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MISSION & CLUB PHILOSOPHY

TNT Volleyball Club aims to teach strong fundamental volleyball skills while developing each player to their fullest potential—academically, athletically, and personally—by promoting teamwork, discipline, self-esteem, citizenship, and a deep understanding of the game. Because club participation requires significant time and financial commitment from athletes and families, TNT seeks to help members maximize their investment by fostering organization, dedication, confidence, and a sense of belonging for players at all levels, from beginners to those wanting to pursue collegiate play.

Our club attributes its success to the dedication of players, parents, and staff and measures achievement beyond wins and losses—valuing the journey as much as the destination by uniting individuals around a shared goal, overcoming differences, and helping each athlete reach team and personal potential. Success also means personal growth on and off the court through life skills instruction, high expectations, hard work, and selecting players who contribute positively to their team.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY

Our coaching staff has both played and studied the game and works to place each athlete where their strengths are showcased while using practice time to improve weaknesses. As such, parents and players must always show respect to coaches, teammates, opposing players, other parents, officials, and club staff in line with the following expectations to help promote ethical competition, sportsmanship, and character development in a positive environment:

TNT expects all players, parents, and staff to foster a positive, respectful environment. Unacceptable behavior that harms the club experience will not be tolerated and may result in immediate disciplinary action, up to player dismissal.

Core Expectations

• Show Respect — Treat everyone courteously and professionally at all times.
• Demonstrate Class — Live, cheer, and play with class. Be gracious in victory and accept defeat with dignity. Praise exceptional performance and respect all competitors.
• Act as Role Models — Model good character and appropriate behavior as representatives of TNT.
• Exercise Self‑Control — Maintain composure; avoid fighting, excessive anger, or demeaning behavior.

Prohibited Conduct 

• Discriminatory language or behavior based on race, gender, religion, or other factors.
• Aggressive, confrontational, or unsportsmanlike behavior during games, practices, or events.
• Verbal abuse, profanity, obscene gestures, offensive sexual remarks, trash‑talking, taunting, or harsh public criticism of others’ performance.
• Spreading rumors, gossip, or derogatory comments about club members.
• Excluding or ostracizing participants from team activities or social events.
• Undermining coaches by publicly questioning decisions, dictating strategy, or instructing players from the sideline.
• Repeatedly complaining about or arguing calls; disrespecting officials or tournament staff.
• Physical altercations of any kind.
• Refusal to follow club policies or event codes of conduct.

Interactions with Non‑Club Parties

• Treat tournament directors, referees, opposing parents, and event staff respectfully. Unreasonable demands, verbal abuse, or questioning officials’ integrity are prohibited.

Substance Policy

• Use of illegal drugs, performance‑enhancing drugs, recreational drugs, or other prohibited substances by any player is subject to immediate dismissal from a team.
• Similar use by parents or guardians—especially in the presence of athletes at practices or tournaments—is also strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary action.

Consequences

• Violations may lead to warnings, removal from events, restricted attendance at practices/tournaments, suspension, or dismissal of the player from the program, depending on severity.

COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROTOCOLS

• TNT requires respectful, timely communication so concerns are resolved quickly and fairly.

Communication Principles

• Coaches are not to be approached before, during, or immediately after practices or tournaments to raise concerns.
• Tournaments, especially, are not ideal for resolving disputes with the emotions of competition running high.
• As such, wait at least 24 hours after a specific incident before contacting a coach.
• Players should raise concerns with their coach first, with parental involvement occurring only after the player has attempted to resolve the issue (exception - when the issue involves the immediate health, safety, or welfare of a player).
• Include the player in discussions whenever possible so resolutions center on their development.
• Use private, calm settings for meetings; avoid addressing disputes during emotionally charged times (e.g., immediately after matches or at tournaments) or in front of other members of the team either in-person or electronically.

Appropriate Topics for Parent–Coach Discussion

• Treatment of the player
• Ways to help the player improve
• Concerns about the child’s behavior

Topics NOT Appropriate for Parent–Coach Discussion

• Playing time (see “Additional Policies” section for more information)
• Coaching decisions
• Other athletes

Level 1 Conflict Resolution Procedures (Player-Parent-Coach)

• Step 1 - The player speaks to the team’s coach(es) about the concern as soon as possible after the 24 hour timeframe has passed.
• Step 2 - If the issue remains unresolved, parents may document the concern in writing and send it to the coach.
• Step 3  - Upon contact, the coach will determine whether the matter can be handled by email or phone, or whether an in-person meeting is required.
• Any in-person meeting held will focus only on the documented concern and that player.

Level 2 Conflict Resolution Procedures (To Involve Club Administration)

• If the above steps do not solve an issue, parents should contact the club’s parent liaison, Brian Mooney, at tntbrianm@gmail.com and explain the issue and prior steps taken.
• The parent liaison will gather additional information from all parties involved and involve additional club leadership as needed.
• Any decisions made by club leadership to resolve an issue are to be considered final.

Consequences for Failure to Follow Communication and Conflict Resolution Guidelines

• Parents may be barred from attending practices or tournaments.
• A player may be suspended from their TNT team for a period of time, or dismissed for the remainder of the season, depending on severity and timing of the offense.

PAYMENT GUIDELINES

Payments are due on the 1st of the month, September - April or June.  If a payment is late (1st-5th) there will be a $25.00 late fee, and the athlete will not be able to participate in any sanctioned events or practices until a payment is made.  A $25.00 transaction fee will be assessed for each returned check, and if the problem occurs two times, parents must pay by cash or a cashier’s check.

