Earlier this week, we announced incredible news. It didn’t feel real then and it still doesn’t feel real now!
You may be curious too. How did Gainesville Volleyball wind up as the host of the 2024 AVP Grass Nationals presented by Gainesville Sports Commission and Visit Gainesville?
With just two months to go until the main event, here’s what’s flashing through our heads.
From Little Challenges to Big Adjustments
Gainesville Volleyball started with a small focus - organize competitive local events that allowed us and our friends to experience tournament play at a time when restrictions were limiting access to sports in general (late 2020).
It wasn’t easy starting a non-profit outdoor volleyball organization when we needed to list out COVID protocols, offer hand sanitizer, discourage handshakes, etc. We remember the countless events when Gainesville Volleyball staff HAD to play just to get the minimum teams for a division. We spent hours begging friends and acquaintances to give grass volleyball a chance, pleading that they were going to love it.
We also remember the times (yes, plural) when UPS delivered prizes to the wrong address the day before a tournament and we had to move on to Plan B and C to get what prizes ready. Friends picked up shirts for us from Orlando… time and time again. Other friends brought nets for the weekend because we didn’t have enough. We took a gamble when there was supposed to be a hurricane and held the windiest grass tournament that ever existed. We threw tournaments on holidays. We cooked and served hot dogs. We added the water slide.
We also panicked. We lost sleep. We argued. I can admit I cried.
But we asked for advice. We did polls. We observed. We listened. We grew. We reduced. We heard how incredibly grateful people were for these events.
And with each of those adjustments, Grassroots Tournaments became a well-oiled machine. Y’all showed up, and events continually grew in size.
Events For The Players By The Players
We’d be lying if we said we’ve ever felt fully prepared to host a Grassroots Tournament. I’d love to say we’ll feel that way on September 27th, but every tournament director knows there’s never enough time to get everything perfect before balls fly.
What we can guarantee is that we are going to think deeply about every moment of your event experience. That we are going to weigh the pros and cons (for better or worse!) until we reach a decision that works best for all players.
The same small goal will be in our minds just as it was on day one - provide the opportunity for all volleyball players to have the Florida grass volleyball tournament experience and enjoy one hell of a weekend with this amazing community.
Gainesville Volleyball is thrilled to host the 2024 AVP Grass Nationals presented by Gainesville Sports Commission and Visit Gainesville from September 27-29. The event registration page will be linked here and on our home page as soon as it is available! Follow us on Instagram @GainesvilleVolleyball for all updates!
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