Registration Process & Fees
<b>Registration Process</b> Registration will be on-line only at www.volleyball.ca. Teams that have registered on-line as members of their Provincial/Territorial Association (P/TA) will be able to retrieve their information to register for National Championships, in which case, as teams update their roster at the provincial level, the change will be made instantaneously at the national level. Teams within provinces/territories that do not use on-line registration with VC will register the same way as last year, hence, teams will need the provide the following information: ·A minimum of 8 players ·Team staff and player’s personal information (full name, address, phone number, date of birth, height and e-mail) ·Players shirt number and position ·Valid credit card All entries received will be acknowledged with an email confirmation. <b>Fees</b> Registration fees are $600.00 (+ credit card fees) per team and can only be paid online by Visa or Mastercard. <b>Refunds & Withdrawals </b> Refunds will be given (less a $100 administrative fee) on withdrawals made up to 12:00am (EST) on the entry deadline for your event. After this time, no refunds will be given.

Eligibility
<b>Team Eligibility</b> All teams must: 1) be registered and in good standing within their own P/TA and with Volleyball Canada (refer to the "VC Indoor Competition Guide" which can be accessible via http://www.volleyball.ca/index.asp?page=98 as well as your P/TA for complete registration details). Out of country teams must also be registered and in good standing within their own region. 2) participate in the Provincial Championship (any Tier) held in their own Province or Territory, if one exists (team roster must be the same at provincials and nationals). 3) meet all the registration requirements. <b>Player Eligibility</b> 15 & under: Players must have been born in 1989 or later (no exceptions) 16 & under: Players must have been born in 1988 or later (no exceptions) <b>Roster</b> The team roster may consist of a maximum of 15 players and 3 coaching staff (Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager). Only 12 of those 15 players can be registered on the scoresheet during competition and will be permitted to play any given match. These 12 athletes may vary form one match to another.

Technical Matters
<b>Seeding and Divisional Play</b> Full regulations on seeding and divisional play (Rule 13.0) can be found in VC Indoor Competitions Guide via www.volleyball.ca (VC Competitions/ Indoor/Championships). 13.3 Entry for Eastern Championships (Division 1) 1) All eastern Provincial champions (ON, QC, NB, NS, PE and NL), 2) 5 other teams from the following 2 provinces: ON, QC (provided all teams finish in the top 8 at their provincials), 3) 3 other teams from the following 4 provinces: NB, PE, NS, NL (provided all teams finish in the top 8 at their provincials), 4) The remaining spots are determined by the Host Committee in consultation with the DCC. 13.5 Divisional Play - The preferred size for a division is 32 teams - Minimum size for a division: 16 teams - Maximum size for a division: 47 teams - Seeding within the divisions will be the mandate of the DCC. 13.6 Provinces who were not represented in a specific age category at the previous year’s Open Championships will automatically be placed in the second division of that event. <b>Playing Rules</b> The Official Volleyball Canada 2003-2004 Indoor Rule Book shall govern play at the National Championships. <b>Official Ball</b> The Tachikara SV-5WI ball will be used for all match play. <b>Draw</b> > The draw will be completed one (1) week prior to the event, however the schedule will only be distributed at the coaches meeting. > Prelimnary format will consist of a round-robin. The number of register teams wil determine if it is a single or a double elimination. ><i> All teams will play 7 matchs with minimum one in Sunday.</i> <b>Warm-Up</b> A minimum of 15 minutes (5 on court, 5-5 for hitting) will be available for warm-up prior the start of each match.

Team Check-In
Team check-in will take place on Thursday between ­<b>3pm-8pm</b> at Sherbrooke University Sporting Center. At check-in, coaches will be asked to verify their team roster, provide the coaches’ NCCP proof, and pick-up player/coaches packages. Teams will not be permitted to begin play without having verified their roster. Head coaches must also present their NCCP passport or equivalent documentation at the meeting and prior to every match (to ensure they have met the minimum requirement of Technical Level 1). A $100 fee will be taken from the team performance bond to those who do not meet the requirement. It is the responsibility of the coach to produce the documentation throughout the event.

