LAST Friday, children aged 9-13 years benefited from a one-day Mini-Volleyball Festival, organised by the Berbice Volleyball Association.

The ‘Festival’ was held at the Area “H” Ground in Port Mourant and conducted by BVA treasurer, Godwyn Allicock, who was ably assisted by national U-19 players Vashti Pooran, Darshnie Pooran and Devendra Motiepersaud.
The children from Courtland Primary, Cropper Primary, Belvedere Primary, Fyrish Primary, Albion Primary, Rose Hall Town Primary, Port Mourant Primary, Tain Primary, Auchlyne Primary, Lower Corentyne Sec., Port Mourant Sec., JC Chandisingh Sec., Corentyne Comprenensive High, Manchester Sec., and Winifred Gaskin Secondary were informed about the History of Volleyball, the role of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the aims of Mini-Volleyball Festivals, the role of the BVA (Berbice Volleyball Association) & the Guyana Volleyball  Federation and were introduced to basic volleyball drills with the emphasis on the “overhead finger pass”.
They had lots of fun playing in the brilliant sunshine on the courts marked out on the field and at the conclusion of the ‘Festival’ the students and teachers all expressed their joy and satisfaction in being involved in the event.
They further said they are willing to learn more and plan to organise practice sessions after school so that teachers and students can hone their skills to participate in friendly competition among themselves.
‘Festival’ coordinator Godwyn Allicock said he was happy and overwhelmed with the level of interest and enthusiasm displayed by the students and their teachers and in expressing thanks to all for participating, he promised that the BVA will continue to monitor the game in the said schools.
He expressed special thanks to the Reg. 6 Regional Education Officer, all the head teachers of the invited schools, the teachers that accompanied the students, the Rose Hall Town Interim Town Council, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, the Port Mourant Training Centre, the presidents of the BVA and the GVF, the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Department and the FIVB.
All of the participating schools received two kits: a volley ball and a FIVB Development Net. A similar ‘Festival’ is being planned for schools in the West Berbice area.