The Cayman Islands flag will be flying high for the first time at the world championships next month – an accomplishment heralded by Cayman’s volleyball federation.
Cayman qualified for the upcoming 2023 FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball World Championships, taking place in Thailand from 8-12 Nov., after securing a top-five ranking in the NORCECA region for their age group.
Joanna Robinson and Brianna Delapenha, with her sister Anjia Delapenha as the alternate, will be on the courts for Cayman.
“The players have had an incredible journey to qualify for the world championships,” Trevor Theroulde, national technical director for Cayman volleyball, told the Compass. “We faced some tough competition in regional qualifiers and our determination and hard work paid off.”
Over the last year, Robinson and Delapenha, both 16, have remained active, playing in several NORCECA competitions and the Commonwealth Youth Games, including the regional finals held in November in Punta Cana. While they did not hit the podium at that event, their performance kept them high in the rankings.
“I personally could not be prouder of these young female athletes and all the youth coaches that have worked with them over the years in preparation for this opportunity,” Theroulde said. “They have shown immense dedication, and their teamwork is outstanding.”
As Cayman prepares to face the world’s most elite under-21 volleyball players, Theroulde has no expectations, saying he will be proud of his athletes’ efforts no matter the outcome.
“We have been finetuning our strategy and skills and we are eager to face the world’s best in Thailand,” Theroulde said. “The players are thrilled to represent… on the world stage – eager to make [the] Cayman Islands proud.”
Theroulde went on to note that the success and opportunities wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Sports Minister Bernie Bush and the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation in nurturing young talent to maximise their potential.
Related Videos
