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Volleyball Coach pleased with local response in SVG
ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, January 4, 2019 - Cuban-born
volleyball coach and FIVB Level One Instructor Francisco Cruz
Jimenez is pleased with his stint working with the St Vincent
and the Grenadines Volleyball Association (SVGVA).
Since arriving last October, Jimenez has worked with schools and
community teams throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),
as well as the national teams.
Assessing the progress of his charges, Jimenez related, “the
men’s team and the junior women’s team are improving too…They
are coming on nicely.”
Speaking specifically about men’s national team, Jimenez
commented, “Every player is in very good condition....They are
tall, they have good general physical condition which helps
them.”
The Cuban coach also lauded their willingness to learn, despite
the absence of many support systems.
“They come to practice without a stipend but they show interest.
They don’t have an indoor court, but use what they have and that
is good,” Jimenez commended, as be at times struggled with his
English.
Jimenez is on the facility available. Jimenez observed, “After
5:30 (pm) here (the Girls’ High School hard court) you toss the
ball and the ball moves, because of the wind. So that affects
their precision. It affects the setter, it affects the spiker”.
Jimenez said that since arriving in SVG, he has been well cared
by the executive of the SVGVA for which he is grateful.
Commending the work of the SVGVA executive, Jimenez is calling
for greater support for the sport.
“The (SVG Volleyball) association needs to get more
support….They need to apply to the FIVB and NORCECA too, for
more assistance,” Jimenez proposed.
Jimenez thinks that such support is mandatory as St Vincent and
the Grenadines volleyball is making progress, mainly through the
achievements of the senior men’s team and the programs of the
SVGVA.
The SVG senior men’s team has again qualified for the
inter-continental championship later this year in Cuba, having
won the Eastern Caribbean. |
