Marte Hoffiz explains reasons for progress in NORCECA

CAGLIARI, Italy, October 30, 2014 – NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz sees a bright future for the confederation as a result of a development programme started in 2008 based on three pillars: Structure, Instruction and Competition.

Marte Hoffiz, who is also First Executive Vice President of FIVB, presented a report of NORCECA activities during the workshop for National Federations category I and II organized on the occasion of the 34^th FIVB World Congress on Friday and Saturday.

“First of all we must have well organized national federation as well as good zonal associations within the continental confederation,” Marte Hoffiz explained. “Then you must educate them with proper seminars directed to players, coaches, referees and managers and, finally, give the countries the opportunity to compete at all levels.”

He thanked FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° for the support towards NORCECA and said to be proud anytime Dr.  Graça mentions NORCECA as a role model for the rest of the world.

“We have an annual beach volleyball tour and our volleyball teams take part in all FIVB competitions at all levels and last year we organized 41 volleyball tournaments and 14 beach volleyball events,” he said.

“Now we have seven instructors travelling around our countries and staying for one-month periods to help the preparation of national teams,” he added.

Marte Hoffiz pointed out the case of St Lucia, a tiny island in the Caribbean whose girl’s team qualified to the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.

“Now we are going to have 38 countries participating in the Continental Cup towards Rio de Janeiro Games,” Marte Hoffiz continued saying.

He then introduced Brian Louisy, president of St Lucia Volleyball Federation, who explained their expansion plan for volleyball and beach volleyball based on the support they are receiving from NORCECA, FIVB, Government, Private Enterprises as well as volunteers and parents.

“We started working with the secondary schools students but next year we are going to expand our programme to the primary schools as a form to attract the children to our sport,” Louisy said.

He also said the qualification of the girl’s team to Nanjing helped to argue his case for beach volleyball to be included in the programme of the 2017 Commonwealth Games to be held in St Lucia.

“We are getting fantastic support and the girls have served as inspiration to the young generation so their participation in Nanjing has been extremely valuable,” Louisy commented.