MEET THE OWNERS
Coach Amber (Cofounder/Director)
Coach Amber Rauh-Barany went to Kean University with a double major in Education: Biology and Exercise Science. She also has an Associates Degree in Physical Education from Middlesex College. She has a NASM: Nutrition Coach Certification (CNC), NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT-7), as well as took courses on NASM for CPR/AED and Virtual Coaching,
Coach Amber has vast experience in coaching volleyball for many age groups. Coach Amber was the Director of Coaching for 2 Nike Camps held at Sportika and Princeton Day School (Summer 2021) and 4 Nike Camps (Summer 2022). She was in charge of designing the lesson plans for the entire camp. She will also be the Director of Coaching for 3 Nike Camps held at All Season Sports Acadmey (Summer 2023). Coach Amber Co-leads the Tournament Prep and Tournament Programs with Coach Cliff Barany, and helps create the lesson plans for the Beginner Practice programs.
Coach Amber volunteer coached youth recreational programs from 2010 to 2014. Additionally, she was a Head Coach for major NJ youth club teams from 2015-2019. Amber balanced a 13 Nationals team and a 15 Local teams for multiple years, and did private lessons, to pay for her college tuition. She also directed tournaments for GEVA and held scorekeeping seminars for her club during the 2015 through 2018 seasons.
In High School , Amber played as a starting Outside Hitter for all four years and was captain her Junior and Senior year. She Lead her team in Service aces per set, kills and digs. She received many awards. During her junior season she was nominated White Division All-Star Team Three, Second Position. At the conclusion of her Senior season, she was nominated White Division All-Star Team One, First position.
In College, Amber was the captain of her team at Middlesex County College during her 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. She was the team's starting Outside Hitter, and she earned many awards during her collegiate career. In her Freshman season, Coach Amber was nominated onto the All- GSAC Division III second team. During her 2016-17 season, Coach Amber was nominated as GSAC Player of the Week for the Region with 48 kills, 60 digs, and 19 aces in one week. Additionally, she received All- GSAC Division III First team and All-Region Division III second team after her sophomore season. In 2017-18, Coach Amber became a volunteer coach for Middlesex County College. The following year, she became the Head Coach for the Women's Volleyball Program.
Coach Amber plays for Team USA in a sport called Fistball. She competed in The 2022 World Games held Birmingham, Alabama July 2022. Amber was named "2023 WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR" beating out candidates from around the world. Her team traveled to Brazil to compete in the Pan American Games in October 2022,. Her upcoming tournamnet the IFA World Tour June 10-11, 2023 in Flanders, NJ , the USA National Championships in Wisconsin on July 1-2, 2023 and will compete in Switzerland Aug 4-6, 2023. She was elected as the Team USA U18 Coach in December 2022. She is the Cofounder of REC It Fistball, training middle and high school volleyball players to eventually compete in international Fistball tournaments for team USA. Due to a rotator cuff injury, Coach Amber retired from competative indoor volleyball and transitioned to Competative Beach Doubles and Grass Double (2019- Current day). Occasionally, Coach Amber will play in indoor 6's women's and Co-ed advanced, as well as REVCO quads tournaments.
Coach Cliff (Cofounder/ Director)
Coach Cliff Barany graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from TCNJ. He grew up in Jackson, NJ and his high school and college both lacked volleyball teams, so he stuck with basketball for years after college. Once he got into volleyball, he recognized a need for the sport to expand what was available in NJ. Looking to create more adult volleyball playing opportunities, Cliff established a club called Greater Metro Area Volleyball Club (GMAVC) in 2012 which he still operates today. Along with his partner Sherry, they built the program from nothing into the largest adult open gym in NJ, hosting multiple events every week. GMAVC has hosted many tournaments, which include D3 and D2 college teams competing. Many local Universities have their players routinely practicing at GMAVC's weekly advanced events. The group also runs charity events, fundraisers, and other community-focused programs to give back and be ambassadors for the sport.
Cliff was appointed Regional Manager for Nike Youth Volleyball Camps for central NJ in 2021 one camp at Princeton Day School and the other at Sportika. During the Summer of 2022, Cliff lead two Princeton Day School and two Sportika Camps. Due to his extensive network, Coach Cliff managed to secure the Director postion for three 2023 Nike All Season Sport Academy Camps. He plans to install instructional camps around the area for years to come. With his expansive personal network, he oversees who is hired and ensures that the program is held to high standards.
From 2016- 2021, Cliff coached adult clinics for newer players with his Head Coach, Amber Rauh-Barany. The clinics allowed GMAVC, which has over 2,700 members, to expand into more recreational level players and broaden the offering suite. The clinics ranged from fundamentals to training skill-specific mechanics. Cliff knows how to run all varieties of system volleyball and has experience running drills and coaching students of all different skill levels.
On May 4, 2021, Coach Cliff and Amber Founded REC It Volleyball. They started with one practice program with 28 athletes and 6 coaches and evolved the programs into a track to help athletes make high school and college teams. Rec It now offers five levels of programs and employs over 20 coaches. Coach Cliff helps create the lesson plans for the Beginner Practice Programs (level 1). He coleads the Tournament Prep and the Tournament Programs (level 2-5). He runs the Clifton Program and designs the lesson plans for the High School Practice, and Tournament programs. Cliff frequently collaborates with Coach Myka to develop the Middle School Practice Program at the Clifton location.
In addition to running competitive and recreational adult events, Cliff plays Fistball. He will compete with his club team Swim and Sport Club (SSC) in Switzerland in July 2023. He will also attend the IFA World Tour tournamnet june 10-11, 2023 , and two major USA Club tournaments in July and August 2023 held at SSC and Phoenix Fistball Club in PA. He is also one of the Cofounders of REC It Fistball, a youth fistball program training middle and high school athletes to play on the USA U18 team.
In his free time, Coach Cliff is active in a motorsport car club. His diverse playing experience keeps expanding his appreciation for sports, and his passion for Volleyball and Fistball's growth in NJ is tireless. His newest goal is to grow awareness of the sport for the next generation.