PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA), Major Warrenton Dixon, believes the national Under-13 programme will get a significant boost following the third staging of the Primary/Prep School Volleyball League.

Savanna-la-Mar Primary secured the all-island title last Friday by dismissing Greater Portmore Primary, 25-17, 25-18, in the final at the Stadium Complex.

Dixon was particularly pleased with the commitment of teachers: “Our players are learning the game a lot earlier and we’re identifying skilled and very tall players for the National Under-13 Programme. But the efforts of the teachers in this… competition is our biggest success to date,” Dixon said.

Dixon’s praise came against the background that he was not personally involved in the running of the competition this season.

Visiting international coach, Professor Reed Sunahara, sent by NORCECA (North American, Central and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) to work with JaVA in November, and FIVB instructor professor Athanasios Papageorgiou, a 42-year veteran at the German Sports University and Professor at the World Organisation for Disabled Volleyball, were guests of honour at the National Finals.

Prof Sunahara, who spent three weeks conducting coaching clinics island-wide, gave an assessment of the young players.

“When compared to the first time I worked with these players, they have shown significant improvement. I clearly see most teams trying to exercise control over the ball and use their three touches before playing the ball across the net.”

Prof Papageorgiou, though pleased with the emphasis at the grassroots level, advised focus on mini-volleyball where children three to four-years-old play on a smaller court.

Savanna-la-mar players copped the competition’s MVP award and president’s Madd Skills Award in skipper Christopher Miller and teammate Alvarez Cooper.

Twenty three schools from St Thomas, St James, St Ann, St Catherine and Westmoreland took part in the competition, which received funding from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF).

Education Building Officer Derran Lee sponsored the Westmoreland competition while Juici Patties and Jamaica Blue Spring Water lent support to the National Finals.

Lyssons Primary finished third, ahead of Unity, Irwin, Anchovy, Invertness, Holly Hill, Servite, Port Morant, Kings, Golden Grove and Runaway Bay Primary schools.