Ways to Make Payments:

• Online via the TNT website
• Via a Drop Box at The Bunker or Armory - make sure to put player name and team on check and notify the club (questions@tntvb.com) when and where the check was dropped off.
• By Mail: Notify the club (questions@tntvb.com) that you are mailing a check and send to the following address with the player name and team clearly indicated:

TNT Volleyball

237 Berkeley Rd, Glenside, PA, 19038

Please know that once a player is committed to a team, we incur several expenses whether or not an individual continues the season with a team. It is parents’ responsibility then, to make sure all payments are made. All funds paid are non-refundable should a family choose for a player to not fulfill your commitment for the duration of the season.

For any payments not made in compliance with the above schedule and methods, TNT reserves the right to release you from your contract or enforce "no pay, no play."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By accepting an offer with TNT for the 2026 - 2027 Club Season, you acknowledge that you have received, read, and will abide by the policies and procedures described above along with those further explained in the “Additional Policies” section of this document below.

Additional Policies

CELLULAR PHONE USE & SOCIAL MEDIA

To promote team unity, TNT restricts cell phone and social media use during practices, tournaments, and team events. Devices may be used only with coach permission (for team-bonding records or other approved times). Using phones or technology in ways that interrupt team activities can result in losing device privileges.

Posting unsolicited comments or images about team strategies, or making personal attacks against the club, players, parents, coaches, or their families on social media (e.g., X, Facebook, Snapchat) may lead to dismissal from the team.

Coaches and club administrators may post team-related content during tournaments, including performance updates, photos of activities at or around venues, and team-bonding events. Parents who do not want their child included in social media posts should notify the coach at the season’s start; however, team photos that include all or most players cannot be removed.

By accepting a spot at TNT, players and parents agree to the following:

• Not posting negative comments about TNT, coaches, or teammates.
• Not posting inappropriate photos of themselves or teammates.
• Not encouraging or tolerating peer mistreatment via social media or otherwise.

ENERGY DRINKS

TNT prohibits caffeinated energy drinks, energy shots, and caffeine‑added supplements at  practices and tournaments due to serious health risks during physical exertion, including elevated/irregular heart rate, dangerously high blood pressure, and severe cardiac events. This policy is in response to real incidents within our community, and we appreciate the partnership with families to keep athletes safe by ensuring prohibited drinks remain at home.

Expectations & Procedures

• Do not bring energy drinks, energy shots, or caffeinated supplements to any TNT practice or tournament.
• Coaches may require players to discard prohibited beverages found on site.
• Prohibiting these products also prevents teammates from sharing them.
• Preferred fluids: water; caffeine‑free, electrolyte sports drinks are acceptable alternatives.

EVENT PROTOCOLS

Practice

• Attendance & Notification: Players are expected at all practices. If you must miss practice, notify the coach before the session and as early as possible so plans can be adjusted. In the case of injury or illness, a doctor’s note to return to practice may be required.
• Arrival & Readiness: Arrive at least 10 minutes early, put belongings down, and be ready to start. Be dressed in practice attire, have shoes on, water bottle filled, and individual warm-up/stretching completed before practice begins.
• Focus & Behavior: Practice is team-time — focus on practice only. No cell phones during practice or games. No foul language or disruptive behavior. Hair must be secured; no gum in the gym. Players must pick up trash and water bottles and care for equipment used in practice.
• Water & Breaks: Water breaks at the bench only; bring a water bottle or container.
• Injury & Illness: Inform coaches before practice if sick or injured. Significant medical issues (e.g., concussion, COVID) may require a doctor’s note clearing return to play.
• Transportation: Coaches will not leave a player unattended; staff will wait until a ride arrives. Parents should be prompt. Repeated late pick-ups may prompt a meeting to find a resolution.

Tournaments

• Arrival & Readiness: Arrive well-rested and at the time specified by the coach. Bring your bag with all uniforms and necessary gear. Come mentally and physically prepared for each day.
• Team Cohesion & Departures: Teams stay together during events. If leaving the site for any reason, notify the coach.
• Work Responsibilities: Share scorekeeping and other work duties equally. Every team member must remain until work responsibilities are complete.
• Site Care: Before leaving, clear your team area of trash and leave it as found or better.
• Nutrition: Treat tournament days as athletic events; choose foods that properly fuel performance.

PLAYING TIME

Playing time is determined by the team’s competitive level, the nature of the competition, and each player’s individual skills, attitude, and consistent contribution to team performance and chemistry. Coaches base decisions on observations made during team events, including practices and matches. Factors that may affect playing time include, but are not limited to:

• Positional or team skill needs
• Individual player ability and confidence
• Player attitude and effort
• Match tempo and tactical considerations
• Strength of the opponent
• Limits on the number of substitutions available

Because of these factors, some players may receive limited playing time. Coaches must sometimes make difficult lineup decisions—especially for pivotal crossover, semifinal, and final matches. Parents and players are expected to respect coaching decisions regardless of the outcome and address concerns in line with club communication guidelines previously described.

Acceptance of an offer to play at TNT indicates player and parental agreement with the following:

• I understand that making the team does not guarantee playing time in a game.
• I understand that playing time for each athlete is based on skill level, work ethic and attitude, but ultimately it is the decision of the coach.
• I understand that supporting every player, even if it is the one who is playing in front of me (or my child) will be expected of all as part of being on a team.

PERSONAL ITEMS AND UNIFORMS

• Each player is responsible for keeping track of personal items and for assisting with tracking and return of club-issued equipment as well.
• If personal items are misplaced, the Bunker and Armory both have lost and found areas.
• Please be patient with uniform and spirit-wear orders as the club works to fill them. For uniform issues, contact Director of Operations Leon Kasperski at tntbvcrecruiting@gmail.com