The Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) is now in the business of recruiting professional overseas players as a means of enhancing the country’s competitiveness.

With volleyball not having as big a mark on the local map as more traditional sports such as football, track and field, and cricket, the recently elected president of the local body, Steve Brown, is seeking to change that.

“We have some players whose parents are Jamaicans, we have some players who were born here and went abroad and they are playing pro. So we have invited those players to come back and represent Jamaica,” he said at a recent Jamaica Observer Sports Club forum.

Despite being strapped for cash, the association has already invited six overseas-based players to join 21 local-based players to start preparations for the women’s World Championships play-offs in Canada in May.

The Caribbean Volleyball Championships for men and women follow in July in Trinidad & Tobago.

Among the six are Randi Ewing, daughter of popular former NBA star Patrick Ewing, track & field star turned-volleyball player Lecia Brown, Karensa Beckford, sisters Gillian and Simone Asque, who both play in the pro-league in Denmark, and defensive star Jasmine Eatman.

“We are trying to get those players here. Now, to get them here we have to pay for them to come here, for their accommodation and have them in camps here before flying them to Canada to take part in the tournament, so we really need some financial backing,” said the volleyball president.

National head coach Gatasheu Bonner said he is excited about having these players join the team.

“In 2009 we had one player who came and did well. In 2010 we had another player who came and did well. This year we invited six players. What it shows is that we are growing; before, we had a very small team and the more advanced players got scholarships and went away.

“The team is getting better, volleyball is a sport for tall persons, our players are short, but very athletic, so with the inclusion of these players, because they have played at the highest level, you find that they will be tall; they will strengthen the team, but even though they have played in pro leagues we have to see them first,” Bonner continued.

These players will be vital to the national set-up and its competitive thrust and also prevent a recurrence of the team going to a championship short on human resources. The overseas-based players will enter a local camp in March ahead of the selection of the teams for the upcoming tournaments.

“In volleyball, chemistry is very important, so we won’t be able to train these players the way we want to, so hopefully they will use professionalism and adjust very quickly,” said the coach.

The squad will be reduced to 22 in April, and then the final 14 will be selected in May.

Other members of the team are schoolgirls Shenell Walker of Wolmer’s and Alpha’s Patrice McLean, Kai Wright, Shedeiky Hamilton Wright, Kamille Dwyer, Ffion Fletcher, Rene Temple, Solene Walker, Stacey-Ann Facey, Nadrake Hutchinson, Latoya Headley, Sashane Watson, Tiffany Clarke, Sashalee Wallen, Joylene Thompson, Naima Stennet, Makini Thompson, Avawiki Campbell, Britanny Scott, Tasha gaye Richards and Cherie Thompson.