Sarasota Volleyball

Volleyball is a popular pastime in Sarasota and surrounding Florida communities.  Sarasota residents and visitors can enjoy both traditional full-court volleyball, as well as fun and exciting beach volleyball thanks to the region´s temperate climate and beautiful beaches.

The Sarasota Family YMCA offers volleyball lessons for players of all ages, from children to adults and a special program for seniors.  In addition, the YMCA hosts open volleyball play on Tuesday and Friday evenings for adults over age 18.  More information about the YMCA and its volleyball classes and open play opportunities is available by contacting (941) 951-2916, or at http://www.sarasota-ymca.org.

Whitesands Volleyball Club of Sarasota is a volleyball club that provides volleyball training and the opportunity for players to commit during the off-season.  Whitesands got its start in 1993 as the first volleyball club in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, and is today the longest-operating volleyball club in the region.  The Club hosts young players, many of whom have gone on to play college volleyball.  Coaches at the Club are volunteers, which makes the opportunity to train and play at the club more affordable for players.  More information about the Whitesands Volleyball Club is available online at http://www.whitesandsvball.com, by telephone at (941) 321-4452 or (941) 735-6323, or by email at whitesandsvball@yahoo.com.

The Sarasota Volleyball Academy is a competitive volleyball club located on Avenida Del Norte in Sarasota.  The Academy holds annual tryouts for young people and offers training and competition under the tutelage of coach Steven Haugh.  Further information about the Sarasota Volleyball Academy is available online at http://www.svavolleyball.com, or by contacting Haugh directly at (941) 504-1291 or via email at coachhaugh@comcast.net.

East End Volleyball, based in New York, hosts a number of annual volleyball tournaments across the United States.  In 2007, East End events in Florida, which include both beach volleyball and indoor competitions, are scheduled to take place in Clearwater Beach, Delray Beach, Miami Beach, and Siesta Key.  Clearwater Beach and Siesta Key are both an easy trip from greater Sarasota.  More information about the East End Volleyball tournaments is available by calling (631) 728-0397, or online at http://www.eevb.net.

Sarasota-area beaches and parks offer outdoor volleyball courts, both paved and sand, many for public use.  Popular beach volleyball sites are located at Siesta Beach, the public beach at Siesta Key; North Jetty Park on Casey Key; Clearwater Beach; Crescent Beach; and many others.  Parks in the area with volleyball facilities include Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, Butler Park, the Englewood Sports Complex, Newtown Community Center and Estates Park, and the Twin Lakes Park Facility.