Jamaica's beach volleyball teams are set to compete at the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from October 2 – 4, 2024. This is the first NORCECA Tour since the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Jamaica has steadily built a reputation in regional beach volleyball, with the national teams achieving notable results in recent years. Jamaica made it to the final round of Olympic Qualifications in 2016 in the
women’s category. More recently Jamaica’s beach volleyball teams competed at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador El Salvador.
The campaign to qualify for beach volleyball at the Olympic Games, Los Angeles 2028 represents a new chapter for Jamaica’s beach volleyball, one that will take Jamaica’s players to international qualifying
events, giving them the opportunity to face world-class talent and gain invaluable experience.
Jamaica’s male team will be represented by Ryck Webb and Mark Blake. Both players were recipients of individual awards at the 2023 CAZOVA Senior Men’s Championship and competed at the 2023 CAC
Games.
Jamaica’s female team will be represented by experienced campaigner Petal Smith and newcomer Kristina Lumsden-Miller who was a member of the Jamaica’s history making Senior Women’s Volleyball Team who created history by winning the 2023 CAZOCA Senior Women’s Championship.
The Jamaica Volleyball Association is calling on corporate Jamaica and fans to rally behind the national beach volleyball teams as they embark on this exciting journey. Sponsorship opportunities are available,
offering companies and brands the chance to align with one of the nation’s most promising sporting campaigns.
Barbados and Jamaica emerged as the champions in the boys' and girls' divisions, respectively, as the curtains came down on the 2024 CAZOVA U19 Boys and Girls Zonal Championships at the GC Foster College in St. Catherine, Jamaica, on Sunday.
In a thrilling boys' final, Barbados demonstrated remarkable resilience by coming from two sets down to defeat Trinidad and Tobago. The Barbadian boys showcased their fighting spirit and strategic prowess, eventually securing the championship with a 20-25, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 15-12 victory. Barbados earned their place in the final by overcoming the hosts, Jamaica, in straight sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-13) in the semi-finals.
On the girls' side, hosts Jamaica claimed the championship title with an impressive performance against Trinidad and Tobago. The Jamaican girls won the final in four sets, 25-21, 25-23, 24-26, 25-14, showcasing their dominance and skill throughout the tournament.
Jamaica’s boys finished fourth after a hard-fought match against the US Virgin Islands (USVI) in the playoff for third place. In an enthralling encounter, USVI edged out Jamaica 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 15-9. However, the USVI girls' team was not as fortunate, as they were defeated by Barbados in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-23) in a keenly contested match.
The teams that will battle for the 2024 CAZOVA Zonal Under-19 Men’s and Women’s Championships were decided in the semifinals of the tournament at the GC Foster College in Spanish Town on Friday.
Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados will do battle for the men’s crown after convincing semifinal straight set victories over the US Virgin Islands and Jamaica, respectively.
Despite finishing in three sets, the match between T&T and USVI was about as competitive as you can get.
Trinidad & Tobago won the first set 25-23 before taking the next two 25-21 and 25-22, respectively.
The match between Jamaica and Barbados was competitive for two of the three sets. Barbados won the first 25-20 before winning the second 25-21. The third set was the least competitive, with the Bajans winning 25-13.
On the women’s side, hosts Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago made it to the final after five set wins over USVI and Barbados, respectively.
Jamaica won the first set 25-20 before USVI levelled proceedings with a 25-19 second set win.
Jamaica were back to their dominant best with a 25-15 third set victory before, once again, USVI showed grit and determination to tie things up a 2-2 with a 25-23 win in the fourth set.
The fifth set was also close, with the hosts eventually winning 15-10.
Trinidad & Tobago showed grit and determination of their own in different circumstances. They played an excellent first two sets, winning them 25-21 and 25-16 to go 2-0 up. Barbados battled back, however, with a 25-23 win in the third set and 25-22 win in the fourth to set up a deciding fifth.
In the end, only two points separated them with T&T winning the final set 15-13 to secure a spot in the final.
The finals are scheduled for Monday, August 5.
The remaining semifinalists were decided as action continued in the Men’s and Women’s CAZOVA Under-19 Zonal Championships at the GC Foster College in Spanish Town, Jamaica on Wednesday.
The men’s side saw hosts Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago automatically book spots in the semifinals after winning their respective preliminary groups on Monday while on the women’s side, the US Virgin Islands and Barbados advanced to the final four as group winners.
On Wednesday, Barbados secured their spot in the final four of the men’s tournament with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aruba in their quarterfinal clash.
