SVGVA trying to bring the spike back in volleyball

Another effort to get the sport of Volleyball back spiking was staged last week.

This was when the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Volleyball Association held a six day introductory course for persons who have shown a keen interest in the sport.{{more}}

Held at the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) facility at Richmond Hill, formerly the Triangle and the course drew twenty-four participants, mainly from schools.

A product of the National Olympic Committee’s (NOC) talent identification programme, the course may not have been necessary had several teachers who were trained last year kept their word and help spread the sport in their respective schools.

But the lapses have not daunted the spirits of the association’s president Shaun Young.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT last Saturday night at the closing ceremony of the course, Young was obviously disappointed with the follow up by the teachers.

“To say I am not disappointed, would be a lie; the teachers have not fulfilled their mandate and we were hoping that more volley ballers would have come out the schools because of their initiatives”, Young reflected.

“With this not happening, we turned to plan B, which was to work out in the different communities every Saturday in a sort of coaching caravan programme, and these persons are the result of this “, Young said.

He however lauded the efforts of the teachers at the Bethel High School, St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown and the Girls’ High School, who were true to their word.

He said that their input at these institutions reflected in the attendance at the recently held course.

Adopting a positive outlook, Young said that he saw these setbacks as all part of the way forward for Volleyball.

“Obstacles must be overcome”, Young added.

Elected two years ago, Young has been the mouthpiece and most visible among the association’s executive members.

When quizzed on the involvement of the other members, Young using diplomacy said for him he was trying at best as possible to carry out the mandate vested in him.

He however, said that his executive will try to hold a national championship, a school competition as well as a Volleyball festival, all before the end of July.

Young made these same projections to SEARCHLIGHT about this same time last year, but which never came to fruition.

Again Young is optimistic that Volleyball will fully roll into action which should see St. Vincent and the Grenadines back into the sub-regional fray and make an appearance at the OECS male competition set for October in St. Kitts/Nevis.

Last week’s course conducted by Chuanlu Liu, a Chinese FIVB Instructor who resides in Switzerland, was in partnership with the NOC and the NLA, was the third in the last 12 months as Young and his executive endeavour to get Volleyball back to semblance of respectability and acceptance. Very vibrant in the late 80s through the 90s, Volleyball has lost its way and appeal.

However, Young is hopeful that with the interest and enthusiasm shown by the participants, there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

And there was an added reason for the female participants to get more involved, as for the first time, a female Volleyball competition will be part of this year’s Windward Islands Schools’ Games to be held in Dominica during the July to August school vacation.

All twenty four participants assessed by Liu, received a passing grade. They each received a certificate from FIVB and another of participation from the NOC.

Gregory Dublin and Nikita Campbell were adjudged the male and female Most Valuable Players respectively, based on their output during of the course.

Ronnel Hunte, one of this country’s Under-17 football team’s goal keepers was named the Most Improved Player.