By Tamica Garnett

DESPITE a less than satisfactory time for preparatory training, spirits were high as the two male and one female volleyball teams departed Guyana yesterday afternoon for Boa Vista, Brazil to take part in the annual Border Games, scheduled to be held from August 5 – 7. President of the Demerara Volleyball Association, Trevor Williams, who travelled with the team, explained that due to unavoidable circumstances surrounding the use of the practice facility – the National Gymnasium – the teams could not have been given as much training time as we would have hoped for.
The Gymnasium is one of two primary indoor facilities, in Georgetown, being utilised by most sporting disciplines, the other being the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
However, due to the CASH being occupied for some time with the hosting of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships, several sporting disciplines were moved to the Gymnasium, limiting the amount of time any particular sport could have been allotted use of the facility.
This left the volleyball teams at a disadvantage.
“They are prepared, but we could have done better with more practice time. Given that we had to share space with other sporting disciplines in the gymnasium we didn’t get all the training we needed. But the teams have been playing at very good standard, especially the male team,” Williams explained.
The departing teams are the Guyana Defence Force and Young Achievers on the male side, and Vanguard, the lone female team. Each team comprises 12 players and a coach.
More is expected from the male teams. For the female team the focus is more on using the opportunity to give the team some exposure.
“The female team have not been tested enough locally but they’ve been the champions and they’ve played well over the last season or so. However, they need a higher level of competition at this point so it’s going to be interesting for them out there.” Williams explained.
GDF team captain Dester Hoppie, is expecting tough competition from the country which won the volleyball women’s gold and men’s silver at the 2012 Olympic Games.
“Brazil is a tough team at any level, and we’re going to reach teams from three states, Roraima, Amapa and Minas, which are going to be really good teams.” Hoppie said.
He added that “What we’re working on is that we have guys who are familiar with our particular rotation. We try to be innovative in our rotation, so this is our plan against them. You find more of the club teams positioning their players in a particular way; we’ve altered our rotation to suit our strengths so that’s what we’re going for.”
Outside of dealing with the challenges of training, the contingent also faced its own share of financial woes in getting the necessary funds to get the team to the location – a norm for most sports teams leaving Guyana.
Nonetheless, Williams extended heartfelt appreciation to those who did come on board to support, including the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Volleyball Federation, and the players who organised fundraising activities.
Williams, however, remains hopeful that next time around there will be more support from the private sector.
The complete teams are as follows:
GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE: Dester Hoppie (team captain), Jared Douglas, Leslain Baird, Travis Stanley, Abel Moses, Tiffon Douglas, George Adolph, Juan Velazquez, Devon Bowman, Quacy Matherson, Trevon McRae. Coach – Jadeshwar Doolchand
YOUNG ACHIEVERS: Kapil Dev Samaroo, Creston Rodney, Klondyke Rodney, Germain George, Geno Ford, Cleveland Peters, Corwin Richards, Ryan Munroe, Rick Ritchie, Ryan Mangroo, Satrohan Ramnarine, Javid Persaud.. Coach – Dharampall Etwaroo
VANGAURD: Danielle Nikita Samaroo, Leanna Gilkes, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Keisha Bacchus, Teniesha Cort, Kimesha Wallace, Odile Broomes, Soniya, Krysta Amy Yan, Jana Edghill, Subrina Munroe, Mercedes Ford. Coach – Trevor Smith.