Cayman Academy received their donation last week.

Matthew Yates

Like other sports volleyball is making steps forward for 2010.

One of the things on its agenda is spreading its popularity among locals and school children. Last week the discipline made its latest move to that end.

The Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation donated volleyballs and equipment (including playing nets) to Cayman Academy school.

On hand for the donation was federation president Noel Williams, national team player Olney Thompson, principle Nelda Drackett, Physical Education teacher Melbourne Williams and volunteer coach Minett McCoy.

Some 15 students were also present, eager to put the equipment to use. Among them was Dineah-Ashley Daigle, 11, who is head girl for the school.

Thompson, with help from McCoy, led some basic volleyball drills on the school’s outside court focusing on essentials such as serving and returning.

As teacher Melbourne Williams states the presence of the volleyball federation is well-received.

“It’s tremendous because the interest is already there. I wish everyone could try to foster sports like Noel. He’s ready to help in any way and this donation will really keep the kids motivated.”

Some 30-40 kids are usually involved in the school’s after-school program (which will feature volleyball on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30pm).

 Adding to the significance of the gesture for the Cayman Academy staff was it came from a former student. Noel Williams attended the school some 30 years ago and has since had his children pass through the school.

As Melbourne states it is a blessing for Cayman Academy.

“I’ve been teaching here since 2004 and I wish I had more people like him involved with the Home School Association. It’s a blessing to us and he’s always there for us.”

Cayman Academy is the third school site to benefit from the assistance of the volleyball federation. The local body already donated volleyball equipment to Cayman Prep and the George Hicks campus.

As Noel Williams states it’s all about getting the youngsters involved.

“I’m really excited because this is where the growth and future of the sport will come from,” Williams said. “We’ve spent more than CI$5000 in donations to the schools and we’ve had players from the women’s and men’s national teams involved.

“In addition to Cayman Academy there are two other programs going on at Prep on Tuesdays and the George Hicks campus on Wednesdays. Curtis Richards and his Falcon volleyball club co-ordinate those programs.

“We have around 200 kids involved in total and our objective is to have volleyball in every school. From here we’re going to Grace Christian Academy and Wesleyan Christian Academy in West Bay and in the near future we’ll branch out to the Eastern districts.”

News of the school initiatives come as indoor volleyball is being featured in the district volleyball leagues.

Taking place in West Bay and East End, the leagues have been popular as the young and old have come out in droves to participate since late January. Both are slated to wrap up in the coming weeks.

Williams and the volleyball federation are quite involved in those leagues. In addition to equipment being donated to both, national team players are participants and Williams (a West Bay resident) umpires West Bay games and coaches the Scholars team.

Adding to the hype around volleyball is the return of the North and Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation beach circuit tournament. The competition will be held at Seven Mile Public Beach 19-21 March.

Last year Cayman was represented by Olney Thompson and Shervin Rankine on the men’s side and Wanda Brenton and Jennifer Bily on the women’s team.

With the beach volleyball tournament coming up in a few weeks Williams sees now as the time for the public to get behind the sport.

“People now have more than enough chances to get into volleyball. In fact we hope to start up a school league featuring all of the schools. The idea is to start it in the district halls on the weekends in the next month or two.”

Persons interested in being involved in volleyball should call Noel Williams at 916-2134 or e-mail noel.williams@firstcaribbeanbank.com.