BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar. 07.2018 – THE federation will be represented in volleyball at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The Games, which is scheduled for April, will see media personnel Shawn Seebrooks and St. Clair Hodge competing for glory, assisted by Brazilian coach, Joao Carlos Moraes Campos.
Campos is currently in the federation undertaking a number of training programmes in schools.
Sports Minister, Hon. Shawn Richards at a press conference on Saturday (Mar. 03) congratulated the duo on being chosen to represent the federation.
He wished the team well as they venture on a long journey that will see them competing in several tournaments before making the trip to Australia.
President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Olympic Committee, Alphonso Bridgewater commended the Volleyball Association for qualifying a team for the games.
He said that the association was able to qualify a male team to the Commonwealth Games, and both a male and female team for the Central American and Caribbean Games in July.
“I want to congratulate the gentlemen because at one time we talk about volleyball (indoor) and beach volleyball, the ladies were always ahead of you. There seem to be some sort of movement as far as that is concerned.”
Hodge, while speaking with reporters, said with the team qualifying for Australia it is a dream come through for him and those who promote the sport locally.
He explained that by playing this tournament it highlights that they are one step away from the Olympic Games.
Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games is something they have worked extremely hard to achieve, Hodge disclosed, despite them carrying out their day-to-day jobs.
A top 10-finish in the tournament is their realistic goal, and according to Hodge, it is based on the reality that they are coming up against seasoned campaigners in the sport.
“We have to be realistic; everybody wants to shoot for gold and we are being honest with ourselves and understand who we are coming against. We have actually done a bit of research on some of the teams, and when you follow them on Instagram, you realize that they are professional athletes. So, they play month to month earning a living,” Hodge said.
