The success of Cayman’s national beach volleyball teams has the local governing body eager to find more talent.
To that extent, the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation recently staged a junior clinic with US professional players. As federation board member Carl Brown states, there are plans to broaden the sport’s reach among the youth.
“About 18 youngsters recently had the privilege to train with the US pros,” Brown said. “It was huge and a big thing. We hope to find the next generation of volleyball players and have a larger pool to pick from (for the national teams).
“We’re looking forward to applying ourselves as an association to supply overseas scholarships. Our aim is to attract four youngsters to qualify for those scholarships.
“We also brought in a International Volleyball Federation certified coach in Juan Cartagena. He is here until 24 February and is specially assigned to train officials and youngsters.”
Cartagena is a FIVB instructor and the head technical coordinator for the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation. A former national team manager for Puerto Rico, Cartagena has visited Caribbean nations like Aruba, the British and US Virgin Islands and Bermuda in recent months to work with local players and coaches.
News of his presence comes after Chara Harris and Megan Wallin worked with youngsters on Public Beach earlier this month. Both ladies compete on the Extreme Volleyball Professionals Tour (a pro beach volleyball circuit in the US). Harris has been ranked as high as 13th in the US while Wallin is currently 16th in the 2012 pro women’s national rankings.
They reside in Sarasota, Florida and were accompanied by their male partners who also play in the US in Scott Harris (Chara’s husband) and Matt Brockway (Megan’s boyfriend).
Brown is quick to reiterate that they all had nothing but praise for Cayman.
“The geography, how and where we host, all work for us. The pros complimented the quality of sand here, it being next to the water and the open arms we extended to them. Coming here is something they will never forget. Being small never allowed us to think small. We’re bursting fourth to command attention.
“We have no problem being David and there is no reason we cannot continue the success story of felling Goliath.”
The visitors worked with girls aged 10-18, who honed in on fundamentals like serving, spiking and footwork. The session was sponsored by Life Extension Sports and Fitness (a new Seven Mile Beach fitness facility) in association with the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation. Among those in attendance from the federation was vice president Kennedy McGowan and junior national girls coach Andrea Williams.
Many youngsters, like Chante Smith-Johnson, found the session helpful. The born-and-bred West Bayer, 15, states there is much to remember.
“It was a good experience and a chance to be introduced to new things,” Smith-Johnson said. “I’ve been playing volleyball a little while, five years from time I was in elementary school. The spiking drills required a lot of concentration, it was different. But I guess if you practice it, you’ll get it.”
The renewed focus on the junior programme comes as the national teams continue their Olympic journey. The women’s squad of Cristin Alexander, Jennifer Bily, Taylor Burrowes and Stefania Gandolfi played in Costa Rica over the weekend in the semi-finals of the Continental Cup. The men’s side of Richard Campbell, Philippe Deslandes, Shervin Rankin and Olney Thompson are currently training for their semis in Nicaragua next month.
In addition, the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (a regional organization under NORCECA and the FIVB) is looking to stage the youth women’s final on 5-11 March.
For athletes like West Bay basketball player April Ebanks, 15, motivation is there to improve.
“It was a good experience as we were exposed to what all they do, what we haven’t done here,” Ebanks said. “I’m really thankful for that. I only started three years ago and I do beach and indoor volleyball. The spiking was difficult but no pain, no gain.”
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