Based on Volleyball age Categories, generally the age groups are as follows: 
18U**: Athletes born between September 1, 2007 and Dec 31, 2008 (16 months)

** For 2026 VC Club Nationals & VNS Provincials, 18U Age Category ONLY: A team roster for the 18U category may include the following: 2 athletes born from Jan 1 - August 31, 2007, with the following restriction: ​Athletes are NOT permitted to be part of any USport, CCAA or other Post-Secondary volleyball program for the current season (October 1, 2025 - May 1, 2026)

The focus of the 17U and 18U Program is to optimize fitness preparation, volleyball-specific skills, and position-specific skills and to commit to a pathway which will also optimize performance. Individual and position-specific training is provided to players with training volumes and intensities gradually raised to high levels. Volleyball skills are performed under a variety of competitive conditions during training. More complex team systems are learned. Training should be position specific. (LTAD, Volleyball Canada)