The Bermuda Volleyball Association (“BVA”) is taking strides to help increase participation of volleyball among Bermuda’s youth.
In October, the BVA utilized the skills of an international, high performance coach from the North American, Caribbean, Central American Volleyball Association (“NORCECA”). Coach Joao Carlos Campos’s (“Coach Caffé”) mandate is to travel around the Caribbean to islands like Bermuda to assist with the promotion of the sport and the development of local coaches and players of all levels.
The focus of Coach Caffé’s visit in October was the introduction and development of volleyball among Bermuda’s youth. Coach Caffé assisted in various schools’ physical education classes, school teams as well as junior and senior national team training. He had the opportunity to assist at the following schools: Prospect Primary, TN Tatem Middle School, Whitney Institute, Berkeley, Cedarbridge, BHS, Saltus, Warwick & MSA.
MSA teacher & head coach Juanita Blee stated “We appreciated Coach Caffé’s assistance with our practices. It helped to reinforce the basics with the players. It also demonstrated another level of volleyball that some of them were not aware they could accomplish. Coach Caffé helped the players understand that the basics in skills need to be practiced and understood, in order to elevate to the next level.”
“Coach Caffe is an inspiring coach. He is humorous and yet serious with his approach and the students loved it. During his coaching time at BHS the number of students attending our team practices increased especially in the middle school. Even the more skeptical of students were drawn in by his energy and his excitement for the game. BHS would like to thank the BVA for including the schools in Caffe’s schedule and look forward to his further involvement in the future.” Julie Downey, Head of PE, BHS.
Coach Caffé also dedicated time to assisting with junior national team training. “Coach Caffé has been an integral part of the Jr. Girls National Team in our first months of training for the 2016/17 season. He has helped put together a foundation that the team will build on for its future success.” Gary LeBlanc, Head Coach.
Beginning last year, the BVA also became involved in the Dept of Youth, Sport & Recreation’s After School Program. This program has been a great success with coaches visiting various primary schools on the island, and creating a fun, playful sporting experience for students.
The BVA recently provided volleyball equipment donations to various schools to help support and grow volleyball in their schools. Equipment donations included balls, ball carts, pumps, etc. Everything needed to allow kids to enjoy the game. Volleyball at school remains a fundamental tool for the introduction of volleyball to young children through simple game like drills. Volleyball is a terrific way for children to work on team work, cooperation and team spirit in a non-contact environment. It’s a sport that can be played by people of any age, anywhere in the world. The BVA is proud to be a part of sharing this amazing sport with our youth.
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