Volleyball, football – SVG’s best hopes at Windwards’ Games

The disciplines of male and female volleyball and male football are listed as the best prospects for St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at this year’s staging of the CBN/Winlott Inc Windward Islands Schools’ Games, taking place in Grenada.{{more}}

The composition of these disciplines’ squads prompted their coaches to be very optimistic.

Coach of the volleyball outfits Marlon Cupid told SEARCHLIGHT last Friday, prior to the Vincentian contingent‘s departure for Grenada, that he was banking on the fact that most of the male players are fresh from taking part in the NORCECA Continental Championships in Canada earlier this month.

“I am very confident that we can win the males; and the females, I think we can come in second and if things work out, even first,” Cupid analysed.

Part of Cupid’s analysis was that St Lucia would not have been at full strength in the female segment.

Cupid’s predictions were partly fulfilled when St Vincent and the Grenadines made a winning start in the male segment on Sunday morning, defeating Grenada 3-1, and in the other match, St Lucia inflicted the same result on Dominica.

Meanwhile, Lorson Lewis, coach of the football outfit, is equally confident of his charges going all the way this time around.

“The team comprises a number of players who have experienced the Windward Islands Schools’ Games in the past… Hence we fancy our chances to win the discipline,” Lewis reasoned.

“We are, however, mindful that the work has to be done on the field and so will look to do everything possible on the pitch to realize success,” he cautioned.

Coaches of the other disciplines are Vasha Adams – basketball; Ulrick Wright – track and field; Natasha Stapleton – netball; with Chester Morgan – technical director of the team.

When the games opened last Saturday at the Grenada National Stadium, St Vincent and the Grenadines again trailed the other three islands in track and field.

Grenada topped the standings with 304 points, St Lucia – 226.5 points, Dominica – 201 points and SVG – 168.5.

On Sunday afternoon, SVG was edged out by St Lucia, 39-38, in netball, and in the other contest, Grenada and Dominica drew 27 goals apiece.

In male basketball Sunday night, SVG were defeated by Grenada 61-38, while Dominica beat St Lucia 62 – 52.

When the games were held last year in Dominica, SVG finished third, behind Grenada and Dominica.

SVG won netball and female volleyball, placed second in football, third in male volleyball and finished last in male and female basketball and track and field.(RT)