Franklin Volleyball Club
For more information about the Fall 2022 Mini-Club Program, please contact Cathy Sanford at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Providing Year-Round Girls Volleyball Opportunities 
Training Program: January - August
Our training program offers clinics to 5th - 8th graders of all levels to learn the sport or improve their game through drills and game play. All sessions cover skills, drills and game play in a fun and enjoyable learning environment. We focus on fine-tuning the skills of beginners while challenging intermediate and advanced players. All clinics provide instruction on serving, passing, setting and hitting at age - appropriate levels.
For more information about the Volleyball Training program, please contact Cathy Sanford at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Mini-Club Program: September - November
The Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club program offers 5th - 8th graders the opportunity to build their volleyball skills on competitive teams during the fall season.
The FVC Mini-Club program was launched in the fall of 2019 with a U14 team of 7 players. The team earned two 1st place and one 2nd place finish in Mini-Club tournaments, and concluded their season at the AAU Winter Kickoff Classic, placing 3rd out of 10 teams at the U15 level. All of our team members continued to play during the 2020 club season; of the six players matriculating into Franklin High School, 2 made the Varsity team, 3 made the Junior Varsity (JV) team, and 1 made the Freshman team as 9th graders.
In the fall of 2020 we formed two teams (24 players) and, limited by COVID restrictions, held internal scrimmages and tournaments. Over 85% of our players played on a club team during the 2021 club season, with over half of our athletes playing up a level and/or on elite club teams. Eight players tried out for the Franklin High School team in 2021; 6 made the freshman team and 2 made the JV team.
During the fall of 2021 we supported two competition teams, a practice team, and a beginner clinic. In total, the Mini-Club program supported thirty-seven players -- seventeen 8th graders, eight 7th graders, nine 6th graders, and three 5th graders. Twenty-three players went on to make 2022 club teams at SMASH (7), Lockdown (6), CMass (4), Mass Premier (3), Metrowest (2) and Envy (1).
Register for Tryouts for the Fall 2022 Mini-Club Team
For the fall of 2022, we anticipate recruiting 2 - 3 competitive teams and 1 - 2 practice teams. Tryouts are tentatively scheduled for 75 minute sessions between 5 - 9pm on Monday, August 29, Wednesday, August 31, and Thursday, September 1. The ten-week season runs from Wednesday, September 14 to November 19.
Each competition team includes 8 - 9 players and practices twice a week (3hrs total). Players receive a jersey and / or practice shirts and compete in approximately 4 tournaments during the season. The cost is TBD.
Each practice team includes 10 - 12 players and practices once a week for 90 minutes. Players receive a practice shirt and play in approximately 2 tournaments during the season. The cost is TBD.
For more information about the Fall 2022 Mini-Club Program, please contact Cathy Sanford at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Franklin Volleyball Club Staff 
- Cathy Sanford, Club Director and Coach
Co-founder of Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club AAU
Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club & Training Coach, 2019-2022
Mass Premier Middle School League Coach, 2015-2019
Franklin Recreation Volleyball Coach, 2018-2020 - Eric Bonnet-Eymard, Coach
Co-founder of Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club AAU
Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club & Training Coach, 2019-2022
Mass Premier Volleyball Club, USAV Club Assistant Coach U15 & U16
Mass Premier Middle School League Coach, 2015-2019
Franklin Recreation Volleyball Coach, 2018-2020
Played competitively for 23+ years in various leagues throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island USAV Impact & SafeSport Certified - Megan Woodacre
Co-founder of Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club AAU
Franklin Volleyball Club Mini-Club & Training Coach, 2019-2022
Mass Premier Middle School League Coach, 2019
Franklin Recreation Volleyball Coach, 2012-2018
Emerson College Assistant Coach, 2012
Western New England University Assistant Coach, 2011
Collegiate Volleyball Player at Colby-Sawyer College 2006-2010
Coaching Philosophy
As the founding coaching team of the Franklin Mini-Club program, we hope to meet the growing demand for competitive volleyball opportunities at the middle school level. Few sports require as much teamwork and communication as volleyball. We seek to build skills, self-esteem, confidence, and a true sense of team within a coaching environment that values effort, persistence, and a positive attitude. We continuously strive to balance skill work, game play, and the development of volleyball IQ in our young athletes. Above all, we seek to build a positive atmosphere of trust and respect that supports learning and the development of lasting friendships.
Testimonials
“This program is the perfect on-ramp for new volleyball players. The coaches’ passion for the sport runs deep and is a big reason why volleyball is growing so quickly in Franklin right now. We loved this program and will definitely be back next season.”
“The Saturday tournament with high school players was really fun and we hope it’ll be back next season.”
"The FVC program is excellent! The coaches are amazing and the time and effort they put into the program really shows. This program is the reason my daughter loves to play volleyball!"
"Cathy was excellent not only in terms of coaching but also in providing guidance on which Club leagues my daughter should try out for. We had never done club before, so this type of info was key."
“The practices were fun—which I think is really important to mention since this is what will often keep a child interested in coming back.”
“The coaches do a great job providing a fun experience for the girls while also developing their volleyball skills. My daughter really enjoyed it. Everything was well organized and the communication was always prompt and clear. We are lucky to have such a great program right here in Franklin!”
“The South County tournament was so much fun! My daughter really improved her skill set and gained a lot of new friendships and confidence. Franklin Volleyball Club is such a great program!”
“The coaches are amazing. My daughter learned so much this past fall and her game improved tremendously.”
“Franklin is so fortunate to have Eric, Cathy and Megan create the Franklin Mini-Club program. The coaching team is top-notch. They have the ability to identify each girl's strengths and weaknesses and then formulate a plan to make them stronger and better. Running drills is one thing, but fine-tuning skills is a totally different level of coaching.” “Mini-Club not only prepared my daughter for club tryouts this year, but also provided her a competitive advantage as she competed in tournaments during the Fall.”
“Playing for the Franklin Elite Mini-Club was a phenomenal experience for my daughters. The coaching they received from Eric, Cathy, and Megan was always positive and informative -- combining high-impact, individualized instruction with their clear passion for the game. I only wish my girls had the opportunity to play again next year.”
