Small & Mighty League - FAQs

The SML is a social volleyball league run by Sparrows Volleyball that caters to different recreational levels. Whether you're a beginner or veteran, we welcome all. Our focus is on players' enjoyment and having a weekly place to hang out with team mates and getting some exercise. 

It works towards achieving our aim to connect people & communities through volleyball. 

Games are held at Camellia Indoor Sports Centre from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday nights. The exact schedule will be provided after registration. The SML Season 4 lasts about 10 weeks.

Teams will be allocated games to duty throughout the season. Teams must have a minimum of 2 players for duty. 

Teams with duty responsibilities will be required to provide:

• First referee x 1 (own whistle preferred)
• Scorekeeper x 1 (to keep track of score and to complete scoresheet)

After the match, duty team will need to check scoresheet is filled correctly with signatures from the captains and hand it to the organisers. 

To complete the scoresheet, duty team is also be asked to nominate 1 x Most Valuable Player (MVP) from the match to go towards votes in the end of season awards. At the end of the season, 1 MVP per division will receive a small gift at the end of season.

Duty teams are required to complete the following actions during warm up time. 

• Check with captains on the confirmed players.
• Determine which team is serving and receiving through a coin toss.
• Ensuring that warm up (ball warm up, spiking, serving) is conducted in a timely manner and games start on time.

The more the merrier, however SML's requirement is that teams must have at least 2 members ready for duty at the beginning of the game. 

If teams do not come to their scheduled duty, they will have to pay a fine of $65 AUD. If you have any questions or issues with the roster, please email us asap at sparrowsvolleyballclub@gmail.com.

Matching team jerseys/ uniforms are not compulsory. We do suggest you wear similar coloured tops to promote team morale and inclusion.

Players should wear comfortable athletic clothing and non-marking sports shoes. It’s also recommended to bring a water bottle and any personal protective gear you may need, such as knee pads. 

Only game balls (not warm up balls) will be provided.

During Mixed Divisions games, teams must at least 1 female player as 1 of the 6 players on the court at all times. 

SML season is an 10 week competition consisting of round robin games and finals. 

Each week, most teams with have 1 x 1 hr game with the first 10 minutes as warm up and 50 minute games. 

Game format:

• 5 min warm up
• 4 min spiking lines
• 1 min serving
• 50 min game

All games are best of 3 sets. The team that wins 2 out of 3 sets within the 1-hour game time wins. 

Sets are complete when:

• The 1st and 2nd sets are won when a team reaches 25 points with a 2-point lead. If the score is tied, play continues until a team leads by 2 points.
• The 3rd set is won when a team reaches 15 points with a 2-point lead.

If the game finishes early e.g. 2-0, teams can keep playing, but those extra points and sets won’t count.

If the game goes over the 1-hour limit and all sets aren’t finished, the winner is based on completed sets.

Sets will count as completed if:

1. For the 1st and 2nd sets, if a team has at least 13 points with a 2-point lead.
2. For the 3rd set, if a team has at least 8 points with a 2-point lead.

 Substitutions

1. Substitutions can be made anytime during the match, except in the last 5 minutes of play.
2. Teams can make unlimited substitutions.

Timeouts

1. Each team is allowed 2 timeouts per set.
2. Timeouts are not allowed in the last 5 minutes of play.

Rotations

• Rotations must be followed. Each time a team wins a side-out or gains the serve, they must rotate.

There will be a live results table which will be updated weekly on our website.

Point system

Each game played will contribute to a weekly point system, with points allocated in the

following manner:

• Win - 3 points
• Draw - 2 points
• Loss - 1 point
• Forfeit of an entire game will incur a fine and will count as a loss

Volleyball teams need a minimum of 6 players on the court, with the option for substitutes.

We recommend 7-10 players per team to cover absences. You can list up to 12 members, but prizes will be awarded to a maximum of 10 players per winning team.

If a team has fewer than 5 players at the start of the game, they will forfeit the first set. If they still don’t have 5 players after 15 minutes, they will forfeit the game. 

Teams may be permitted to play with 5 players with a 'ghost' rule implemented.

The "ghost" rule in volleyball is used when a team is allowed to play with only 5 players instead of the usual 6. 

How it works:

• The missing player is treated as a "ghost" position in the rotation.
• When it’s the ghost’s turn to serve, the team automatically loses the serve, and a point is awarded to the opposing team.
• The ghost’s position must be rotated through as if a player were there, meaning that the team plays with a gap on the court, making it more challenging to cover the court effectively.

If your team cannot attend a game, please notify the Sparrows team as soon as possible. Teams that forfeit face penalties. 

If you need subs, please make sure they fill the waiver for the week they are playing on. 

For finals, teams must get approval from the Sparrows team for any substitutes and we will be checking team lists before playing. 

All players, including substitutes, must sign the SML Waiver & Consent form to participate in the tournament. This ensures they understand their responsibilities and risks.

To be covered by Volleyball NSW (VNSW) insurance, players must pay a membership fee: Full $115 or Recreational $55 for adults, and Full $95 or Recreational $40 for under 18s. Membership runs from 1 April to 31 March. Full membership is required for SVL players; recreational membership is sufficient otherwise. If players do not pay membership, players are choosing not be covered by insurance and play at their own risk. Learn more.

No prior experience is necessary! The social volleyball competition is open to all skill levels, from beginners to experienced players but we recommend you play in the division similar to your team volleyball skills for best gameplay and fun.

SML Season registrations will open a few weeks before the new season starts. You can register through the form when it's available. 

We have two types of registrations, team registration or individual registration which involves forming a team with friends or joining as an individual to be placed on a team.

The competition is open to players aged 12 and above and has a mixed-gender leagues, welcoming all participants. For any participants under 18, parental consent must be obtained through the waiver form.