The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation (CIVF) continues preparations for the Natwest Island Games XII being held in Rhodes, Greece in July 2007. In addition to an intense fundraising drive, the CIVF recently selected their National Volleyball Squads. The female National team is comprised of Cayman’s top volleyballers and features several volleyball veterans and experienced players.
The squad is lead by Head Coach Keith Higgins. Higgins is a FIVB Level III Coach, this being the highest International certification. Together with Assistant Coach Gilberto Crowe, the duo is putting together the strongest female volleyball team to represent Cayman at the Island Games XII in hopes of bringing home a medal. In 2001, Cayman’s volleyball ladies finished in 5th place from a field of 11 competitors and are working hard in hopes of securing a spot on the podium this year.
Selected for the National Squad are: Cristin Alexander, Eleanor Berry, Tracy Ebanks, Ceta Fuentes, Drew Dhanraj, Belinda Francis, Audrey Kwan, Samantha Johncox, Dara Perriera, Melanie McLaughlin, Nicola Williams, Rose Wright and Manager Tammy Kelderman. Of this core group, 10 have previously represented Cayman in regional and international volleyball competitions. Coach Higgins believes this considerable depth of playing experience will be an important factor in the team’s success. For the past 5 months, this core group of female players has undergone an intensive volleyball training regime, including biweekly personal training sessions designed by international fitness guru and bodybuilder Carla Yee Sing, the 2004 Pro Women Overall Winner Ms. Universe.
The male team is represented by the top Cayman Islands volleyballers and is coached by Gilberto Crowe, who has previous international experience at Island Games. Selected for the national squad are: Bero Bobus, Anthony Bodden, Keith Higgins, Keeble Knight, Vince McElroy, Kennedy McGowan, Ryan McGuire, George Miller, Brian Purcell, Shervin Rankin, Curtis Richards, Davison Ruwende, Kevin Solomon, Olney Thompson and Manager Fareed Hosein. The male team is represented by a mixture of youth and experience and expectations are high based on the level of talent present on the squad. Along with the female team, the men have been involved in an intensive training schedule for the past 5 months in preparation for the Natwest Island Games.
Both the male and female national teams work out twice weekly at the John Gray High School gym and CIVF is extremely grateful to JGHS for its support of Cayman’s national athletes. CIVF is actively soliciting corporate sponsorship for both the male and female National teams for Island Games XII. Any corporations interested in sponsoring the National Volleyball squads may contact the CIVF at: [email protected] or any CIVF Board member.
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