HighLine Volleyball Club Director Roy Watson

What drew you to volleyball and ultimately led up to becoming a club director?

I’ve been playing volleyball for over 30 years. I’ve been coaching for nearly 20. I started as a club director 10 years ago after realizing that the current space needed a different approach. One that treated families and athletes as family members and not commodities. We revamped everything and focused on building a program and culture that centered around best-practice teaching, strong data-driven methodologies, and kindness.

What do you love about volleyball in the Philly area?

Volleyball in the Philadelphia area and surrounding counties has always been a wonderful vibe. Lots of great communities coming together playing the game they love! You can’t beat that!

When it comes to your own development as a leader, what are you most interested in accomplishing next?

Continuing to build our family first culture while empowering our coaches by modeling best practice teaching standards and approaches. Using the principles of Gold Medal Squared to set an example for younger coaches while maintaining the fundamental philosophies of the Positive Coaching Alliance. Focusing on building a universal language of kindness in our gym treating every family and athlete with respect, always.

What resources do you recommend to help players and parents boost their volleyball IQ?

The best thing athletes can do to learn the game, is play the game. Play indoors. Play outdoors. Play in the grass. Play in the sand. Play in the park. Play in the gym. Play!

Any advice for parents and players when it comes to choosing a new club or deciding whether to stay with their current club?

Do not listen to anyone. Trust your gut. If you and your athletes are happy at your current club, stay at your current club. If you have strong relationships with the coaching staff and you’re happy with your athlete’s progress and learning, you are probably in a great space. Trust your instincts. Trust how you feel. Do not let difficult-to-control variables such as playing time, position, wins/losses dictate your decision. If your athlete is happy, working hard, getting better, and learning. You are probably at the right club!

If you could give one piece of advice to parents, what would it be?

Trust your gut… [Let them] play volleyball because your athlete loves to play volleyball. Do not let things like scholarship possibilities influence your decision-making.

Most of the data supports that using club volleyball as a financial vehicle to earn a scholarship is very likely a poor return on investment.

Athletes can be recruited to play volleyball at the college level from any club.

Athletes get recruited. Clubs do not.

Tournament food: açaí bowl, walking taco, or too excited to eat?

açaí bowl

For more information on HighLine Volleyball Club visit their [club profile page](https://phillyball.com/clubs/pennsylvania/montgomery/collegeville/highline-aspiring?state=Pennsylvania)