Twelve coaches successfully completed the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) Level One Coaching Course held at the Montego Bay Community College from May 18-22.

The course was spearheaded by visiting Brazilian international Coach Augusto Sabbatini, whose visit comes courtesy of the developmental support of the volleyball confederation and regional authorities under which Jamaica falls, NORCECA and CAZOVA, respectively.

Sabbatini was also assisted by Jamaica’s and GC Foster’s Steve Davis, who is a FIVB International Level Two coach.

Leighton Cummings, Jamaica’s only international volleyball referee, imparted knowledge regarding the rules of the game.

The candidates were taught fundamental lessons in defence and offence, with emphasis on the tactical considerations and applications behind the technical lessons.

At the graduation ceremony, Coach Sabbatini encouraged the newly certified coaches to use the new knowledge as a basis for their own thoughts on ways to get better results out of their players. “Do not just take and do what I tell you; apply your own ingenuity and create your own knowledge. What is important is that you produce the desired results consistently.”

Dr Angela Samuels-Harris, principal of Montego Bay Community College, who was the guest of honour at the graduation ceremony, thanked JaVA for planning beyond Kingston and giving opportunity to persons in the western parishes to actively participate in the development of volleyball in Jamaica.

She further noted that Montego Bay Community College has been committed to investing in the progress of the people of Montego Bay and proximate communities, and was therefore delighted to partner with institutions that seek to contribute to this objective.

JaVA President Rudolph Speid congratulated the candidates for exercising the commitment required to attend each day of the course, even at personal sacrifices. He alluded to the local and international praises JaVA received after hosting an Olympic Beach Volleyball Qualifier recently, as he underscored the point that Jamaicans can accomplish what they will and do so at international standard.

He therefore charged the coaches not to stop at securing certification, but to make it count by partnering with JaVA as the association starts the journey to being the best in the world in volleyball and beach volleyball.

“Don’t limit yourselves, believe in yourselves and together we can achieve it,” Speid encouraged the coaches.

The successful coaches were Ricardo Williams, Kevin Williams, O’Mar Williams, Neilkamar Williams, Roan McGrowder, Ian Clarke, Carl Barrett, Raylon Dennis, Ezmond Farquharson, Jerome Bennett, Oranie Adams and Greg Camrie.

Another JaVA Level One Coaching Course is scheduled to take place at Mico Teachers College in Kingston from May 26-29. Over 20 candidates have registered so far for the course, which will will be separated into a 10:00 am – 1:00 pm cohort and a 4:00 – 7:00 pm cohort, to facilitate the needs of the candidates.

Registration will remain open until tomorrow; interested persons may contact JaVA’s Development Manager Major Warrenton Dixon at javasdm123@gmail.com or at 322-0235.