October 29, 2026
From Alberta Winter to Caribbean Courts: Skyline's Dominican Republic Volleyball Trip
Skyline Alberta teams are spending a week in the Dominican Republic: new opponents, Caribbean culture and adventure. See what the trip looks like.
Author: Skyline Volleyball Club Editorial
Tags: Sport Tours, Club volleyball, Tryouts
Swap your parka for flip-flops. This season, Skyline Alberta teams U15 and older are travelling to the Dominican Republic for a week of volleyball, culture and adventure, travelling two teams at a time from the end of February into March 2027.
It is the kind of trip most athletes only hear about. For Skyline players, it is part of the season.
Why the Dominican Republic?
Few countries love sport like the Dominican Republic. It is famous for producing baseball stars, and it is also home to high-level volleyball and basketball programs and players who compete with flair and athleticism. Add warm February weather, Caribbean beaches and centuries of history, and you have a destination built for a team trip.
What a week could look like
The tour runs seven days, Sunday to Sunday, organized by V Sports International. Here is the general shape of the week; the final schedule is confirmed with the club before travel.
Sunday to Tuesday: settle in on the north coast
Land, check in and start the week in the Puerto Plata region: palm-lined beaches, warm water and team activities that turn a group of athletes into a travelling family.
Midweek: volleyball in Santo Domingo
Head to the capital for the volleyball side of the trip: clinics with Dominican coaches, friendly matches against local clubs and training sessions where your team tries new ideas against new opponents.
A day in the Colonial Zone
Explore Santo Domingo’s historic Colonial Zone: stone streets, fortress walls, colourful buildings, local food and music everywhere.
Adventure day
Choices can include hiking to waterfalls, swimming in jungle rivers, zipline rides, buggy trails through the countryside, trail rides on horseback and meeting the island’s squirrel monkeys. V Sports matches the activities to each group’s age and size.
End of the week: the mini tournament
Put it all together in a mini tournament, then celebrate the week as a team before flying home on Sunday.
Skills you bring home (some of them are not volleyball)
- Reading new opponents. Dominican teams play with a different rhythm. Learning to adjust mid-match is a skill that wins long rallies in Alberta gyms too.
- Leadership. Travel puts athletes in charge of their gear, their schedule and each other. Captains lead; everyone steps up.
- Communication. Calling the ball in a loud gym and ordering lunch in Spanish both count.
- Respect and curiosity. Meeting athletes from another culture shows how much volleyball connects people.
- Team trust. A week of shared adventures builds chemistry that shows up on the court in the spring.
Five Spanish phrases to learn before you go
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? | Hi! How are you? |
| ¡Buen partido! | Good game! |
| ¡Mía! | Mine! (calling the ball) |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? |
| ¡Muchas gracias! | Thank you very much! |
For parents: how the trip works
- One organizer. V Sports International looks after where the team stays (a resort is part of the plan), what everyone eats, getting to and from the airport and around the country, the volleyball schedule and the planned outings, with staff on hand all week.
- Air travel is arranged through V Sports’ travel agent, with airfare priced on its own.
- You pay the tour company directly, not the club.
- Fundraising help: every player gets an online fundraising page to share with family and friends.
- No surprises: you will know the cost, your team’s week and the schedule well before departure.
How to make the trip
The Dominican Republic tour is for athletes on Skyline Alberta club teams. Step one is tryouts: November 29 to December 6, three sessions for one $50 registration, with a Volleyball Alberta tryout membership required first.
Tryouts are in Calgary at Western Canada High School and the MNP Community & Sport Centre, for U13 to U17 girls and U16 boys. Register now to save your spot.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Skyline Alberta athletes go?
The Dominican Republic trip is for Skyline Alberta teams U15 and older. Teams travel in pairs, one pair per week, from the last week of February into early March 2027. Every Skyline team travels during the season, and younger teams travel within Canada.
Is it safe?
Every team travels with its Skyline coaches, and V Sports International staff organize the hotel, transportation and activities and stay in touch with the group all week.
Will athletes miss school?
The tour is a full week, Sunday to Sunday. Travel weeks are confirmed early so families can plan with their schools.
How do we pay for it?
Payments go straight to V Sports International, not through the club. Every player also gets an online fundraising page, and airfare is priced on its own.
