Well folks, December finds us with much to report.

Recent Tournament Results:

On November 30th,  StrikeForce Volleyball Club had two teams represent us in the "Vertically Challenged" Tournament at Seattle U. This tournament was open to men under 6' and women of any height.

SF Green and SF Silver (with an extra player or two) entered a combination team as did SF Gold and SF Black. The Club faired well by placing 2nd in the consolation bracket and winning the upper bracket. Way to go StrikeForce!

Then on December 7th, SF Red and SF Pink played in women's tournaments in Gig Harbor. SF Red placed 2nd in their division with a 3rd-game, 20-25 decision in the finals. Good work Red!

The newest team to the Club, SF Pink, took second the "A" tournament, losing by 2 points in the finals. Excellent effort. Let's get 'em next time!

Ready, Set, Looking:

The process of selecting the new "SF Blue" team is finally concluded. Wow! What a deal that turned out to be. Last year's Blue team voted to hold an open tryout format for selecting this year's players. After 2 tryout dates, a TON of evaluation categories and four hours of deliberation by the evaluators, a list was made of player's to be asked.

For various reasons, several players turned down the offer to play with Blue. But eventually, the team for this year was and is, set to go.

If you are still looking for a team, please consider the following options:

1. Forming a new team.
2. SF Red is seeking a Middle Hitter.
3. SF Green is seeking a Middle Hitter, an Outside Hitter and a Defensive Specialist.
4. SF Titanium (Nikki Ferguson) is seeking a Setter, A Middle Hitter, an Outside Hitter and a Setter.

Until the "player info forms" are completed and turned back in to the SFVBC office, we cannot give anyone's information out. Player's, coaches, and captains must go through the office for getting and receiving information. Sorry about that. We anticipate the info forms will be back to us this week and we can disseminate player info if a player so chose.

A special note about the Blue tryout format from Bill Foote ~ I realize that this type of process for picking a team can cause hurt feelings sometimes. This is not our intent. We in the SFVBC office are here to assist teams with their volleyball wishes so long as it does not reflect poorly on the Club as a whole.

We are, as a Club, a competitive volleyball organization. That in mind, I feel that the tryout format is perfectly acceptable. I know that a few players were upset by the selection or by "not being selected". This is understandable, but there is still a place to play within the StrikeForce Volleyball Club. I'd love to help anyone who wishes, to find the best option for him or her. Please just ask me.

StrikeForce VB Club is officially a "Non-Profit Organization"

We have filed in Washington State and will be filing with the I.R.S. within 60 days. Under our current filing [501(c)7] we are able to accept sponsorships and donations up to 35% of our total income. This status though, does NOT give the donors any tax break.

We are currently debating the pros and cons of filing for  501(c)3 status. That is a long and demanding process, but would allow us to receive more in donations and offer tax breaks to our donors. The drawbacks are a very strenuous application process and we would need to show significant progress immediately toward our "teaching" side of the Club.

Very soon, we'll post a link to a page that lists the specific ways this filing affects members and the Club as a whole.

StrikeForce Team Recaps (Alphabetically):

Listed below is info and the current (until the office is notified otherwise) contact. Look to the website soon for specific contact info such as email addresses and phone numbers for team contacts.

That's it for now folks. Let's make this another fantastic season!