How to Get Recruited for College Volleyball in Canada, without the help of an agency – The DIY version
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Why Canadian Volleyball Recruiting Can Be Done by Yourself
Many athletes and families assume that recruiting can only be successful if they hire a specialized agency. While recruiting services do exist, the truth is that Canadian volleyball athletes can manage the process themselves. With the right tools, effort, and guidance, DIY recruiting can be just as effective.
If you are not sure if you want to work with an agency or go through the process by yourself, you can read this article, DIY or Recruiting Agency, which details the pros and cons.
Benefits of Handling Your Own Recruiting Process
When you take control of your own recruiting journey, you learn valuable life skills that extend beyond volleyball:
- Direct relationships with coaches: Instead of going through a third party, you build a personal connection with the people who may one day coach you.
- More control over your story: You decide how to showcase your strengths, achievements, and academic goals in emails and conversations.
- Stronger ownership of the outcome: Every step, from building a highlight reel to sending updates, becomes part of your growth as an athlete.
Cost Savings Compared to Agencies
Recruiting agencies often charge thousands of dollars for their services. These packages usually include things like profile hosting, outreach support, and consulting. But with volleyball recruiting websites like Volleyball Athletes, you can create your own profile at a fraction of the cost and manage outreach yourself. The money saved can be better invested in:
- Extra training and skill development
- Attending more tournaments or showcases
- Academic tutoring or test prep if needed
By going DIY, you avoid expenses while still having access to the same opportunities. But you exchange the savings with putting more energy and resources into the process, with a limited exposure (an agency can ‘talk’ to all the schools and find opportunities you did not think about)
Building Independence and Communication Skills
DIY recruiting is more than a path to joining a volleyball program — it’s a training ground for life. You’ll learn how to:
- Write professional emails that make a good impression
- Follow up respectfully and stay organized with communication
- Present yourself with confidence online and in person
These skills are crucial not only for recruiting but also for university life, internships, and future careers. Coaches often appreciate athletes who can advocate for themselves, stay consistent, and take initiative.
Now, let’s get into ‘How to’ do it.
Step 1: Create a List of Schools. Research Canadian Universities/Colleges With Volleyball Programs
The first step is to decide where you want to study and play. Make a list of universities and colleges in Canada that have volleyball programs.
- Research their academic programs to ensure they match your career goals.
- Check team performance, league level (U SPORTS Conferences and Members list, CCAA Conferences and Members), and roster needs.
- Consider location, campus size, tuition costs, and scholarship availability.
This list will be the foundation of your recruiting journey.
Step 2: Establish Criteria for Decision-Making
Not all schools will be the right fit for you. Separate your criteria into must-have and good-to-have factors. Think about what is important for you to make the post-secondary years a great experience.
Must-have examples:
- Preferred academic program
- Competitive level that matches your skill set
- Location you can realistically move to
Good-to-have examples:
- Athletic scholarships or financial support
- Strong facilities and athletic support staff
- A winning or competitive program
Having clear priorities makes the decision easier once you start receiving interest.
Here is a very useful article about how to approach the school selection process.
Step 3: Find Coaches and Contact Information
Almost every university or college team in Canada has a dedicated athletics website. Visit the volleyball team’s page to:
- Identify the head coach and assistant coaches
- Collect their email addresses and phone numbers. Build a contact spreadsheet to track your progress
- Review recent news, rosters, and announcements
Keep this information in a spreadsheet alongside your school list so you can stay organized.
Step 4: Build a Strong Recruiting Profile Page
Your recruiting profile is your digital resume as a volleyball athlete. Coaches should be able to find all the key details about you in one place and find them easily and fast.
Your page should include:
- Full name, graduation year, position, height, reach, and physical stats
- Academic information: GPA, major interest
- Highlight videos and full game footage
- Athletic achievements, awards, and club team info
- Upcoming tournament schedule
Tip: Volleyball Recruiting Websites like Volleyball Athletes allow you to create a searchable profile that coaches can access easily. Check an example of a volleyball profile page here.
The Volleyball Athletes pages were designed with the needs of a recruiting coach in mind.
Step 5: Write Professional emails to Volleyball Coaches
Introduce yourself to coaches with a personalized email. Include:
- Who you are and what position you play
- Why are you interested in their program and school
- A link to your Volleyball Athletes recruiting profile page
- Highlight videos or YouTube links
- Your upcoming tournament schedule
Here are a few examples of Subject Lines, highlighting important information or qualities:
- Mary Jane 2027 setter, All Canadian 2025, 16U National Champion
- Mark Doe 2028 6’5” outside hitter
Keep your message simple, concise and professional. Coaches receive many emails. Don’t ask them to spend 10 minutes reading your email.
Check more best practices for writing recruiting emails here.
Top Mistakes to Avoid When Contacting Coaches in Canada
Sending Generic Emails
- Copy-paste messages with no mention of the school name or program show a lack of effort.
- Coaches want to know why their program is the right fit for you.
Forgetting to Include Position and Graduation Year
- A coach shouldn’t have to dig through your email to know if you’re a 2026 Setter or 2027 Outside Hitter.
- Always put your position, height, grad year in the subject line and first paragraph.
Not Adding a Recruiting Profile Link
- Without a link to your Volleyball Athletes recruiting profile (or similar page), coaches have no quick way to see your stats, academic info, and videos.
- Don’t attach huge files — always link.
Writing Long, Overwhelming Emails
- Coaches are busy; they scan.
- Keep messages short, clear, and professional — then attach or link to more details.
oor or Unprofessional Email Addresses
- Sending from volleyballqueen123@… looks unprofessional.
- Use a simple format: firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
Not Proofreading
- Spelling mistakes, wrong coach names, or confusing sentences make a bad first impression.
- Always double-check grammar and school names before sending.
- Do not be too casual or informal.
Contacting Too Late in the Process
- Waiting until Grade 12 to start emailing drastically reduces opportunities
- Start early (Grade 10–11) to build relationships and stay on the radar.
Being Pushy or Impatient
- Coaches appreciate persistence but not daily emails asking, “Did you watch my video?”
- Send updates when you have something new — a highlight reel, tournament schedule, or academic achievement.
Ignoring Academic Information
In Canada, academics are just as important as athletic ability.
Forgetting to Follow Up
- One email is not enough.
- If you don’t follow up with updates, coaches may forget about you — consistency matters.
Disregard Social Media
Before contacting coaches, review your social media to ensure your online presence is professional and doesn’t contain anything that could jeopardize your integrity.
These mistakes are common but easy to avoid with preparation. Coaches notice athletes who are professional, respectful, and organized in their communication.
Maximizing Your Volleyball Athletes Recruiting Profile
Your Volleyball Athletes profile can be your most powerful recruiting tool—if you use it correctly.
- Always include your profile URL in every email to coaches.
- Add the link to your Instagram bio and any volleyball-related posts.
- Include the URL in the description of every highlight video you upload to YouTube.
- Keep your page updated with stats, schedules, and new achievements.
- Share it with teammates, friends, and family to increase visibility.
The easier it is for a coach to find your information, the more chances you have to stand out.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get recruited for volleyball in Canada when DIY takes time and discipline, but it’s absolutely achievable. By researching schools, contacting coaches, maintaining a professional online profile, and providing regular updates, you’ll put yourself in a strong position to be noticed.
Remember, coaches are always looking for athletes who are not only talented but also organized, proactive, and passionate about both their sport and academics.
