The Academy Volleyball Club Inc

What The Academy Volleyball Club Inc does

The Academy Volleyball Club Inc is a privately held youth volleyball club organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company operates competitive club volleyball teams for boys and girls ages 10-18 across four Indiana locations (Indianapolis, Westfield, Lafayette, and Plymouth), fielding approximately 160 teams and serving 10,000+ lifetime athletes. Its core offering is structured competitive club volleyball across four tiers (Open, Elite, Regional, and Metro), supplemented by a tiered Youth Academy developmental program (Little Spikers through Advanced Spikers) for Pre-K through 8th grade, and adjunct services including spring training, summer camps, private lessons, tournament hosting, college recruiting coordination, and on-site retail (ProShop).

The company generates revenue through a diversified set of streams: seasonal club membership dues (a recurring subscription model), tournament and event entry fees ranging from $50 to $825 per team, training programs priced at $130-$270 per session, private lessons at $40-$60 per hour, ProShop retail sales sponsored by Adidas and other brands, fundraising programs (pizza/butter braid sales, the annual Shield Scramble golf event), and spectator ticket sales. Its underlying technology stack is conventional third-party infrastructure: PlayerFirst for registration and account management across 150+ youth sport organizations, Advanced Event Systems (AES) for tournament scheduling, SportsRecruits for athlete recruiting profiles, Stripe for payment processing, and BeTheBeast for livestreaming. The company operates a 70,000+ square foot dedicated volleyball facility with 11-16 courts at its Indianapolis headquarters, and partners with venues including the Indiana Convention Center, Kentucky Expo Center, Grand Park Event Center, and Farmers Bank Fieldhouse for tournament hosting.

The Academy Volleyball Club is owned by 3 Step Sports LLC, a strategic parent company that operates the brand and related properties. Go-to-market is event-driven and direct-to-consumer: tryouts are the primary acquisition channel (held in summer for boys, various periods for girls at a $105 tryout fee), with website registration, social media (Facebook, Instagram, X), and tournament presence supporting awareness. Customer segments include youth athletes, their parents and families, and high school volleyball programs participating in summer leagues and showcase tournaments. The organization is a Junior Volleyball Association (JVA) Member Club and operates Academy Marketplace partnerships with MaxU, Pro X Sports Performance, and Onrise for complementary athlete development services.

Name

The Academy Volleyball Club Inc

Legal name

The Academy Volleyball

Website

https://theacademyvolleyball.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Academy Volleyball Club is a private, Indianapolis-based youth volleyball organization operating four Indiana locations, 160 competitive teams for athletes ages 10-18, plus developmental Youth Academy programs, camps, tournaments, and college recruiting services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Volleyball Training Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKACAF

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

SECONDARYMPAKAJAB

Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Camps, Academies & Training Centers

SECONDARYMPAGAMAF

Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Live Sports Events

Keywords

• Youth volleyball training
• Club volleyball teams
• Volleyball skills camps
• College recruiting support
• Volleyball tournament events

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Club Membership Dues: Seasonal club fees for boys and girls volleyball teams at various competitive levels (Open, Elite, Regional, Metro). Tryout fee of $105 required for team placement.
2. Tournament and Event Fees: Entry fees for tournaments, leagues, and events ranging from $50 per team to $825 for 3-day invitationals. Spectator tickets also sold.
3. Training Programs: Revenue from summer camps, skills academies, private lessons ($40-$60/hour), spring training, youth academy programs, and cadet programs
4. Fundraising Programs: Pizza and butter braid fundraisers that families can participate in to offset club fees
5. ProShop Sales: On-site retail sales of volleyball equipment, apparel, and gear sponsored by Adidas, Ultra Ankle, and Distinct Images
6. Golf Event Sponsorships: Shield Scramble golf outing with foursome registrations and sponsorship packages to raise funds for scholarship program

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Academy Volleyball Club delivers year-round competitive club volleyball teams for boys and girls ages 10–18 (Open, Elite, Regional, and Metro tiers), tiered youth development programs (Little Spikers through Advanced Spikers), seasonal training (Spring Training, Summer Camps, Cadets), private lessons, tournament hosting, and college recruiting services. Operations span four Indiana locations anchored by a 70,000+ sq ft Indianapolis facility with 11–16 volleyball courts and an on-site ProShop.

