University of Hawaii men’s volleyball coach Charlie Wade hopes to turn an idea into a junior achievement.
Wade and UH assistant coach Milan Zarkovic are forming a junior volleyball club for boys. The club, which expects to field teams through high school seniors, will be named A‘o A Koa, which roughly translates to "learn to be a Warrior."
Wade said the idea spawned from parents requesting more volleyball options for their sons. Wade said there is enough room for another club. Ka Ulukoa and Ku‘ikahi are the main boys volleyball clubs in Hawaii.
"I liken it to the reason all the car dealerships are on the same street," Wade said. "It helps the businesses when people are shopping for cars. There are more options for kids to play volleyball. Hopefully, it grows the sport."
Wade said his club’s mission is to develop youth volleyball in the state. It also helps Wade, Zarkovic and UH associate head coach Jeff Hall further deepen ties with Hawaii’s volleyball community. That also might help in their recruiting for UH.
"I’m not naive enough to think you’re going to get all the players," Wade said. "That’s part of coaching club. You’re helping the kids grow. If some kid’s dream school is Brand X University, I have no problem with that. That happens all the time."
In the format, Wade will serve as the club’s executive director. Zarkovic, who has successfully coached national teams in Europe, will be the head coach. Shelton Tang will be an officer.
Wade said the club is separate from UH athletics, and that the club’s schedule will not conflict with his coaching duties with the Warriors. Club season runs from September through December, and resumes after the NCAA volleyball season in May.
Wade and Zarkovic will receive slight fees through membership dues and sponsorships, but no money from UH.
"We’re certainly not doing it for the money," Wade said.
Wade added he and Zarkovic have a "proven track record of coaching success and developing talent in this country and internationally that we can provide. We have the perspective of what it takes to compete at (higher) levels, aside from just going into practice gyms and getting better. (We can help) in what it takes academically, mentally and emotionally, as well as the technical skills and the tactical awareness. We do feel we can provide an option that players previously haven’t had in this market."
Wade helped start a girls junior program in Hawaii when he was the Rainbow Wahine’s associate head coach. Although he will have an administrative role in the new club, Wade said: "coaching club as a college coach, in both the men’s and women’s sides, is very common."
