IN AN effort to sustain and further promote the game of volleyball in the Demerara sub-association and more so in Guyana, the Achievers Volleyball Club, currently at the top tier in the country, hosted their leg of the ongoing weekend second division competition last Sunday at the Guyana National Gymnasium.

The day’s proceedings were sponsored by Payless Variety Store in terms of trophies and medallions for the first- and third-place winners. Apart from that each team was presented with a ball by the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) to encourage the players to keep on playing and encourage others to play as well.
Six teams, including two female teams and four males, participated. The two female teams were Smithers and Rowers while the male teams were Achievers, Achievers 2, Park Rangers Combined and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
In the preliminary rounds, teams made great efforts aiming to get into the finals but in the end, Guyana Defence Force and Achievers who played unbeaten throughout the day to clash in the final.
Achievers won the final 25-19, 25-16 against a formidable opponent.
Earlier in the day, the females tried to outplay each other going neck and neck but in the end that match was won by the Smithers 30-27 over the Rowers.
The MVP trophy was awarded to Crystal Yan, former Guyana Under-19 captain who was impressive in her all-round game.
The other awards went to Best Spiker – Preston Rodney (Achievers), Best Blocker – Mike Adolph (Achievers) and ‘Timing and Jumping’ and Best Setter awards were won by George Grimes (GDF).
This activity was started in the month of July with the aim of getting many teams as possible to play on a regular basis, to further improve the skills level of the players and raise the standard of the game in Demerara – also objectives of the Demerara Volleyball Association and the GVF.
It is headed by the president, Lennie Shuffler who was always present along with his officials at these meetings to support and provide the necessary technical assistance wherever possible.
When this activity commenced its aim was to showcase the game in an open air setting where it can be seen by the public but because of the rainfall over an extended period, it had to be taken indoors to the Guyana National Gymnasium and somewhat hindered other sporting disciplines.
The next level for these meetings is to have the top tiers from Demerara challenge the top tier teams from Berbice, followed by the next three lower-ranked teams from Demerara challenging the three lower-ranked teams from Berbice.
Shuffler was very heartened and encouraged as well as the sponsor Kennard Sahadeo from Payless Variety Store who said he enjoyed it and is willing to sponsor again next year.
He further stated that this can become an annual event and he will continue with sponsorship.
Meanwhile, the GVF is planning to host an international club championship later this year with participants from Suriname, Trinidad and Brazil.