April 10th, 2013
Beach volleyball players and fans are divided after the AVP released its first event of 2013.
The AVP has posted this statement as of 3 hours ago:
One of the most challenging tasks is setting our schedule. As part of the process, we must balance the needs of players, sponsors, broadcast partners, event promoters, and our host city partners. Without these key constituents, the tour would not be able to reach its full potential.
The AVP looks forward to bringing the 30th anniversary tour to five different cities this year and is excited to build on the momentum that was created by our two stops in 2012. Our events last season boasted over 30,000 attendees, and we’re confident that this is just the beginning of a very successful nation-wide tour and a great step in the re-launch and growth of professional beach volleyball here in the United States. The AVP is dedicated to providing our fans and players with world-class events, and will do so with all five of our 2013 tournaments. Players are excited for the re-emergence of the AVP tour and we all hope to see you out there!
Thumbs up on this statement!
Now, here’s something dramatic and interesting. Claws are out between Todd Rogers’ new partner, Ryan Doherty, and Tarin Keith (see below).
Ryan posted this on his Facebook Page:
“I’m seeing some people are upset that the AVP announced their SLC event for the same weekend as the NVL in Hermosa. I’ll explain my thoughts in detail once the full schedule comes out, but for now, just know that this was a smart move by the AVP and the best thing for beach volleyball, fans and players alike.”
Then it generated some comments like this one from someone named Todd Gawronski:
“First off, players should be thrilled that there are two event options. 2nd of all, that should provide 250 players and opportunity to play. How is that bad? 3rd, why should any current tour give a rats ass what the players want? It’s their show, their money, their program. If the players don’t like it, don’t play. 4th and finally, competition is a good thing. If the AVP comes out strong and it happens to be the same weekend as another event, so what? As far as I’m concerned, put the best possible program out and let the market decide. And oh, I just learned who Tarin what’s her last name is today. That should say it all.”
Did Todd just take a jab at Tarin? Hah! Burn!
Tarin responds…
Ryan, I’m sure you didn’t sign a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) without having a check in hand. I’m curious to hear how you think that segmenting the players is in the best interest of the sport or provides a good experience for the fans. Think back to the days when you were hoping that someone would give you a chance…you might have felt differently.
Todd- I’m all for competition. What I don’t appreciate is that the AVP is saying one thing and doing another. I will continue to let the volleyball world know what is happening.In the meantime, it will be interesting to see what they have to say for themselves on Friday…
Ryan…
I have not received any compensation of any kind from the AVP, aside from what I earned in tournaments. Can you say the same about Al-B and his Volleyball Vacations?
Did Ryan just reveal to the world Tarin’s affiliation with the NVL?
Tarin…
I was an employee of Volleyball Vacations for 2 years. I worked 40+ hours a week to help grow the sport and it was my chance to give back. Most of our pros came on these trips for the exact same reasons… Anyone who knows me or AL-B knows that we had our differences. But what it comes down to is that we shared a passion for this sport. I have coached, run tournaments for the CBVA and put in plenty of hours on the sand giving back. So questioning my credibility is not in your best interest. I would be saying the same thing about the NVL if their actions were questionable, but I hope that I will never have to…
Ryan…
“I was questioning your credibility any more then your “without a check in hand” line questioned mine. And I just think you should have disclosed that you have a financial incentive to support the NVL over the AVP.”
Tarin…
I have absolutely zero financial incentive at all. The only money I make (for volleyball) is my tournament winnings, which isn’t much. I haven’t worked for AL-B for over 2 years now. I have a real job in NYC and play volleyball because I love it. Make sure you have current info before you attack my credibility again.
Ryan…
Again, I didn’t question your credibility any more then you did mine.
TIMEOUT!
Hah!
We enjoy hearing both sides but at the same time we hope every beach volleyball entity in the US of A to just work together – if possible – and just do what’s best for the sport.
For sure there’s more drama in the coming days.
Stay tuned…
April 10th, 2013
Disappointment abounds over the announcement of the 1st AVP event of 2013. Hooray! There’s another event…oh, what’s that? It’s on the same weekend as the Hermosa Beach NVL event…that was scheduled 3 months ago? I wish I could say I’m surprised.
I’m not trying to be negative…I’m trying to bring some light to this ridiculous situation. So far in 2013, there are 4 events on the calendar for the NVL and 1 for IMG/USA volleyball. They have been there for months. You would think that the AVP staff would be capable of looking at the season and try to setup an event that does not conflict with a pre-existing date. Instead, they are paying the top players to show up and once again segmenting the sport. I would love to know how this is supposed to help develop a sustainable future for our sport.
Where is the so-called “governing body” of USA volleyball? Why isn’t someone stepping in to say, sorry new kid on the block…we aren’t going to sanction that event. Does someone have their hand in the cookie jar, again? Or has our sport just turned into a free-for-all? No wonder the FIVB has been avoiding an event in the US. We can’t even work together when there are only 5 scheduled domestic events!
The sport of beach volleyball has seen the rise and fall of many professional domestic tours. Unless Donald Sun has a bottomless pot of gold, the newest version of the AVP will be another flash in the pan. The common cause of their failure is the un-willingness to work together with others.
The last time I checked, this business model does not last. It only serves as a payday to those few close minded, short-sighted people at the top of the food chain. Those are the same people who grant last minute entrance into a tournament to a player because of their status. Unfortunately, that same group of players who get preferential treatment are enabling these so called business men, to use and abuse their short lived power trip. I understand that the top players have to make a living and that the easiest, most immediate way to do that is to play for the highest bidder. That’s the way it has always been. Even though the volleyball world is a very small community, those at the top rarely look out for those under them. This leaves the other 95% of the players frustrated and voiceless. (unless you have a blog, like me).
