WITH the Under-20 and Under-21 Caribbean Volleyball Championships set for July to August, the local governing body has already put 48 men and women in training with the hope of qualifying for the 2013 World Championships.

President of the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) Major Warrenton Dixon is eager to host both competitions, preferably in August, to pump life in the sport islandwide.

He is estimating that it will cost $9 million to stage the competitions, the Under-20 being for women and the Under-21 for men.

“Our junior male team is made up of some very talented guys who could likely bring glory to Jamaica by winning the championships.

“Hosting… would go a long way to promote the interest of volleyball locally as it would give our school children a chance to view competitive volleyball at this level,” explained Major Dixon.

“Additionally, our young athletes will be afforded the satisfaction of having their families and friends supporting and cheering for them as they play,” he added.

JaVA, meanwhile, has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to attract “morale and financial support” for the regional event.

Training, which started on February 12, will take place at the Volleyball Development Centre, National Stadium Complex from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on Saturdays.

Efforts are also being made to conduct training sessions in Western Jamaica for players residing there.

Males invitees: Ryck Webb, Michael Walker, Tarik Bailey, Meschach McKnight, Jovanny Clarke, Kemar Byfield and Matthew Blake of St Jago; Jermaine Ricketts, Kistopher Thompson, Nickolaus Richards, Ashani Miller, Mikhail Palmer, Phillip Malcolm of Wolmer’s; Shaun Hosang, Zhanoy Williams, Delona White, Fabian Bennett, Davion Palmer, Chezrick McKenzie, Kevoy Whittaker of Knox College; Aseem Allwood, Okacha Tulloch, Ackeen West, and Nicholas Whatle of Old Harbour.

Women invitees: Tiffany Clarke of St Andrew; Solene Walker, Lamise Hamilton of Old Harbour High; Sadeika Romans-Smith, Deandrea Cameron, Abbie-Gail Raymond, Sade Collins of S Jago; Yvonne Foster, Tiffany Blake of Meadowbrook; Vanessa Jones, Kimberly Simmonds, Jhomar Royal, Shenelle Walker, Kerin Grant, Shade Chambers of Wolmer’s; Janique Hendricks, Patrice McLean, Kriss-Ann Barnes, Merissa Myers of Alpha; Samantha Currier, Vanessa James, Cavel Bell-Davis of Camperdown; and Karina Max-Brown of Hillel.