Guyana Volleyball Federation president (GVF), John Flores, yesterday lauded the strides made by the federation during 2014 and said that he expects more success for the sport in 2015 with the calendar set for a series of overseas matches and tournaments which will aid in the development of the national players and the team.
“I would say we have reengaged with both Suriname and French Guiana in a Memorandum of Understanding where the three countries will share in the hosting of games during the upcoming years with Guyana being the first to host a tournament sometime in October 2015,” said Flores during his interview with Stabroek Sports as he opened up about the GVF and its future plans as well as their endeavors during 2014.
Flores said that successful trials for the Under-16 and national club teams, the erection of the international outdoor volleyball court located at Port Mourant which will help to promote the game in Berbice and can be used for international purposes, are among some of the top achievements of the federation.
“On the local scene, we engaged more with the rural areas in their schools while a lot of schools in Georgetown were sending players for the U16 trials. The rural areas have also started playing at a competitive level especially those from St Cuthbert and Lethem, while we have managed to resuscitate Essequibo as they held elections and now have an active body.”
Flores, who has been involved in the sport for numerous years, said that taking over as president from the federation’s long-serving leader Lennox Shuffler earlier in the year was an “easy transition.
“I knew Mr. Shuffler many years so it was an easy transition it was not a huge challenge. I was Development Officer before so it was quite easy.
“The big thing for me was to reconnect with the World Body and I did when I attended the Volleyball Congress in Italy. So I have now reconnected with these bodies and we are currently working closely together now.”
Flores was optimistic of a good year for volleyball and hailed the South American Confederation for the huge effort of standing the cost to have Guyana participate in some of the international or regional tournaments, stating that the South American body had also made promises to further assist Guyana and the neighboring French Guiana during 2015.
Flores said that two main setbacks faced by the federation during 2014 were low-profile public relations which meant that most of the activities were not documented until after competitions and tournaments concluded and the second was that of the overall structure of the clubs which he pointed out will receive a complete overhaul for the new year which means every club will have its own coach and referee.
The GVF has already completed the 2015 calendar which will see the majority of tournaments being played in neighbouring Brazil, Venezuela, French Guyana, Peru and other South American nations. Meanwhile an inter-club tourney, international club games and border matches among the neighboring countries will also be played.
Flores also indicated that the South American body wants to help with coaching and has set up a programme in Venezuela for that purpose while coaches and referee will benefit from a busy year of technical training courtesy of the South American federation’s initiative.
The GVF will also prepare to hold its election of office bearers around January 25 where they will then appoint new members to the executive board.
