Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 16th, 2012 -- Over 100 elementary students, from six government and four private schools, were able to learn the basics of volleyball through the Cool Volley Festival which was held at the Pam Tyson Sport Complex, on January 12.
The initiative stems from a concerted effort by the St. Kitts Amateur Volleyball Association (SKAVA), in collaboration with the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), to introduce volleyball to young students in an effort to create a positive feed source for the national volleyball program, in a fun environment.
Initially, the students were separated into gender but as the activity progressed they were introduced to the co-ed system of play. This first Cool Volley Festival focused on the overhand (setting) aspect of the game and the students were visibly excited to exhibit their new skill.
The assigned instructors for the Cool Volley Festival were Belville Smith, from the Department of Sport, and Antoinette Henry and Steadroy Collins, two SKAVA coaches.
According to Ms. Henry, even though most of the children were playing volleyball for the very first time, they brought tremendous energy and team spirit to the session. She noted that those two attributes were critical for the success of any sporting program.
“We are very excited with this pilot initiative and already we are cementing plans to take the Cool Volley program into the rural areas so we can optimize the number of young people we can reach,” Henry disclosed.
Her colleagues also voiced a similar excitement and revealed that a number of parents and teachers were hoping to see the Cool Volley program integrated into the schools, as part of the syllabus or an after school program.
The 110 students came from the Beach Allen, Tucker Clarke, Irish Town, Dr. William Connor, Bronte Welsh and Cayon government schools and the George Moody, Maurice Hillier, Seventh Day and Immaculate Conception private schools.
A number of volunteers from the SKAVA fraternity also assisted with the initiative.
SKAVA strives to provide citizens of the Federation with fair and equal access to participation and personal growth through recreational learning, competitive games, coaching and other programs. The association also provides an adequate platform for those who aspire to be professional volleyball players.
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