Nationals 2025 Field Guide!

The 2025 Volleyball Canada Youth Nationals are right around the corner! That’s why for this week, the team here at vbs apparel wanted to give their best pieces of advice to the newbies attending the competition in 2025. We know it can be daunting, not knowing what to expect. It can be equally exciting and nerve-wracking. Therefore, we’ve combined our best pieces of advice to act as your field guide for this event.

(Psst: Did you miss the 2025 Nationals Merch Presale? Not to worry! We will be selling Nationals merchandise in Fredericton, Ottawa, Winnipeg and throughout all the Edmonton tournaments!)

The first tip we will give you is to buy your merchandise on the practice day. The practice day is the best time to organise everything before you play. On the tournament days, you’ll want to focus on your games, not be distracted by wanting to get your hands on a new flash hoodie. Make sure you get to the merchandise booth early; we do our best to keep the lines moving but no one wants to get stuck waiting at the back of a long line.

For players attending the Edmonton tournaments at the Edmonton Expo Centre, make sure you take note of the information booth. This booth will have people who can help you with inquiries and finding your way around. Any questions you might have about the tournament, they can answer for you. This is a great resource, so make sure you utilise it. The centre is bigger than you probably expect, so getting lost or disorientated can be quite common!

The days here at Nationals are lengthy. Bringing a portable charger for your phone and headphones is essential. It won’t be easy to find a wall outlet to charge your phone so a portable charger can be a lifesaver. As for your headphones, what would you do without a bit of music to pump you up before that final game? On that note, remember to bring lots of snacks and pack a Gatorade– or several. This tournament will be taxing, staying hydrated and fed is important. You want to make sure you are ready to play your best.

Between games, go outside and explore other courts. It’s an awesome opportunity to be at Nationals, make sure you embrace it. You might even get a glimpse of the opposition playing. While we’re talking about embracing the Nationals spirit, make sure you take advantage of every opportunity for fun! Volleyball Canada sure will be, they’ve created theme days for each tournament, for players to dress up and snap a lot of pictures! There is a different theme at every tournament. Our tip for this is simply to do your research and have your costume prepared. We heard something about Pajamas, Tie Dye, Sport Jersey Day, and Neon / 80s.

Our last tip is to have fun! Maybe it’s a bit cheesy, but it’s true. You play your best when you enjoy yourself. This is an exceptional chance to make memories and achieve great things with your teammates. Lastly, don’t forget to show appreciation for your coaches and parent helpers. They give up their time to support and help you succeed. The team here at vbs apparel wishes you luck, and we hope you have a wonderful tournament.