Product overview

The Academy Volleyball Club operates as a comprehensive volleyball programming organization offering club teams, developmental academies, camps, tournaments, and recruiting services. The core offering consists of competitive club volleyball teams (girls and boys ages 10-18) at Open, Elite, Regional, and Metro levels, supplemented by Youth Academy tiered programs (Little Spikers through Advanced Spikers) for younger players. Training programs include Spring Training, Summer Camps, Cadets, and Private Lessons. The organization hosts major tournament events including the High School Summer League, High School Summer Showdown, Boys Winter Invitational, and numerous Junior Events throughout the year. Additional services include college recruiting coordination, a ProShop, fundraising programs, and Academy Marketplace partner integrations for athlete development. The facility at 6635 E 30th Street in Indianapolis spans 100,000 square feet with 16 courts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Academy: Year-round program for players starting in volleyball with tiers: Little Spikers, Junior Spikers, Select Spikers, and Advanced Spikers.
• Skills Academies
• Spring Training
• Cadets
• Summer Camps

Products and services

• Club Volleyball Teams (Girls & Boys) Year-round competitive club volleyball teams for girls and boys ages 10–18 at Open (national), Elite (condensed Open without summer commitment), Regional, and Metro (non-travel local) competitive tiers. Teams compete in regional and national tournaments with college recruiting support.
• Youth Academy Year-round developmental program for boys and girls from Pre-K through 8th grade, structured into four tiers (Little Spikers, Junior Spikers, Select Spikers, Advanced Spikers) using the Academy Foundations Curriculum to teach volleyball fundamentals.
• Spring Training Six-week training programs for boys and girls offering twice-weekly sessions focused on building fundamentals and skill development using the Academy Foundations Curriculum.
• Summer Camps Summer programs including Skills Academies, Competitive Skills Academies, position-focused training (Serve & Serve Receive, Ball Control, Setting, Hitting), Tryout Boot Camps, and Youth Academy sessions for athletes at every level.
• Private Lessons Private and small group volleyball lessons with individual coaching. Rates range from $40–$60 per hour, pairing athletes with coaches based on desired skill development.
• Cadets Program Program focusing on volleyball fundamentals in individual, small group, and team settings with scrimmages every third week and high-repetition training.
• Tournament Events Organized tournament programming including Junior Events, High School Summer Showdown, High School Summer League, and the Boys Winter Invitational held at various venues including the Indianapolis facility and the Kentucky Expo Center.
• High School Summer League Thursday night high school volleyball league in June/July with Varsity, JV, and Freshman divisions. Teams play 2 matches per night at The Academy facility.
• High School Summer Showdown Single-day high school tournament held on a Saturday in July at The Academy facility. Guaranteed 4 matches with pool play and bracket format in Varsity and JV divisions.
• Boys Winter Invitational Three-day boys tournament held at Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, KY. Entry fees: $825 for 3-day and $525 for 2-day participation.
• Shield Scramble Golf Event Annual golf fundraising event supporting The Academy Family Fund for player scholarships, capital improvements, and community outreach. Foursome registrations and sponsorship packages available; $500 per foursome including golf, cart, range balls, lunch, player gift, and swag bag.
• ProShop On-site retail shop at the Indianapolis facility selling volleyball equipment including shoes, spandex, kneepads, and passing bands. Sponsored by Adidas, Ultra Ankle, and Distinct Images.
• College Recruiting Services Recruiting coordination including guidance on choosing schools, individual consultations, communication tips, and SportsRecruits platform access. Available for 15s–18s Elite and 17s–18s Regional teams.
• Boys Elite ID Camp High school boys elite identification camp held in July for athletes wanting to play Open/Elite volleyball in the upcoming season. $124.50 registration fee.
• Fall Youth League Fall team league running August 17 – October 3, 2026 with three levels (Level 1 PreK–2nd, Level 1 3rd–5th, Level 2 4th–8th) for team competition and weekly practice.
• Boys Summer Camps Summer camp programming for boys with Skills Academies, position-specific training, and tryout preparation camps for athletes at all skill levels.
• Girls Summer Camps Summer camp programming for girls including Skills Academies, position-focused training, and Youth Academy sessions for pre-tryout preparation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ college commitments
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Team Travel SourcecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel booking partner for all tournament travel. Provides negotiated hotel rates for families attending out-of-town events. Essential for families competing in away tournaments requiring accommodations.
