Questions & answers
Common questions
The questions homeschool families ask us most — about cost, ages, seasons, gyms and getting started. If yours isn't here, ask our assistant with the Ask Paul button in the corner of any page, or email jodie@westcoastimpact.com.
Who is eligible to play?
WCI is a Christian homeschool athletic league for families in the greater Sacramento area. For specifics on age and grade eligibility, see the Eligibility & FAQ page or email a director.
How much does registration cost?
Registration is $440 per athlete. If we had to pay all our coaches and volunteers, a season would cost about $1,340 per athlete — but their donated time and our donors cover that gap, so families only pay $440.
What age group / division is my child in?
We have two age divisions: Juniors for ages 7–11, and the 12–18 division for the older athletes. Sign your child up for the one that matches their age.
Do I have to be a Christian to play?
You don't have to be a Christian to play. That said, everything we do — coaching, training, and team life — is done from a Christian worldview, and our teams share Bible study and prayer together. Full participation is part of being on the team: taking part in all team activities, at both practices and games, is required of every player, and opting out of that time together isn't optional. Families also review and accept our Statement of Faith when they join — accepting it isn’t a personal profession of faith; it means you understand these are the beliefs WCI operates by and your family agrees to respect them.
When does the season start? When does the season run?
Fall volleyball kicks off with Opening Day on Saturday, August 1 at 3:00 PM at Radiant Church in Orangevale — everyone's invited. Team practices begin Monday, August 3, and the season runs through mid-November. Basketball (winter) runs about January through March. Every game lands on the league calendar as it's scheduled, and you can filter it to your athlete's team and subscribe so your phone stays current at westcoastimpact.com/calendar.
Where are practices and games held? Where do you play? Where do you compete?
Because gym time and coach availability shift from season to season, our practice and game sites move with them — so we're spread across about 15 ZIP codes around the greater Sacramento region. Our main hubs are Fair Oaks, Rancho Cordova, Placerville, Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, Auburn, Elk Grove, Vacaville, and Citrus Heights. Every GAME — date, time, gym and a map link — is on the league calendar, and you can filter it to just your athlete's team and subscribe once so your phone stays current at westcoastimpact.com/calendar. PRACTICE times and last-minute practice changes still live on Crossbar.
How often and how long are practices?
Juniors (ages 7–11) practice once a week. The 12–18 division practices twice a week. Every practice is 2 hours.
How do I register my child?
Registration runs through our secure Crossbar portal — the "Register" button on the site takes you there. If you get stuck, email a director and we'll walk you through it.
How big is a volleyball court, and how high is the net for boys and girls?
The COURT is the same for everyone: 60 feet by 30 feet (18 m x 9 m), measured to the OUTER edge of the boundary lines. The lines are 2 inches wide and a ball touching any part of a line is IN. The attack line — the “10-foot line” — sits 10 feet from the center line on each side. A gym should have at least 6 feet of clear space outside the lines (10 is better), and the ceiling clear to about 23 feet. The NET is what differs: 7 feet 4-1/8 inches (2.24 m) for girls and women, and 7 feet 11-5/8 inches (2.43 m) for boys and men. It is measured at the CENTER, and the ends may not sit more than 3/4 of an inch higher than that. The antennas — the striped rods at each sideline — rise 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 feet above the net, and a ball has to pass between them to be good. Those are the NFHS high-school heights, which is the rule book our league plays by. OUR YOUNGER PLAYERS play lower, and with a different ball: at 12 and under (12U) the net is 7 feet 0 inches (2.13 m) and the ball is a Volley-Lite — lighter than a regulation ball, so young arms can pass and serve it properly. If your athlete is in another age group and you want the exact number, ask your coach or a director rather than assuming; I would rather send you to a person than guess.
Can I register now and pay later?
Yes — at the payment step there's a payment-plan option (look for the "January payment option" during basketball sign-ups). If you don't see it or need a code to hold a spot, email a director and we'll set it up.
Is there a discount for multiple children?
We've offered a free child registration in past seasons (volleyball and basketball). It can vary season to season, so email a director to confirm what's available right now.
Which team or division will my child be on?
Team and division placements are made by WCI directors — nothing you pick during signup changes that. If you're unsure which division to register for (for example a D1 vs. D2 team, or the Co-op option), check with a director before you register.
What tournaments will my child play in? Where do I find the tournaments?
Every tournament our teams travel to is on one page — Compete → Tournaments, at westcoastimpact.com/tournaments. The big local one is the Western Nationals Volleyball Tournament (WNVB), September 17–19, 2026 at The Grounds — Roebbelen Center in Roseville, which WCI hosts. There's also the Sand Tournament (October 30, Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach) and the LA Tournament the very next day — one trip covers both. The KC Nationals in Kansas (October 15–17) is for our Nationals teams only and is NOT the same event as the Western Nationals. Each card shows the date and location and links out to the tournament's own page at /tournaments.