The Bajans dominated throughout the match, holding the Arubans to less than ten points in two of the three sets. The final score was 25-9, 25-11 and 25-8.
They will play Jamaica in the semifinals on Friday.
The US Virgin Islands will play Trinidad and Tobago in the other semifinal after securing their spot with a straight set win over the Cayman Islands. USVI won the sets 25-14, 25-21 and 25-21.
On the women’s side, hosts Jamaica secured a date with the US Virgin Islands in the last four on Friday with a straight set win over Aruba in the quarters.
In a dominant display, the Jamaicans held Aruba under ten points in each of the three sets. They won the first 25-7 before winning the next two 25-8 and 25-5.
The other semifinal will be contested between Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago after the latter defeated Curacao in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
The first two sets were hotly contested before the Trinidadians rallied to dominate the third set and secure the win.
They won the first set 25-19 before Curacao showed an improved effort in the second, eventually losing 22-25 before T&T won the third 25-14.
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago both booked spots in the last four of the 2024 CAZOVA U19 Boys Zonal Championship with wins over the US Virgin Islands and Barbados, respectively, on Monday at the GC Foster College in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
The hosts came from behind twice to secure a 3-2 win over USVI and secure top spot in Pool A and a spot in the semi-finals.
USVI took the first set 25-23 before Jamaica levelled proceedings with a 25-22 victory in the second set.
A close third set saw USVI win 26-24 to take a 2-1 lead before Jamaica roared back once again with a 25-20 win in the fourth set.
The hosts then took the fifth set 15-11. USVI will also advance to the semis after finishing second Pool A.
Trinidad & Tobago had an easier time of it than the Jamaicans, defeating Barbados 3-1 to top Pool B.
T&T won the first set 25-22 before Barbados tied things up with a 26-24 second set win. Trinidad & Tobago then won the next two sets 26-24 and 25-22 to secure their spot in the final four. Barbados and the Cayman Islands will determine who joins them in the semis from Pool B in the last preliminary round match.
In the CAZOVA U19 Girls Zonal Championship, the US Virgin Islands booked a spot in the semifinals with a 3-0 win over Curacao on Monday.
They won the sets 25-12, 25-10 and 25-12 to top Group B ahead of Curacao and Aruba who will face off to determine the other semifinalist from the group.
Barbados defeated hosts Jamaica on Sunday to book their spot in the semifinals from Group A.
The Bajans recovered from a 23-25 first set loss to win the next three sets 25-23, 25-17 and 25-21 and book their spot in the semis.
Jamaica, who were playing their first game in the tournament, will face Trinidad & Tobago to see who will join Barbados in the semis.
Barbados defeated T&T 3-1 to open the tournament on Saturday.
In the opening round of the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Under-19 Boys and Girls Championships in Spanish Town, Jamaica, the Barbadian women’s team and the Jamaican men’s team secured victories on Saturday. Trinidad and Tobago's Under-19 women's volleyball team suffered a 3-1 defeat to Barbados, while hosts Jamaica's men blanked Aruba 25-21, 25-22, 25-20 in their opening match.
The six-time champions, T&T, struggled to find their rhythm early on in their first match of the preliminary rounds in Pool 'A' at the GC Foster College. The Barbadian team capitalized on this, taking the first set 25-17.
In the second set, T&T seemed to regain their footing, building a promising 13-8 lead. However, the Bajans demonstrated resilience, leveling the scores at 13-apiece and then surging ahead to win the set 25-21, thus securing a 2-0 lead in the match.
Determined to stay in the game, T&T mounted a comeback in the third set, winning 25-16 and reviving their hopes of turning the match around. This spirited performance extended the match to a fourth set. However, Barbados delivered a commanding performance in the fourth set, sealing their victory with a 25-13 win.
With this loss, T&T's path to the semifinals now hinges on their next match against host nation Jamaica. A victory is crucial for T&T to advance in the tournament.
Adding to the excitement of the opening round, Jamaica's men’s team delivered a strong performance against Aruba, winning their match in straight sets with scores of 25-21, 25-22, and 25-20. This victory set a positive tone for the host nation in the championships.
In other action on Saturday, the lone boys' match featured host Jamaica facing Curacao, adding to the competitive spirit of the championships. The wins for Barbados Women and Jamaica's Men have set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
The Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) is thrilled to unveil the official rosters for the Jamaican U19 Boys and Girls teams set to compete in the 2024 CAZOVA U19 Boys and Girls Volleyball Championships. The prestigious event will be hosted at GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sport from July 26 to August 4, 2024, promising an exciting showcase of young talent.
