Wisconsin Volleyball Academy, Inc. Announces Merger
with Oshkosh Nightmares Volleyball Club
Appleton, WI, Sept. 25, 2008 - On Thursday, September 25 the Wisconsin Volleyball Academy, Inc. (WVA) announced it would be merging with the Oshkosh Nightmares Volleyball Club. The two clubs, which serve athletes in the sport of volleyball throughout the state of Wisconsin, are combining to create efficiencies in management and training for its members.
"The Academy is extremely excited to bring the Nightmares club into our corporation," stated B.J. Bryant, President and Director of the WVA. "Jon [Ellmann] has done a great job with his program and has built a coaching staff that will fit perfectly with our training philosophies."
The Nightmares club was started by Jon Ellmann in 2004 primarily to serve athletes in the Oshkosh area and, specifically, Lourdes High School. WVA was also founded in 2004 under the name Fox Valley Volleyball Academy as an additional volleyball outlet for Kimberly and Neenah area youth. "Both clubs began from local schools and have grown to have members all over the state," said Ellmann. "We have similar histories and are looking to attain new levels of success as we move forward together."
Both Bryant and Ellmann expressed optimism over the additional business organization the merger will provide. "Trying to run a club of this size with a single director can be very daunting," Bryant said. "Having Jon as a co-director will certainly allow for the club to provide a level of service to our members that would otherwise not be possible."
Ellmann sighted competition as another reason for the merger. "Club volleyball has become increasingly competitive in our area. In order for our club to become more relevant on a regional and national level we felt this move would be best for our members. We want to be the best club volleyball option for kids in northeast Wisconsin and this merger puts us a step closer to accomplishing this."
Another stated component of the new club would be a focus on sport-specific physical training and conditioning for their club members. "This year our athletes will have the benefit of working with some cutting-edge volleyball training aides and conditioning techniques," Bryant stated. The club has hired Gregg Bolwerk of the SoloSpike Corporation to serve as a board member, coach, and Director of Training. Bolwerk brings with him over six years of experience as a sport-specific conditioning expert. "Gregg gives us a tangible advantage in the way we will train our members. His experience will help our club maximize the abilities and skills of our athletes," said Bryant.
In 2008 WVA was comprised of 12 girls teams ranging in ages from 12 to 18. The Nightmares fielded 16 teams covering both girls and boys in the area. Moving forward, the girls teams will operate under the title of Wisconsin Volleyball Academy, while the boys will run under the name WVA Nightmares. The club is currently anticipating forming 14 girls teams and 8 boys teams (ages 12-18) for the 2008-2009 season. There are also plans for developmental programs that would provide training opportunities for those under 12 years of age. At these projections the club would serve over 220 members in northeast Wisconsin.
Informational meetings for parents and prospective club members are set for Monday, October 13 at 7:00pm in the Neenah High School cafeteria and Monday, October 20 at 7:00pm at Oshkosh Lourdes High School.
For more information please visit our new website at www.wivolleyballacademy.com.
Founded in 2004, the Nightmares Volleyball Club is dedicated to providing a safe, competitive environment where our participants grow as both athletes and individuals. Our goal is to give our players a solid understanding of the game of volleyball enabling them to compete at their highest possible level. The WIAA season is extrememly short and in order for an athlete to reach his/her full potential as a high school or collegiate volleyball player, club ball is becoming an essential.
Our girls program has come a long way since founded. With talented athletes filtering in from all over the Fox Valley each season surpasses the last with higher numbers of participation and more top finishes in competition.
Our boys program quickly established itself as the primary boys club for the entire Fox Valley. Our B18's annualy boasts a near undefeated tournament record never finishing below second in the Boys Fest B18s Club Division. With the recent addition of a developemental program we are dedicated to keeping this young club competing at the highest level possible.
Our coaching staff is currently made up of men and woman who have or are currently playing collegiate volleyball and either assist or head up already established high school and/or college volleyball programs. Our coaches are eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm of the game of volleyball!
Check out our new alumni page to see what past Nightmares have been up to!
