Spring Fling XVI
Registration is sold-out! To be added to the waitlist, please email the tournament organizers at springfling@gothamvolleyball.org.
Gotham Volleyball is proud to present “Spring Fling,” a NAGVA-style tournament run by Gotham Volleyball for beginner to intermediate players in Gotham. It is designed for Gotham players in Divisions 8-12, Power D-H, W2-W3, and PowerPlay. It is a two day tournament, with the first day being round robin play and the second day a double elimination tournament.
Event Information
When
May 16-17, 2026
Levels
We will have two levels - Green and Intermediate.
- Green Level - Divisions 10-12, Power F-H, W3 & Power Play
- Intermediate Level - Divisions 8-9, Power D-E & W2
Fees
- Tournament Fee: $415 for up to 7 players
- Additional Player Fee: $60 each
Facilities
Details on location of the tournament will be sent out closer to the event. Teams will play at one of the following locations:
- Bayard Rustin Education Complex (351 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011)
- P.S 51 Elias Howe School (525 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036)
Player Eligibility: Gotham members
A player is deemed Gotham-rated if they played in a Gotham Division or Power Training program in any of the past three seasons (Spring ‘26, Fall ‘25, or Spring ‘25). The program(s) from their most recent season played counts as their rating, regardless of whether they have subsequently tried out and failed to be selected.
If a player’s most recent Gotham season consists of multiple Power and Division levels and/or that player has an active NAGVA rating, only the highest of those levels will be used when determining eligibility. However, the Rating Committee reserves the right to declare any players ineligible if the Committee determines their skill level is too high for the tournament.
Tournament eligibility is determined by the following criteria:
- Intermediate Level: At least four of the players on the team must have a Gotham rating of Division 8-9, Power D-E or W2, or an active NAGVA C rating. Each team may have up to two higher level “transitional” players on their roster. “Transitional” players have a Gotham rating of Division 6-7, Power C or W, or an active NAGVA B rating.
- Green Level: At least four of the players on the team must have a Gotham rating of Division 10-12, Power F-H or W3, or Power Play. Each team may have up to two higher level “transitional” players on their roster. “Transitional” players may have a Gotham rating of Division 8-9, Power D-E or W2, or an active NAGVA C rating.
- There is no “minimum” skill level for either Division. However, the Tournament Director, after consulting with the affected Captains and tournament staff, may reclassify a team into the “Intermediate” or “Green” Division, to balance the tournament based on skill of teams.
- Any player in Gotham Division 1-5, Power A-B, or with an active NAGVA rating of BB, A, or AA is ineligible.
Player Eligibility: Non-Gotham members
Non-Gotham players are defined as those who have not participated in any Division or Power Training season-long program in the past three seasons (Spring '26, Fall '25, Spring '25).
- To be eligible, non-Gotham players must be rated by the Spring Fling XVI Rating Committee to determine if the player is appropriate for the tournament. Only non-Gotham players whose skills are comparable to the mid-range of eligible Divisions (Division 8-9) will be allowed to participate. Relative team strength based on level of the Gotham rated players on the team will also be considered. Non-Gotham players may not be added to a team roster after May 13, except in exceptional circumstances and with approval from the Tournament Director.
- Any team using an ineligible player in a match will forfeit that match.
- The Tournament staff also reserves the right to disqualify a player and/or issue a forfeit if a player’s skills are misrepresented in any manner, including misleading tournament staff about a player’s skill level and/or “playing down” during pool play.
Information for Current Teams
Note: These documents are all from Spring Fling XIV in 2024. Most of their information will be useful to captains and players but not all information is 100% accurate.
Schedule
May 16
- Pool play
May 17
- Double elimination tournament play
- MVP, All Star, Rookie of the Year and Team Awards will be given out directly after tournament play
Event FAQs & Resources
Q: How does a “NAGVA-style tournament” work?
A: It’s a fun, full weekend of volleyball! Saturday is round robin play. You play four other teams in 2-game matches similar to a Friendship Tournament. The second day is a double-elimination tournament with seeding determined by the success of teams on the first day of play. Seeding will be announced at a party following pool play. You keep playing Sunday until you lose two matches or win the championship!!! At the end of the tournament, awards will be given to the top 3 teams in the tournament. Awards will also be given out for Tournament MVP and All Stars.
Q: Are team uniforms required?
All teams are required to wear uniforms or t-shirts of a common color, except if the team designates a player as a libero. The libero must wear a clearly different color shirt, it cannot be of a similar shade to the rest of the team’s uniform.
Can I get a refund on my team registration?
Teams that cancel their registration by April 17th are entitled to a full refund.
Q: I want to play in Spring Fling XVI, but I don’t have a team. What can I do?
A: If you don’t have a team and you are playing in Gotham Division Play or Power, we recommend checking with teammates or friends in your division/power class to see if you can get a team together. We have also created a Free Agent registration on LeagueApps to help players find a team.
Q: Do I need to play in Gotham Division Play or Power Training to participate?
A: No. The tournament is open to all players, although we strongly encourage the use of Gotham-rated players. If you have never played in Gotham Division Play, Power, or NAGVA; or have not played in any of these places during the last 3 seasons, you will need to be evaluated for eligibility by coming to a Gotham Friendship Tournament or Open Play prior to Spring Fling.
In evaluating eligibility, players who will not fit well within the mainstream of participants will not be permitted to play. A player’s skills being comparable to the strongest players in the highest eligible or “transitional” division is insufficient justification to be permitted to play.
I have another question!
If after reading all of the information on this site, you still have a question, please email the Spring Fling Tournament Directors at springfling@gothamvolleyball.org