The recently concluded ECVA Under-20 Beach Volleyball Championships gave member territories an opportunity to train new coaches and to help current coaches and referees improve their skills. Five Saint Lucians took part in the three courses, all held in St Kitts & Nevis.
The Marriott Hotel in Frigate Bay hosted the FIVB Beach Volleyball Coaches Course, the Advanced Beach Volleyball Course, the Beach Volleyball National Referee Course, and the Beach Volleyball International Continental Referee Course.
Terry Verdant, head coach of the Saint Lucia team that won gold in the men’s event and bronze in the women’s event at Frigate Bay, completed the advanced coaching course. Volleyball Saint Lucia also welcomed three new certified coaches: Reala Montoute, Utilla Prosper-Charles and Fedel Aurelise.
The three joined 25 participants from around the region for five days of learning, study, hands-on activities and physical training with Mark Kontopoulos. Kontopoulos is an FIVB Instructor and international coach educator with over 25 years of experience in both beach volleyball and volleyball.
They learned modern coaching methods and improved their technical and tactical understanding of the sport.
ECVA president Glenn Quinlan spoke about the importance of coaching to the region’s volleyball development. Dennis “Freddie” Knight, NOC President and PanAm Sports Executive Board member, also attended, along with instructors Mark Kontopoulos and Rick Bevis.
“Development will always remain at the heart of ECVA’s mission. By investing in our coaches, we invest directly in our athletes and the future of volleyball in the Eastern Caribbean,” Quinlan said.
Although no Saint Lucians completed the National Referee Course, Keam Charlery from Saint Lucia was one of the two facilitators. The course was coordinated by Reginald Willemsberg.
Participants took part in classroom sessions, gained practical experience during the championship and received certificates for completing the course.
