JaVA Acknowledges Primary-level School Parish Coordinators

The Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) took time out to acknowledge their Parish Coordinators, who have been instrumental in the noteworthy successes of the primary-level school competition. Boasting an approximate 500% increase in school participation since it was piloted in 2010, the competition saw the participation of eighty (80) schools in the just concluded 2014 season.

The recently elected JaVA President, Rudolph Speid, had high praises for the work of the Parish Coordinators. Highlighting their importance to the development of volleyball in Jamaica under his administration, Speid noted that he intends to adopt a "build from the bottom" approach and therefore the individuals who are investing in youth development are going to play a pivotal role in the future plans.

JAVA's School Development Manager, Major Warrenton Dixon, in thanking the Parish Coordinators, stated, "not only do I believe that the competition would not have grown without your support, it would have died, especially given the absence of sponsorship." Dixon had initiated the programme in 2010 while he served as President of JaVA.

Speid, who promised to focus initial attention on improving JaVA's administrative structure, told the Parish Coordinators that while their accomplishments have been admirable, there is a lot more to achieve. He informed them of initial plans to form Parish Associations in all parishes before the end of the year, and importance in the accomplishment of the plan. Only Westmoreland currently has an existing Parish Association that is affiliated to JaVA. JaVA however has a foothold in eleven (11) parishes way of the primary-level school competition and intends to exploit this in its effort to raise the profile of the sport across the length and breadth of Jamaica.