Volleyball looking to rebuild fan base

The executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Volleyball Association (SVGVA), is not hosting the 2024 –2025 National Volleyball Championships as part of its operational mandate, but as a conduit to build the sport.

That was explicitly expressed by President of the SVGVA, Gary Matthias, when he spoke at the opening ceremony of the championships, last Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the Girls’ High School Hard Court.

Acknowledging the many hiccups and stops and starts over the years, Matthias commented, “We are trying to build our fan base this year, and we actually have a prize for fans, for the club with the most fans. Make sure you bring out all your fans”.

He noted that part of the building rests with the players themselves as they are the pillars of the sport.

“You are not competing for the championships; you are setting the standard for Volleyball in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is your chance to learn more and become the local superstars,” Matthias re-emphasised.

Into his first term as head of the SVGVA, Matthias stressed the values of Volleyball and building teamwork.

“Volleyball is excitement, Volleyball is fun. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far go together.”

Fifteen teams, representing four clubs, are seeking to lift the titles at stake.

The participating clubs are Country Roots, Eagles, Gremlins and Unique Touch.

With four teams to the good, Country Roots will be represented in the Senior, Male ,and Female Divisions as well as the Male B, with two entries.

Eagles has a team each in the Male B and Female B Divisions, with Gremlins having five teams. Gremlins has one team each in the Senior Male and Female, the Male B, and two in the Female B.

Unique Touch has a team each in the four divisions. Unique Touch is defending the Female B title, and Gremlins is defending in the other three divisions. The last National Volleyball Championships were staged in 2022.