The Championship will bring together teams from across the CAZOVA region, competing fiercely for the coveted title. For Jamaica, this tournament presents an excellent platform for young athletes to gain invaluable international experience and exposure. The selected players, having undergone rigorous preparation, are eager to demonstrate their skills and represent their country on home soil, buoyed by the enthusiastic support of local fans.
Leading the charge for the Jamaica U19 Boys Team is Toshiro Jones from Wolmer’s High School for Boys, who will serve as the captain. Jones is joined by Joshua Auboine of Oracabessa High School, Schillachi Batchelor from St. Jago High School, and Jordyn-Rhy Davis of Jamaica College. Renaldo Doeman from Mannings School, David Douglas of Wolmer’s High School for Boys, and Malik Ferron and Ajani Gordon, both from St. Jago High School, will also be key players. The team is rounded out by Jantje Neil and Edward Sterling from Wolmer’s High School for Boys, Ithran Softley from Papine High School, and Nicholas Watson of Suncoast Community High School. Guiding the boys through the competition will be Head Coach Adrian Ramdeen, supported by Assistant Coach Adrian James and Team Manager Travis Clarke.
The Jamaica U19 Girls Team features Kalia Baker from Paint Branch High School as the captain. Baker will lead a dynamic group that includes Ria Bertram of Campion College, Patrina Chisholm from Wolmer’s High School for Girls, and Morgan Esmie of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. Tashari Gordon from Knox College, Jada-Lee Grant from St. Jago High School, and Mary Massias from The Rock School will add strength to the lineup. Winnifred Mitchell from Stouffville District Secondary School, Quaciann Stewart from Wolmer’s High School for Girls, and Treviann Taylor from Knox College will also bring their talents to the court. Completing the team are Ava Grace Troyer from Hiland High School and Hadijah Wallace from Knox College. Leading the girls' squad is Head Coach O’Neil Ebanks, with Colin Rose as the Assistant Coach and Erica Harris serving as Team Manager.
As the Jamaican teams gear up for the 2024 CAZOVA U19 Boys and Girls Volleyball Championships, the anticipation and excitement build. The local support is expected to be a crucial factor in their performance, driving them to showcase their best on this international stage. This championship is more than just a competition; it's a chance for these young athletes to make their mark and potentially set the foundation for a bright future in volleyball.
In a groundbreaking move for Jamaican volleyball, Aiko Jones has signed a professional contract with the Atlanta Vibe, becoming the first Jamaican-born player to join the Volleyball Pro League in the United States. Jones, a 6-foot-2 opposite hitter, has had an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and is set to make her mark in the professional arena.
The Atlanta Vibe, a professional indoor volleyball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, competes in the Pro Volleyball Federation. They began their journey in the league's inaugural 2024 season and play their home games at Gas South Arena in nearby Duluth. Jones’ addition to the team is expected to bolster their roster, bringing her extensive experience and dynamic playing style to the professional level.
Jones, born on August 12, 1999, in Kingston, Jamaica, attended Wolmers Girls' School where she excelled not only in volleyball but also in athletics, particularly in field events. Her volleyball journey is a continuation of a family legacy, as her parents, broadcaster Paula-Anne Porter-Jones and Dr Thaon Jon Jones, also excelled in the sport.
"Playing professional volleyball had been a goal of mine since I stepped foot on that court at Marescaux Road. Signing this contract is just another step towards that goal. The work continues and I am ready to continue to give my all," she told Sportsmax.TV.
She first hinted at the development on social media.
“What are the odds I signed my first professional contract in the same stadium I stood in front of #CardNation for the first time?” Jones posted on X on Sunday.
During her tenure with the Louisville Cardinals, Jones developed into a formidable force on the court. In 2023, she earned AVCA All-East Region honors and was named to the All-ACC Second Team. Playing in 112 sets, she recorded 249 kills with a hitting percentage of .260, along with 15 assists, 27 aces, 147 digs, and 86 blocks. Her season-high performance included 13 kills against Florida State.
The previous year, Jones was a key player for the Cardinals, being named to the Final Four All-Tournament team, the All-Louisville Regional team, the AVCA First-Team All-East Region team, and the All-ACC First Team. She played in all 119 sets, amassing 300 kills with a .268 hitting percentage. She led the team with 44 aces and contributed significantly on defense with 108 total blocks, scoring a total of 401 points for the season.
Jones is currently pursuing her master's degree in communications, continuing to balance her academic pursuits with her athletic career. Her signing with the Atlanta Vibe marks a significant milestone for Jamaican athletes, opening doors for future talents from the island to explore opportunities in professional volleyball.
