Conscious of the effort to ensure the best possible players are selected to represent the county this weekend against Berbice, the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) will commence three days of trials from today at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
A group of 30 male players and eight females will undergo three days of rigorous training under the guidance of the DVA’s five-member Technical Committee, headed by coach of Young Achievers Volleyball Club, Devendra Samaroo.
Trevor Williams
Trials are slated for this afternoon from 17:30h; Thursday from 11:00h and Friday from 17:30h. Thereafter, a male and female team will be selected to face their counterparts from the Ancient County on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, commencing at 10:00h.
The Berbice Volleyball Association had also hosted its inter-schools competition, from which their teams were derived.
The players selected by the DVA were drawn from the recently concluded school championships hosted by the association, and which was won by Queens College. The format of the competition saw schools from West Demerara, Linden and Georgetown competing within their jurisdiction, with the winners and runners-up advancing to the county-final, which was held last Saturday also, at the National Gymnasium.
At the conclusion of the championships last weekend, the DVA announced the names of the players who were identified to attend trials.
On the male side, the players are Patrice Agrippa, Shemar Gray, Terrence Groenhart, Otho Harris, Mark July, Leon Ross, Kristoff Shepherd and Akil Vaughn of St Roses High; Alexandre de Faiva Almeida, Joshua Brazao and Jahleel Young of Marian Academy; Aminiki Buntin, Keyshawn Dey, David Fiedtkon, Keivon McPherson, Colin Small and Akinni Wilson of Christianburg/Wismar Secondary; Kadeem Bowen, Chavex Fleming, Nicholas Newais and Alex Winter of St Stanislaus College; Ronaldo Delacruz, Nolan Craig and Cleveland Jonas of Linden Foundation Secondary; Clement Choo Shee Nam of Queens College; Tyric McAllister of New Silvercity Secondary; Quamie July of The Bishops’ High School; Domaine Grant of Patentia Secondary; and Omalie Fraser and Aaron Sewpersaud of West Demerara Secondary.
On the distaff side, Daniella Headley, Erica Lindore and Joyann Richards of Linden Foundation Secondary; Kimberly Alberts and Cherry-Ann Fraser of St Roses High; Tiffany Baveghems and Rolance Johnson of New Silvercity Secondary; and Melissa Gonsalves of Marian Academy were selected to trials.
While a Head Coach and assistant in the persons of DVA Vice-president Ian Wills and St Rose’s High Physical Education teacher Alque Stanley respectively have been given the task of leading the male unit. Officials for the female team are yet to be named.
Commenting on the DVA’s ability to successfully pull off a major school tournament within the county after years of dormancy and being able to select a youth team to represent the association this weekend, newly elected president, Trevor Williams, said it is testimony of the work the members have put in over the past few months.
“[It is] a huge success for volleyball in Demerara [and] a strong indication of the potential that exists and the present talent pool available. In a few months we have taken volleyball a long way and we’re just about getting started,” Williams told this publication.
He added, “The selection and preparation of a Demerara team is another fantastic achievement and it leaves a good pathway for future endeavours. I have great expectations for this team and upsetting Berbice is not beyond our reach.”
Williams added that other major activities are planned by the DVA, most of which will help to spur the growth and development of the sport in the county.
“With a tertiary tournament, a school league and an open league in planning we are well on our way to making volleyball an extremely popular sport in Guyana and thus reaching new heights,” Williams declared. ([email protected])
