Parent Resources
Volleyball Equipment and Nutrition for Kids
What your child needs in the bag, and what to eat and drink on practice and tournament days.
Equipment
Volleyball equipment checklist for kids
Volleyball is an inexpensive sport to start. For a first program, your child only needs the first three items.
Must have
- Indoor court shoes with non-marking soles, worn only inside
- Volleyball knee pads
- Water bottle with your child's name
Good to have
- Athletic shorts and a T-shirt (no jewellery)
- Hair ties; nails kept short
- A ball for home practice: a light youth ball for under 12
Club and tournaments
- Team uniform (ordered after tryouts)
- Ankle braces if a physiotherapist recommends them
- Warm layer, snacks, phone charger
Fuel and water
Nutrition and hydration for young volleyball players
Growing athletes need regular meals, real food and plenty of water. No supplements are needed for youth volleyball.
Before practice
A balanced meal 2–3 hours before, or a small snack (fruit, yogurt, a granola bar) about an hour before.
During
Water at every break. Bring a full bottle and refill it. Thirst and headaches are early signs to drink more.
After
A snack or meal with protein and carbohydrates within about an hour helps recovery: milk, a sandwich, eggs, rice or pasta.
Tournament-day food plan
- Breakfast before leaving: oatmeal, eggs, toast, fruit.
- Between matches: small, familiar snacks every 1–2 hours (bananas, oranges, crackers, sandwiches, trail mix if allowed by the venue's nut rules).
- Avoid trying new foods on tournament day and skip greasy fast food between matches.
- No energy drinks. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises that children and teens should not drink them. Water is the main drink; sports drinks only for long, hot days.
Ready to find the right program?
Search programs in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Fraser Valley and Montréal, or ask a coach.