Jamaica's beach volleyball duo offers bargains to defend title in Barbados

Jamaica's top beach volleyball pair of Mark Lewis and Donovan Richards, intent on keeping their Olympic dreams alive, will offer free introductory lessons and international visibility in exchange for corporate partnership to attend the finals of the 2010 Sizzlin Sands Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tour scheduled for November 1-7 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

"The Sizzlin Sands Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tour is the Caribbean's premier event of Beach Volleyball, of which Jamaica is the current and many times defending champions. This event will not only serve the purpose of maintaining the number one spot for Jamaica in the regional rankings, but will also help to prepare us for the upcoming FIVB World Cup, sub-group stage," said Lewis.

Lewis noted that the week of activities would also include an annual beach volleyball workshop to be conducted by two of Brazil's most decorated coaches.

It will cost the pair US$2,710 to participate in the Sizzlin Sands tour, for which Lewis and Richards would personally give the sponsors "free sets of lessons... in the well-established business house competitions. We are sure you will enjoy this sport as much as we do and you will appreciate why it drives us," he said.

Lewis noted that he would also keep the sponsors "informed about our training and competition plans and with progress reports with the results we have achieved. We will also keep you apprised of any significant changes in our international rankings and our efforts to become the best we can be".

In terms of national and international visibility, he added: "We can give your company's logo and/or name a prominent space on our beach volleyball bags, caps, and on certain places on our playing, travelling and competition uniforms. Just imagine the spotlight of the number one team in the Caribbean being sponsored by the Caribbean's 'Coolest Beer Company'."

Lewis explains that while their Olympic dream remains, it is "fading with time. The mindset right now is all or nothing for Donovan and I. There will be no half-hearted attempt to put Jamaica on the beach volleyball schedule come London 2012. So far, we have been able to secure partnership arrangements with owners of two venues.

"These are Barbican Beach in the city and Cornwall Beach, Montego Bay. They have offered us their facilities to train and partner in fund-raising activities. The next step now is to secure some financial sponsorships to stimulate the process of raising funds," he said.