Dear Families of Hidden Valley Youth Sports,

If you have noticed a recent change at the HVYSA, it is because we've had a 90% turnover of all leadership positions since April 2022. From day one we went right to work to identify some perceived problem areas:

• How do we increase visibility and awareness of our rec sports opportunities?
• How do we create a culture where parents want to get involved?
• What is the HVYSA "brand" and how do we live it?

Watch this video to learn what is behind the new and improved HVYSA:

Our work is far from over, but here is a list of accomplishments we achieved in Year #1 of our rebuild since COVID:

Organizational

• Redefined our Core Values, Mission Statement, and Vision Statement Mission & Vision (hvysa.com)
• Digitized our organizational documents and bylaws
• Acquired our sales tax-exempt certificate saving thousands of dollars annually on new purchases.

Marketing

• Created new Instagram account and grew Facebook following Hidden Valley Youth Sports Association - Home | Facebook
• Designed new HVYSA logo distinguishable from the high school.
• Created a YouTube channel Hidden Valley Youth Sports Association - YouTube
• Updated our website aimed to be more approachable, responsive, and connected to the community.

Sports

• Returned Tackle Football for 10U and 12U in Fall ‘22
• Returned Girls Lacrosse for 14U and Boys Lacrosse for 6U, 8U, and 10U in Spring ‘23
• Hosted a six-week volleyball clinic run by Next Revolution Volleyball
• Hosted a lacrosse camp with Roanoke College Men’s Team
• Tried to revive youth wrestling but were unsuccessful.

Programming and Community events

• Hosted summer MOVE IT Clinics in 2022 and in 2023 with N2Athletex.
• Hosted the First Annual All County Youth Combine. Second is next week. SIGN UP (2023 SWVA High School Combine (hvysa.com)
• Hosted Spring fundraiser at Putt Putt Fun Center
• Hosted a High School Combine fundraiser with the NFL’s ZYBEK Sports in April
• Hosted Fall Sports Family Cookout at Oak Grove

Institutional

• Pressured the Roanoke County Parks to define and adopt a county-wide draft procedure that ensures they are now “fair and equitable” per the Community Use Manual.
• In 2023 will require all tackle coaches to take CDC training on concussion protocol.

Here are some ways that YOU can help:

• Sign up your kids to play! The registration for Falls Sports are now OPEN for Tackle Football, Flag Football, and Cheerleading.
• Sign up to coach! Don’t be shy, if you are short on experience, we can assist but you will not regret making memories and the impact you can have on our youth athletes.
• Shop our Store! A portion of every sale comes back to the HVYSA and ask me about 'Find Your Inner Titan' decals. Shop now. 
• Come to our meetings! We typically meet the first Sunday of every month and regular attendance is a pre-requisite to fill a board position. Board positions are two-year terms.
• Sponsor a team or event! We can discuss ways to help your company can get recognition for caring about the youth being active in sports.
• Sign up for Kroger Community Points! Every little bit helps this non-profit with the costs associated with new and refurbishing equipment and our very large storage units. Kroger Community Rewards - Kroger
• Follow on Social Media and Share our Posts! We post as many as 1-3 times weekly on Facebook and Instagram with important announcements and opportunities to stay active in sports, even if outside of HVYSA.
• Stay at Hidden Valley Schools! The way the school district lines are currently drawn is deficient and shrinking our high school population and there are no current plans to correct course. Cave Spring schools are nearing maximum capacity. If your child wants to stay with his or her friends or teammates attending HV middle or high school, the transfer process for in-county residents is easy, free, and can be found here: Parents & Students / Student Transfers & Non-Residents (rcps.us)

Finally, please stay tuned for a future community event we are planning that will be a panel discussion from area coaches and athletic directors to help parents understand the requirements for children aspiring to play at the college level. We are seeing parents already making decisions NOW at the Rec level trying to give their child the best shot at playing in college. This may include focusing only on one sport, playing travel sports or AAU, transferring schools, playing all year round. We want to learn as much as you do by creating a forum to have a public discussion, time and location TBD.

We appreciate the support of all our HVYSA families. Many of us are new and constantly learning the “institutional knowledge” of running a non-profit arm of Roanoke County’s Parks and Recreation. Don’t hesitate to email us at [email protected] if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
John Dorlini
HVYSA President