Source: BVI Platinum
Vixens (in turquoise) won against School Them in the featured first game of the Opening Ceremony for the VI Volleyball Association Power League 2017. Photo: BVI Platinum
The Virgin Islands Volleyball Association (VIVA) is ready to take the sport from recreational to seriously competing, now having a much bigger pool of talented athletes to choose from.
This year’s 2017 Volleyball season kicked off yesterday, January 28, at the Multipurpose Sports Complex, with a record start, registering a total of 16 teams, the most teams ever to participate in a BVI volleyball tournament.
This was great news for the local association, who will remain vigilant throughout the league, scouting for new talent for the Territory’s national team. The league will run until mid May.
Speaking to BVI Platinum News, President of the Association, Willis Potter stated that this year’s numbers are a proper indication of the impact and awareness of the sport in the Virgin Islands.
The tournament boasts of 10 female teams—5 in the lower division and 5 in the upper division, and 6 male teams, all ranging from the age of 10 to over 50 years old.
Potter said, “With these numbers, this season should be a very competitive one.”
He added, “We are about to move from just playing volleyball for entertainment, to now being serious about competing regionally. We want to move into the competition level as it was in the past.”
The president added, “So with so many persons coming in, it gives us the opportunity to build a strong team, having the chance to pull the most skilled persons from such a big pool.”
Potter further expressed that the BVI is capable of competing with any country in the region, as long as things fall in line.
“We will do that by starting with our grass roots and getting more fresh blood to take over.”
