and manage subscriber lists for each team so varsity families do not receive JV-specific content and vice versa.

School Volleyball Newsletter

Volleyball programs that communicate clearly before and during the season spend less time answering parent emails and more time coaching. The families of your athletes want to support the program. Giving them accurate, timely information is what makes that support possible.

Setting up the pre-season communication

Three weeks before tryouts is the right time to send the first newsletter. Families need to schedule physicals, clear their student's calendar, and review eligibility requirements before the process starts. A pre-season newsletter that covers all of this in one send prevents the rush of last-minute questions coaches deal with in the week before tryouts open.

Cover tryout dates clearly, including any position-specific days if your program runs them separately. Include the expected team sizes for each level so families have realistic expectations going in. A brief note on your team selection philosophy, without overpromising results, shows families you take the process seriously.

Managing multi-team communication

Schools with varsity, JV, and freshman programs face a newsletter complexity that single-team programs do not. Each level has different schedules, different families, and different logistical details. Running one newsletter with three mixed levels buried inside it means every reader has to scan for the content that is relevant to their student.

The cleanest approach is separate newsletters per level with separate subscriber lists. If that feels like too much production work, use clearly labeled sections with headings that let readers jump to the right section fast. Either approach is better than one undifferentiated newsletter that serves nobody well.

In-season newsletter structure

A consistent structure for every in-season newsletter means families know where to look without reading every word. A reliable format might be: recent results, upcoming matches this week with full logistics, any schedule changes or announcements, and one recognition item. Four sections, always in the same order.

The match logistics section should be thorough for away games. Include the address of the venue, parking or entry notes for gyms that are unfamiliar to your families, departure time if transportation is provided, expected return time, and admission cost if applicable. Families who are driving themselves need the same logistical detail.

Communication around cuts and roster decisions

Cuts are the hardest part of running a competitive volleyball program, and they require careful communication. The newsletter is not the place to announce cuts. Do that through direct contact with families. But the newsletter before tryouts should set clear expectations about the process: when decisions will be communicated, how, and what families should do if they have questions.

A post-tryout newsletter to families of selected players should confirm roster spots, first practice details, and any remaining clearance items students need to complete before they can participate. Getting this information out quickly closes the loop on the tryout process and lets families move into season mode.

Recognizing team milestones

Team milestones worth noting in the newsletter include win streaks, conference standings, personal bests in serving or blocking percentages, and senior recognition moments like senior night. These items give the newsletter substance beyond logistics and give families something to celebrate and share.

When your program makes the playoffs, send a standalone newsletter immediately after bracket announcements rather than waiting for the next regular cycle. Families plan ahead for playoff attendance, and giving them maximum lead time shows respect for their schedules.

Closing the season well

The end-of-season newsletter should acknowledge the team's full body of work across the year, recognize individual senior players, and thank the families who supported the program. Include information about off-season training opportunities, summer conditioning camps, and fall registration timelines if your sport runs again in the fall.

The final newsletter is often the one that gets shared most widely, forwarded to alumni, and saved by families. Treat it as the lasting record of the season.

School Volleyball Newsletter: Keeping Families Informed From Tryouts Through Championship