Every successful volleyball club reaches a point where passion alone isn’t enough to sustain growth. Building a strong organization requires systems, strategy, and the willingness to learn from leaders who have already navigated many of the same challenges.
That’s exactly what the JVA Mentor Program is designed to provide.
By connecting Club Directors with experienced leaders from across the country, the program creates opportunities to exchange ideas, solve challenges, and build stronger clubs. For Ramona Cox, Club Director of Fair Play Volleyball Club in Southfield, Michigan, that opportunity came through a mentorship with Chad Rutkowski, General Manager and Director of Boys Volleyball at Premier Academy in Ohio.
Since founding Fair Play Volleyball Club in 2021, Ramona has grown the organization to eight teams while remaining committed to providing high-quality volleyball opportunities that are accessible to families throughout the Metro Detroit area. As the club expanded, she knew that sustaining that growth would require more than adding teams—it would require creating consistent systems that support coaches, athletes, and families alike.
After hearing Chad speak about fundraising and community engagement at the Align Volleyball Summit, Ramona knew he was someone she wanted to learn from.
“Working with Chad was extremely valuable because he offered practical, real-world insights from his experience at Premier Academy and helped me think through what could realistically work for Fair Play Volleyball Club,” Ramona said.
Rather than focusing on a single challenge, their conversations evolved into a comprehensive discussion about building a stronger organization. Together, they explored coach development, player pathways, fundraising, community partnerships, organizational systems, and long-term strategic planning.
One of Ramona’s biggest priorities was creating consistency across every aspect of the club. As Fair Play continues to grow, she wants every athlete and family to have the same positive experience, regardless of team or coach.
Through the mentorship, Chad shared practical strategies for establishing club-wide expectations, standardizing tryout evaluations, improving communication with families, and creating consistent standards for coaches, athletes, and parents. Their discussions also included roster construction, attendance policies, tournament expectations, and ways to reinforce the club’s culture throughout the season.
“A lot of our conversations centered on building clear systems,” Ramona said. “The experience gave me a clearer vision for what Fair Play can become and concrete steps to strengthen the club as we grow.”
Financial sustainability also became an important area of focus. Because Fair Play is committed to keeping club volleyball affordable, Chad encouraged Ramona to think beyond traditional fundraising and identify sustainable revenue streams that aligned with the club’s mission.
Together, they discussed sponsorship opportunities, community partnerships, camps and clinics, summer programming, practice shirt sponsorships, and team banners—all ideas designed to strengthen the club’s financial foundation while continuing to serve families.
For Chad, mentoring another Club Director is an opportunity to give back to the volleyball community.
“Ramona was exceptional to work with—someone whose passion shines through in everything she does,” Chad said. “Being a mentor allows me to share valuable lessons we’ve learned over the past 32 years and help other club leaders apply them more quickly and with confidence.”
While Chad shared decades of experience, he believes the most successful mentorships aren’t about providing all the answers—they’re about helping directors develop solutions that fit their own club’s vision and community.
That collaborative approach gave Ramona more than new ideas. It gave her a practical roadmap for growth and the confidence to continue building systems that will support Fair Play Volleyball Club for years to come.
The mentorship between Ramona and Chad illustrates the power of the JVA Mentor Program. By connecting experienced club leaders with directors looking to grow, the program helps clubs avoid common pitfalls, accelerate learning, and strengthen the junior volleyball community as a whole.
For Ramona, the experience reinforced that great clubs aren’t built overnight—they’re built through intentional leadership, continuous learning, and a willingness to seek guidance from those who have already walked the path.
As Fair Play Volleyball Club continues to grow, the lessons gained through the JVA Mentor Program will help shape a stronger culture, a more unified coaching staff, and an even better experience for every athlete and family who walks through its doors.
Learn more about the JVA Mentor Program.