What's the difference between the Juniors and the 12–18 division?
Juniors (ages 7–11) practice once a week; the 12–18s practice twice a week — both for 2 hours. Both play the regular season, the local National Western tournament, and the optional LA tournament. Only the 12–18 division goes to the invitation-only Nationals in Kansas.
Can my child be on a certain team?
There are many factors to this question we consider. When evaluating these requests, we follow a thorough process similar to a high school or competitive club program. Because we operate as a competitive league rather than a recreational program, roster decisions are based on several distinct factors. Our primary consideration is always player skill level to ensure safety and fair competition. From there, we evaluate age group requirements, geographical locations, and overall team balance. While we understand the desire for children to play alongside their friends, social pairings are a secondary factor in our final team construction. Please know that we thoroughly consider every angle to place each athlete where they can best develop and contribute to a cohesive team.
When is the basketball tournament?
We hold two basketball tournaments. The Christmas Clash 3v3 Tournament is our Christmas-season 3v3 event (fast games, small teams), and our main tournament is on Presidents' Day weekend (mid-February). Each one's date and gym are posted on the Basketball page as soon as they're confirmed.
How can parents volunteer at home games? What jobs are there?
Every HOME game runs on parent volunteers — line judging, score flipping, the official book, libero tracking, and gym liaison & game security (one job, two hats). Juniors are the one exception: there is no libero in the Juniors game, so libero tracking never appears on a Juniors sheet. The score-table jobs are the ones a game genuinely can't run without, so those are the ones to grab first. Set-up and closing aren't parent jobs: the home team's own players set the gym up, and the coach closes it since he has the keys. On the sign-up sheet a job turns GREEN once it's filled — white jobs still need someone. Jobs go first come, first served and there are plenty of games, so look at your calendar early and grab your dates.
What is the Christmas Clash 3v3?
The Christmas Clash 3v3 is our Christmas-season basketball tournament — 3-on-3, small teams, fast games, and a lot of fun. The date and gym are announced on the Basketball page as soon as they're set.
How do I become a coach or assistant coach?
Fill out a coaching application. We then check references and run a background check, and California requires Live Scan fingerprinting. FBI/DOJ fees are covered by WCI (a Live Scan site may charge a small $20–30 rolling fee, which we'll reimburse) — just bring your ID to any Live Scan provider. New coaches also meet with the directors, and there's a mandatory coaches meeting that includes the Live Scan.
What forms and waivers do I have to sign?
They're all in one box on the Parents page, ready to print or read on your phone: the Release Waiver and the Concussion Liability Release (parents and athletes sign both at season start), the Concussion Evaluation & Release to Play for your doctor after a head injury, the Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation completed by a physician, the Boys & Girls Club building-use waiver, and the OMNI Sports facility waiver. The Athletic Handbook sits right underneath them. Grab any of them at /parents.
We can't afford registration — are there scholarships?
Nobody should sit out over money. Both scholarships and payment plans are available for families who need help — at the payment step there's a payment-plan option, and for anything beyond that a director will set it up quietly. Registration is $440 because donors and 14,000+ volunteer hours already cover the rest of the roughly $1,340 a season actually costs. The fee basics are at /eligibility-faq.
Will photos of my child be posted online?
Most likely yes. When you register, the Terms of Service include a use-of-name-and-likeness section giving WCI the right to use an athlete's name, image and likeness in photos and video tied to our nonprofit mission — on the website, on social media, and in print. Our Play & Athlete of the Week features come from exactly that. If a specific photo concerns you, tell your coach and they'll pass it to a director. The exact wording is in the Terms at /our-policies.
What does my athlete need to bring?
Not much — the league provides the balls and your athlete's team uniform. Families bring the personal gear: a water bottle and knee pads are the usual list. Practices run two hours, so send plenty of water. Anything specific to your team comes from your coach or team manager, and the rest of the basics are at /eligibility-faq.
How do I become a team manager?
The team manager is the heart of the team — keeping families connected, running the socials and the banquet sign-up sheet, and carrying the warmth that holds a season together. The Team Manager page walks through what you'd actually do and has the printable job description; when you're ready, the short form asks which team you'd like to serve so we can connect you with the right coach. Don't worry about the tools — everything a team manager needs lives right here on the website. Start at /volunteer/team-mom.
Why are there ads on The HuB, and how does a business advertise with WCI?
The sponsor box at the top, the tape near the bottom and the delivery truck are all our advertisers — local businesses whose support helps keep a season at $440 instead of what it actually costs to run. Each one is listed with what they do, and clicking through to them is a real way to say thank you. If your business would like a spot, there's an “Advertise with WCI” box at /advertisers.
Ready to join us?
Registration is $440 for the season, and every family is welcome — you can start at our registration page.