Bring your own water.
Bring enough water for the full session. Drinking water and bathroom facilities are available at the park.
Team Mindful · Free clinics and more volleyball
Start playing. Get more reps.
Free grass clinics for youth players of all experience levels. Come learn the game, build your skills, or get additional competitive repetitions. Attend once or return whenever it works—there is no full-season commitment.
Come when it works
Everyone needs a place to begin—and more chances to play.
Choose the free practices or clinics that fit your family’s schedule. Attend once to explore, return when your athlete wants more repetitions, or wait for a later opportunity.
Beginners are welcome to learn volleyball, and experienced players are welcome to get more touches and competition. Activities can be adjusted so athletes have a useful challenge at their current level.
Coming to one session does not obligate you to attend every practice or join a tournament team.
Before you arrive
What to expect on grass.
Waters End Park
754 Kearney St
Benicia, CA 94510
Choose grass footwear carefully.
Bare feet or running shoes can both work on grass. Choose whichever feels safest and most comfortable for your athlete. Check the grass before playing, and remember that shoes may get dirty.
Prepare for the sun.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended. Apply sunscreen before play and bring more if you may need to reapply.
Electrolytes can help.
Electrolyte packets are recommended for warm or longer sessions. They are optional and do not replace bringing enough water.
A look inside Team Mindful
Real reps. Live feedback. Plenty of play.
Grass clinics are active and adaptable. Athletes work through volleyball movements, get direct coaching, and apply what they learn with the group.
Tournament interest checks
We will compete when demand supports a team.
These are possible NCVA tournament dates, not required commitments. Tell me which dates your athlete would want to play. I will register only if enough players are interested and I confirm the team.
Sunday, September 272026 NCVA Fall Youth League · League 1
Capital Sports Center
5209 Luce Avenue, McClellan, CA 95652
CanceledUpdated Sep 20, 6:30 PM PDT
4 players interestedSaturday, October 172026 NCVA Fall Youth League · League 2
Capital Sports Center
5209 Luce Avenue, McClellan, CA 95652
TentativeAwaiting a fresh confirmation from Coach Matt
1 player interestedExpress interest →Only after a tournament is confirmed
Do not buy a membership just to attend grass clinics.
An NCVA membership is not needed for the current free grass sessions. If enough players want a tournament and I confirm the team, each competing athlete will need the Fall Youth League Membership.
The 2026 membership costs $20 total and is valid from September 1 through December 31, 2026. Please wait for confirmation from Coach Matt before purchasing it specifically for Team Mindful.
View NCVA membership information →Upcoming practices
Waters End Park · Benicia
754 Kearney St, Benicia, CA 94510. All current practices are outdoors on grass. Additional opportunities will be added as they become available.
● Confirmed● Tentative● Canceled
● Tentative5 players expected
Saturday, October 3 or Sunday, October 4
12:00–2:00 PM · final day TBD
Waters End Park754 Kearney St · BeniciaAwaiting a fresh confirmation from Coach MattDo not travel unless Coach Matt confirms this event.
● Confirmed6 players expected
Saturday, October 10
12:00–2:00 PM
Waters End Park754 Kearney St · BeniciaUpdated Sep 20, 6:31 PM PDT
● Confirmed9 players expected
Sunday, October 11
12:00–2:00 PM
Waters End Park754 Kearney St · BeniciaUpdated Sep 20, 6:31 PM PDT
● Tentative0 players expected
March 2027 weekend clinics
Weekend dates and times TBD · interest signup
Waters End Park754 Kearney St · BeniciaAwaiting a fresh confirmation from Coach MattDo not travel unless Coach Matt confirms this event.
● Tentative0 players expected
April 2027 weekend clinics
Weekend dates and times TBD · interest signup
Waters End Park754 Kearney St · BeniciaAwaiting a fresh confirmation from Coach MattDo not travel unless Coach Matt confirms this event.
Confirmed means the event is on. If an event is tentative or canceled, do not travel to the park. Families who RSVP receive a weekly schedule and a status email at 6:00 PM the day before an exact event date.
Why we’re practicing on grass
Use what we have. Practice consistently. Keep the program free.
I’ve spent time looking into indoor facilities and gym options. For this first season, outdoor grass practices are the most realistic and financially sustainable way to get the team practicing consistently while keeping Team Mindful free.
Gym rentals become expensive quickly. Instead of limiting our practice opportunities or introducing significant costs for families, we’re going to use the space available and get as many quality reps as possible outdoors.
Grass does not keep us from getting better. We can work on serving, passing, setting, attacking, defense, communication, movement, and competitive play. The most important thing right now is getting together and playing volleyball consistently.
The local weather should generally allow outdoor practices through September and much of October. Individual sessions may still be adjusted or canceled because of weather, daylight, or field conditions.
Looking toward winter
This fall is the program’s first real test.
We’ll practice, compete in the Youth League, and see how the team develops. As colder and wetter months approach, I’ll reevaluate our facility needs.
If participation remains strong and we generate enough financial support and donations, my goal is to secure indoor gym space for the winter.
For now, we’re going to use what we have, keep participation as affordable as possible, and get better at volleyball.