News

With the under 19 CAZOVA games quickly approaching, the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation has been tirelessly focusing their efforts on their youth development programs. In collaboration with Canadian Coach and Education, Rick Bevis, from Vancouver Island University, the federation has rolled out a number of initiatives designed to promote the sport across the island and identify and prepare young athletes eligible to represent Cayman at the CAZOVA games in Jamaica in July. Since his arrival in January, Coach Rick has led Volleyball skill development sessions at John Gray High School on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings. CIVF was thrilled with the turn out, with over 35 players with ages ranging from 8-18 attending the open training sessions. Although this indoor clinic will conclude on Saturday, March 30th, there are still more youth development opportunities in the works.

Coach Rick recently had the opportunity to visit some of the local schools, and it became very apparent that many of the students’ first introduction to the game happened during their physical education class. Volleyball is a technical sport, so it’s easier to teach students the proper techniques from the start, rather than trying to correct improper form later down the line. Last week, he had the pleasure of running a coaching Volleyball clinic for Physical Education teachers from Triple C, Cayman Prep and John Gray Schools. The focus of this clinic was on a “Games 4 Understanding” approach with students in Grades 6-10. Teacher and Coach Marcus Patterson, from Triple C, found the training to be very informative and he said that the takeaway from the clinic “will serve to facilitate students learning volleyball as early as grade 6 through their physical education sessions.” In continued commitment to the development of youth volleyball locally, CIVF presented Triple C with 26 volleyballs. Principal, Bob Lankford, graciously accepted the volleyballs from Kennedy McGowan, President of CIVF and the visiting coach. Patterson happily noted that “this initiative by Triple C School and the support of CIVF will be crucial for the sustainability of the sport on the island.”

With the youth training sessions, school practices, and the PSA league underway, Coach Rick explained that “All of these sessions have given me an opportunity to identify athletes in advance of the upcoming Youth National Team Development Program tryouts in early April.” Once the team has been selected, the Youth National Team will participate in a development program from April through to July. With the objective of sending a Cayman Island Team(s), to a CAZOVA age class event in Jamaica in July, Coach Rick is encouraging all athletes ages 14-19 to attend the tryouts scheduled for April 5th and 8th at John Gray High School from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to email: youth@civf.ky.