The Cayman Islands is now a premier destination for world class beach volleyball action.
Affirmation of which was provided at the last congress of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation held in Punta Can, Dominican Republic.
President of the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation Noel Williams was presented an award by International Volleyball Federation Vice President and NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz and NORCECA Beach Volleyball President Arnaldo Sanchez naming the Cayman Islands the best host country of beach volleyball over the past two years.
Williams states many international spikers have expressed a desire to play here.
“We have really worked very hard to be the best we can be with what we have,” Williams said. “The athletes, our sponsoring community, which includes the government, the many locals and residents who come out to cheer, our beautiful location and legendary Cayman hospitality have made our visiting athletes and officials so happy that Cayman is regarded as a treasured host. Our regional athletes and officials actually vie to come to a Cayman-hosted event.”
At the November congress, Cayman was offered prized host nation status for the NORCECA/FIVB Continental Cup Olympic Qualifier in December last year at short notice. Cayman’s national beach volleyball teams (who consisted of Cristin Alexander, Jennifer Bily, Taylor Burrowes, Richard Campbell, Philippe Deslandes, Stefania Gandolfi, Shervin Rankin and Olney Thompson) achieved its highest international ranking at that event, grasping an opportunity to attend the Cup semi-finals in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
In the past weeks, Cayman has been offered an opportunity to be a qualifying host in the world championships for indoor volleyball, a chance to be host for the Pan American Games (for beach volleyball) and an opportunity to host the NORCECA circuit finals this year in December. The NORCECA circuit encompasses 15 games over 12 countries.
Williams states Cayman has much to gain from those opportunities.
“We are contributing to the laying of a foundation for the staging of world championships, fitting the emerging national objective of a vibrant sports tourism component. The performance of our national teams is benefitting significantly from these developments. I thank international tournament director Fareed Hosein, site and international games manager Carl Brenton and the entire volleyball federation board. They have been instrumental in us reaching so far so quickly.
“I also thank the numerous volunteers who have been giving unselfishly of their time and making it a continued success.”
Source: www.compasscayman.com