Although volleyball in Anguilla was a prominent sport in past years, it has generally waned to a stage where it is almost dormant.
However, under the auspices of Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) provision is now being made to have the sport revived, perhaps to be on par with many of the other sports like football, basketball, netball and softball.
Hailing from the Seychelles Islands, in the Indian Ocean, is Mr. Bernard Denis, a certified coach, who has been coaching volleyball for most of his life.
On Thursday, September 13th, a team of excited youth gathered at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium to be trained by Coach Denis, who remarked: “The FIVB offered a training project which the Anguilla Volleyball Association applied for and was successful to obtain. As an International Volleyball Instructor, I was assigned by the FIVB to conduct these coaching sessions. I am pleased to see the turnout and the interest that these children have in the sport. The youth must love what they play. As long as I can get them to love the sport, and enjoy the game, I can train them and help them to advance in volleyball.”
Mr. Denis pointed out that he is available to train interested persons in volleyball, no matter how young or how old they might be. “I will be training groups for three months on four levels,” he explained. “These will comprise primary school and high school students and two adult groups from beginners to advanced players. So I have four main groups to coach, and they all have different objectives: the small ones are learning to enjoy the game; the high school kids are trying to learn the skills; the adult beginners are trying to learn the sport; and the advanced ones are trying to improve on their skills to be in a position to compete in the sport.”
Mr. Jason Lyburd, President of the Anguilla Volleyball Association on behalf of the Association, the Vice President, Ms. Eva Hodge and himself, made presentations of balls to the schools. The contributions were received by Mr. Winston Duncan of the Department of Education and former President of the Volleyball Association. In making the presentation, Mr. Lyburd commented:
“Mr. Denis is actually in Anguilla for the purpose of developing volleyball to a higher level. He will be visiting the primary schools and the high school, doing coaching for the better part of three months. We have ninety balls that we are presenting to the schools through the Department of Education. These will be distributed to seven primary schools and the high school.”
The Anguillian chanced to speak with local coach Ian “Tucker” Connor who noted: “As Mr. Denis teaches us, we have quite a lot to learn. He has gained a vast amount of experience from where he has come and, as local coaches, we want to tap into his experience. I hope to learn many new techniques so that I can impart them to the children, especially. I expect to bring volleyball up to a real high level.”
Asked whether he thought volleyball was dormant or inactive on the island, Mr. Connor replied: “I would not say it is dormant, but over the years it has fallen off a lot. We still play, but only the older folks are playing. We have always longed for more youth to be involved, and now that time has come through the able coaching of Mr. Bernard Denis.”
The Anguillian wishes Mr. Denis great success in his efforts to revamp the volleyball sport and thanks him through the FIVB for his efforts in training our youngsters.
