Early Signing & Tryouts
Club Approval, Early Signing & December Tryout Procedures — 2026/27 Season
Volleyball Manitoba has updated the Club Approval, Early Signing, and December Tryout processes for the upcoming season.
Key Points
- Early Signing is only for 17U & 18U athletes. Clubs and athletes are not required to participate.
- Athletes born in 2011 or later (16U or younger) cannot early-sign but may play up after December tryouts.
- 13U–16U athletes may only commit to teams during November/December tryouts.
- A maximum of 12 players can be signed to a team during Early Signing, but teams may roster up to 15 players following tryouts in December.
Club Approval
Recruitment blackout: June 1 – Aug 3, 2026.
Key Dates:
- July 13 – Club approval applications open.
- July 20 – Coach registration opens in SportLomo.
- July 25–July 31 – Early-signing clubs must be approved.
- July 31 – Early-signing head coaches must have screening requirements.
- Aug 4 – Eligible clubs list posted (see documents below when available).
Early Signing Timeline (17U & 18U only)
- Aug 4 – Blackout lifts; communication can begin.
- Aug 24–30 – Clubs may offer open gyms for 17U/18U teams for identification purposes.
- Aug 31–Sept 3 – Open signing window for all eligible athletes. Offers must be made via email starting at 12pm noon on Aug 31st and athletes have 30 hours to decide. The final offer can be made Sept 3rd at 12pm noon and allow until Sept 4th at 6pm to decide. Offer must include VM’s Early Signing Agreement Form.
- Sept 3 – All re-signed athletes need to be submitted to VM.
- Sept 4 – Signed athletes will be posted online.
- Sept 4–30 – Early-signed athletes must be registered in SportLomo.
Once signed, athletes are committed for the season and cannot be recruited by other clubs.
December Tryouts (all ages) — 2026/27 Changes
Start dates:
14U and Younger
- Tryouts begin: Sunday, November 29, 2026
- Offers may be sent: Sunday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m.
- Athlete response deadline: Athletes have 24 hours to accept or decline an offer.
15U and 16U
- Tryouts begin: Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Offers may be sent: Saturday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m.
- Athlete response deadline: Athletes have 24 hours to accept or decline an offer.
17U and 18U
- Tryouts begin: Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Blackout date: 18U tryouts cannot take place on Sunday, December 13, due to the Grad All-Star Game.
- Offers may be sent: Thursday, December 17, at 6:00 p.m.
- Athlete response deadline: Athletes have 24 hours to accept or decline an offer.
Registration: Athletes must complete their registration before their Premier Tournament.
Compliance
Clubs violating these rules risk losing Approved Club status and/or early-signing eligibility.