The ONLY way that our sport will ever flourish, is if the fans and players band together and take a stand. Please go to the AVP facebook page, USA volleyball page and the NVL page and leave a comment. We have to let these people know that we care. Our passion for this sport is the only reason that beach volleyball has survived as long as it has. The greed and misuse of assets is going to kill our sport once and for all if we don’t speak up.
August 30th, 2012
The AVP Returns But Unfortunately Nothing Has Changed.
When the AVP announced that there was a new owner, everyone in the Volleyball community was buzzing with excitement. When they announced that they would have 2 events this year, the players were fired up. That meant more prize money and competition, that would hopefully lead to a bigger and better 2013. I for one, was, and still am, very skeptical about how the AVP plans to build a sustainable tour. Is there a unique business model? I sure hope so or I’m afraid we will see history repeat itself.
When they released the dates of the events I was frustrated because Cincinnati was the same weekend as Motherlode. Something that has plagued the tours over the past 2 seasons have been scheduling conflicts and lack of respect for each other. This was red-flag #1. Now I had a decision to make…do I go to Motherlode, in beautiful Aspen or support the new AVP tour? I looked into the details for Cincy and found that it was a qualifier for the Santa Barbara event. Only the top 12 teams qualify for SB, meaning we have to finish 9th or better. I felt like we had a reasonable chance of making that happen, so we signed up for Cincinnati.
Little did I know that they were only using 2010 main draw points and Cuervo points from this year. Unfortunately, my current partner was not allowed to play AVP at that time because she was still waiting for her green-card (which she now has). Needless to say, we find ourselves as the 4 seed in the qualifier for Cincy, even though we we’re the 15 seed in Manhattan last weekend. It’s disappointing that the AVP feels the need to create more of a disconnect between the tours by using some mutant form of a points system that benefits players who haven’t even played in 2 years. Even more so after all these press releases and articles came out saying how Donald Sun wants to help unify the sport…Sounds good in theory, but actions speak louder than words. That was red flag #2.
So, here I am, Tuesday night before I leave, packing my bags, mentally preparing for 2 matches on Thursday to make it into the last 4 spots in the main draw. Since we are the 4 seed, I like my chances. I go to sleep visualizing winning and all the positive things that were ahead of me. This morning I wake up to a “Last Minute Change” email from Hans Stolfus. My stomach clenches and that old feeling of dread creeps over me. There was a change to the women’s brackets. I want to say I’m surprised, but I’m really not. I won’t mention names, out of respect to fellow players, but a highly recognizable team decided that they wanted to play Cincy instead of the FIVB event. The registration deadline was August 17th, 12 days ago. Barring some act of God, I think they should have known which event they were going to play. But they also knew that they could make a few calls and get into the event.
Now, what happens to the qualifier is this…There are only 3 spots, instead of 4. They left the last seeded team in the main draw and now instead of having to play 1-2 matches, we have to play 3-4 matches. We must play down to the final 2 teams. The two 3rd place teams will have a lucky losers match for the last spot. Basically, we have to play a full mini-tournament to make it to Friday. Then we get to play the 1-3 seed first thing Friday morning. Is it too late to go to Aspen?
I understand the AVP supporting such a decorated team due to brand image. However, it sends a very bad message to teams seeded 21 and below that they will be treated as second class players. We all make sacrifices to play this sport, purely for the fact that we love it. However, the AVP has demonstrated time and time again that only the top players really matter. That is how they get sponsor money and market their events. This whole scenario makes sense on a very selfish level for said team to do this. It’s unfortunate that the AVP couldn’t come up with a better solution.
Please understand, I don’t necessarily have a better solution. Once they agreed to let them in, the damage was done. They don’t have enough time or space to make it a 32 team draw. It justs sets the precedent that nothing has changed. They are back to their old ways, which doesn’t look good to sponsors, players or fans. If they really wanted to turn over a new leaf, they would have handled this much differently. They said they wanted to make a splash…well, congratulations.
So, as I sit on my plane, I am trying to stay focused on all the right things. I will let my frustrations go as soon as I land. I will just tell people to read my blog if they want to know how I really feel. My job now is to play my best, win the matches I need to win and make the best out of a tough situation. Everything happens for a reason, which I guess is still to be determined…
Tarin Keith
(www.tarinkeith.com)
About Tarin: Tarin was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. She graduated from UNLV with a bachelors in Business marketing. She received both academic and athletic scholarship to play volleyball, garnering numerous accolades throughout her career. She made the move to southern California in April of 2005 to pursue her dreams of becoming a beach volleyball player. That dream came true in Chicago 2007, when she qualified for her 1st AVP main draw appearance and has never looked back. She has won multiple tournaments and continues to improve her finishes every year, with two 9th place finishes at NVL events in 2011. Besides her success on the court, Tarin works with an SEO and web presence development firm in New York. She also utilizes these skills to develop her own presence in the volleyball community, establishing a solid fan base throughout the nation.
UPDATE: As of press time, Tarin and her partner have qualified in the Main Draw of the AVP Cincinnati Open.
(Disclaimer: Volleywood.net has received permission to post the entire text written by Miss Tarin Keith. The views and/or opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Volleywood.Net/ Image: www.sos-photography.net)