• PlayerFirst TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationSingle login registration platform serving 150+ youth sport organizations. Handles all club registrations, waivers, payments, and account management.
• Advanced Event Systems (AES)coreTechnology or IntegrationTournament management platform for scheduling, registration, and results. Used for all competitive events and tournament schedules.
• Junior Volleyball Association (JVA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association membership providing resources, networking, and credibility for club directors and coaches. JVA Challenge Series events hosted.
• Woodwind Golf ClubminorOthersGolf course venue hosting the annual Shield Scramble fundraiser event.
• Indiana Convention CenterminorOthersMajor venue partner for large tournaments like Indy Cup, hosting 10U-18U age divisions.
• Grand Park Event CenterminorOthersMulti-field complex partner in Westfield, IN used for tournament programming.
• Farmers Bank FieldhouseminorOthersVenue partner in Lebanon, IN for tournaments and training events.
• Kentucky Expo CenterminorOthersMajor Louisville venue hosting Boys Winter Invitational and UA Players Championship events.
• Midwest Boys Point SeriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Midwest clubs to host regional tournament series for boys volleyball. Academy hosts home events and partners on competition circuit.
• 3 Step Sports LLCcoreOthersParent company owning The Academy Volleyball Club and related properties. Copyright holder for website content.
• MaxUminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketplace partner offering athletic skillset-building programs for athlete development.
• Pro X Sports PerformanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketplace partner offering speed, agility, strength training, and injury prevention programs.
• OnriseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketplace partner providing mental health support services for athletes.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing integration for ACH payments and credit card transactions on PlayerFirst platform.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Triangle Volleyball Club: North Carolina-based youth volleyball club with tiered teams (national/regional), training programs, and tournament hosting. Comparable in product mix, age range, and competitive positioning to The Academy.
• A5 Volleyball Club: Top-tier Georgia-based junior volleyball club under the 3 Step Sports platform with national-level teams, recruiting support, and major tournament hosting. Directly comparable in scale, competitive tiering, and college-placement focus.
• VA Juniors Volleyball: Virginia-based junior volleyball organization offering club teams, camps, clinics, and recruiting services. Comparable as a regional multi-tier volleyball club competing in national tournaments and serving a similar age demographic.
• Northern Lights Volleyball Club: Minnesota-based competitive junior volleyball club with club teams, skills training, and tournament programming. Comparable as a regional multi-tier volleyball club serving athletes 10–18 with college recruiting focus.
• Skyline Volleyball Club: Chicago-area junior volleyball club with multi-tier teams, training, and tournament hosting serving the Midwest. Comparable in geography, product offering, and competitive tiering to The Academy.
• Mintonette Sports: Large Ohio-based youth volleyball club operating multiple teams across age and competitive tiers, also owned by 3 Step Sports LLC. Highly comparable in operating model, multi-tier team structure, and tournament-hosting business to The Academy.
• Asics Team Tulsa Volleyball: Oklahoma-based 3 Step Sports volleyball club with multi-tier teams, recruiting services, and tournament hosting. Operates a similar business model and tier structure to The Academy in a different region.

Others

• Junior Volleyball Association (JVA): National industry association for junior volleyball clubs of which The Academy is a member. Functions as an ecosystem enabler providing tools, networking, and the JVA Challenge Series tournament circuit, rather than as a direct competitor.

Regional players

• City Volleyball Club: Indianapolis-area youth volleyball club operating club teams and training programs in the same local market as The Academy. Directly competes for the same athlete pool in the Indianapolis metro.

Broad incumbents

• 3 Step Sports LLC: Strategic parent company and youth sports platform that owns and operates The Academy along with multiple other volleyball and youth sport clubs. Provides the infrastructure, technology, and shared services that The Academy leverages.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TheAcademyVB
• Facebookfacebook.com/theacademyvb
• Instagraminstagram.com/theacademyvb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-academy-volleyball-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Academy Volleyball Club Inc