THE Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) strengthened its investment in the primary level programme yesterday when international level three coach Jesse Knight of Canada began his one-week coaching clinic for primary and preparatory schools at the National Arena.

A full-time coach at Calgary University in Canada, Knight will spend two days at the National Arena, before heading to Church Teachers’ College in Manchester and Mannings High in Westmoreland.

“The true legacy of my effort is to help the coaches sustain this programme for more than the week I’ll be here,” said Knight, whose principles of success include flow in the zone, perseverance, and recovery on court.

His comments follow a press conference at the National Arena where Jamaica Olympic Association president, Mike Fennell was in attendance.

Knight will bring hands-on experience to his coaching skills, with focus on skills development and ensure that the players play a lot. “I’ll have the coaches on court and explain to them why, as the athletes get some technical help,” he said.

Knight, who comes highly recommended, has some understanding of the Jamaican culture, as his best friend and three of his nieces are Jamaicans and the area where he is from in Hamilton, Ontario, boasts a strong West Indian community.

With experience at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States and guiding teams to three national titles in Canada, Knight will also share his philosophy with coaches, as JaVA prepares to launch its inaugural national Under-13 programme for prep and primary schools early next year.

Knight, who believes that “success is guided by principles and consistency” will be at Church Teachers’ College on December 15-16 for schools in Manchester, Clarendon and St Elizabeth, and Mannings High on December 17-18 for schools in Westmoreland and St James.

The Canadian High Commission will support Knight during his stay in Jamaica.

Their High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan said: “We will help coach Knight with his accommodation and other expenses. Volleyball is a great sport because of the team nature, because it’s a male/female sport… but most important is the interaction with the association,” he explained.

Meanwhile, JaVA president Major Warrenton Dixon added: “This means we are injecting quality into our programme. We have to look at best practices and what is being done internationally and Jesse has the technical skill.

“I saw him with some guys from Venus over the weekend. In just about 10-15 minutes it was amazing, the level of coaching difference that he has,” added Dixon, intent of taking volleyball out of the minor sports bracket and put it next to football.

Major Dixon also noted that an American coach has also shown interest in the national programme and with JaVA about to have its own court at the National Stadium next year, the association will set out on the journey of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Schools and institutions involved in the clinic at the National Arena yesterday include Excelsior Primary, Kings Gate Prep, Old Harbour High, Mico University, Naggo’s Head Primary, Jamaica Defence Force, and Special Olympics players from Windsor, Carberry Court, and Ability.