Coaches Meeting
There will be a <b>MANDATORY</b> coaches meeting on Thursday evening @ 9pm. A team representative must attend this meeting, as important information is shared with the coaches at this time.

Accommodation
The Club ENVOLLEY de Sherbrooke has arranged 2 options : 1- Teams can benefit special tournament rates at a number of local hotels. To book your rooms, please contact each hotel directly. Don't forget to state that you are booking for the 2004 Canadian East Open in order to receive the best possible rates! Please be aware that availability is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment! REMEMBER TO BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE HOTEL OF YOUR CHOICE AND ASK FOR THE CLUB ENVOLLEY RATE ! <a href="http://secure.isomni.com/iset7/attachments/tournaments/info/76/10/Pub_Hôtel__Canadien_.pdf"><b>Click here for list of hotels</b></a> 2- You can rent residences rooms on Sherbrooke University campus. The rate is fix at 15$/person/night (tx included). <a href="http://secure.isomni.com/iset7/vc/en/registration.aspx?TID=76"><B>Click here for Residence</b></a>

Transportation
Each team will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to, from and during the championship. However, each participant will receive a PASS that will allow him to use free of charge the bus system of Sherbrooke during the entire championship.

Referees & Minor Officials
<b>Referees</b> Volleyball Canada certified referees will be assigned to each match. Referee coordination will be done through consultation with the P/TA Officials Chair and the National Officials Chair. <b>Team Officiating Duties</b> Teams will be required to provide one linesperson for each of their own matches, which can be a athlete, coach, parent or spectator.

Practices
Eveyr teams can have the posssibility to pratice on Thursday. Pratices are available between 3:30pm-6:30pm. Each block are 45 minutes. Firts arrive, first serv ! <b>You can make a reservation by sendind a email to <u>[email protected]</u></b>

Services
<b>Medical</b> On each venues, you will find a secourist. At Sherbrooke University, you will have access to a physiotherapist. <b>Merchandise</b> A Volleyball Canada merchandise boutique will be on-site selling VC clothing and much more. <b>Tournament T-shirts</b> It will be possible to buy a T-shirts at the Boutique for the price of 20$. We are working on a way to give you the opportunity to place an order and buy your T-shirt at a the price of 15$ (coming soon). <b>Photographies</b> Each team will be asked to see our photograph to take their team picture. You will be able to buy it on site, if you want it. Also, you will be able to buy action picture from you in play. <b>Tourism Information</b> In you informations packages, you will receive activities choices that you can do during your stay. A variaty of choices that will meet your needs. For more informations visit <b><a href="http://www.tourismesherbrooke.com"> Tourisme Sherbrooke by clicking here </a></b>

Ceremonies/Social
<b>Opening Ceremonies</b> Their will be a ceremonies on Thursday May 13, 2004. <b>Social</b> Saturday May 15, all participants will be invite to diner. Mores details will folow. <b>Prizes & Awards</b> > Championship banners will be awarded to divisional champions in each category. > Medals for the top 3 teams of each Division. > Prizes will be given to gold, silver, bronze medallists in Division 1. > Prizes for the winners and finalists in each “Tier”.

Tournament Jury
The tournament jury is composed of a Volleyball Canada/Domestic Competition Committee (DCC) representative, Host Committee representative, and the Referee Supervisor.

Performance Bonds
The 400.00$ team performance bond remains the responsibility of each Provincial/Territorial Association. Ultimately, teams will be required to forward the bonds amount in the event of any infraction which affect: 1) VC Code of conduct violation, 2) accommodation/facility damaged, 3) uniform regulation, 4) coaches fail to meet coaching certification requirements and/or 5) if a team does not fulfill its competitive obligations to an event.

Feedback Needed
VC in partnership with the Host Organization, consistently seeks to provide better services to the participants. Share your comments and/or feedback with your Team Contact as he/she will be asked to complete an electronic evaluation following the event.