As Aiko Jones embarks on this new chapter with the Atlanta Vibe, the volleyball community in Jamaica and her supporters worldwide will be eagerly watching her progress, cheering for her continued success in the sport.
The ICC T20 World Cup has led to significant scheduling conflicts, causing disruptions for the Regional UWI Volleyball Games 2024, an intercampus and club volleyball competition set to begin today, Friday, May 24, 2024, at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.
The St Augustine campus gymnasium, designated as an official training venue for the T20 World Cup, became unavailable for the final day of the volleyball tournament due to strict security protocols. This unexpected change, combined with the last-minute unavailability of the UWI Cave Hill male team, forced the organizers to condense the competition from three days to two.
"The venue is an official training location for the ICC World Cup, and the security protocols have strict proximity rules," explained Cheryl Daley, Competitions Coordinator. "That means the gymnasium is no longer available on Sunday as was previously the case. We were able to adjust without too much upheaval since the Barbados male team dropped out, which reduced the number of games to be played overall."
This tournament marks the first inter-campus regional volleyball competition since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring club and university teams from Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados. The new schedule compresses the games into two intense days of play, a change welcomed by Mona Head Coach Dr. Ricardo Chong.
"It just makes it all the more exciting," Dr. Chong said. "Now we have two intense days of play which will really put our teams to the test. Both the UWI intercollegiate and club teams are top teams in Jamaica, and now we will see how we match up against other islands."
Prominent Trinidad & Tobago volleyball clubs Glamorgan, Big SEPOS, and West Side Stars are confirmed for the two-day competition, which will be held at UWI’s Sports and Physical Education Centre gymnasium in St Augustine. The games will run from Friday, May 24 to Saturday, May 25, 2024, kicking off at 1 PM Jamaica time.
Despite the scheduling challenges, the condensed tournament promises to deliver thrilling volleyball action, showcasing the resilience and competitive spirit of the participating teams.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Sports & Physical Education Centre (SPEC) at the St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad is poised for an exhilarating weekend of volleyball. From Friday, May 24, to Sunday, May 26, 2024, the UWI Intercampus Volleyball Tournament will bring together some of the best clubs in the region, including Glamorgan, Big SEPOS, and West Side Stars.
The tournament kicks off on Friday with games starting at 12:00 noon, while matches on Saturday and Sunday will commence at 9:00 am. The event promises to showcase high-calibre volleyball, reflecting the skill of the participating teams.
The UWI Mona Club/Intercollegiate male and female teams, hailing from Jamaica, will depart from Norman Manley International Airport on Thursday, May 23, at 2:55 pm on Caribbean Airlines.
The UWI Mona volleyball team has a storied history of success. Over the years, both the male and female teams have dominated intercollegiate competitions, national club championships, and international club championships. With an impressive tally of over 100 championships, they are the most successful team at the Mona campus and the leading volleyball team in Jamaica.
This success is not just in numbers but also in influence. The team has been a critical source of national players for both indoor and outdoor volleyball. Their involvement in diverse leagues and tournaments, along with the variety of nationalities represented, offers players significant exposure and opportunities, attracting many prospective students from across the Caribbean region.
The resilience of the UWI Mona volleyball team has been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many other clubs ceased activities, the Mona team continued to engage its members through ongoing training programs and off-court activities, adhering to health protocols. This proactive approach led to their selection to spearhead a pilot program for the return of the sport, demonstrating their leadership and dedication.
Currently, the UWI Mona Volleyball program boasts 70 active students and 30 alumni. Their commitment to the sport and each other highlights the strong community and support system within the team. This spirit of unity and perseverance will be on full display at the upcoming tournament.
The Jamaica Defence Force and UWI Volleyball are champions of the Jamaica Volleyball Association Club League which culminated at the GC Foster College of Physical Education and Sports in St. Catherine over the weekend.
In the Women’s final, Master’s Volleyball Club were no match for the defending champion as UWI Volleyball Club won in straight sets 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-20).
The team was led by team captain and national representative Erica Harris.
In the Men’s final, The Jamaica Defence Force defeated MOSA Volleyball Club in straight sets 3-0 (25-10, 25-21, 25-22).
JDF was led by 2023 RJR Sportsman of the Year for Volleyball and team captain, Ryck Webb.
GC Foster College (Women) and UWI A (Men) placed third after straight sets victories over MOSA Volleyball Club and UWI B respectively in the 3rd place playoffs.
Jamaica has been named as the hosts of the 2024 Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) U19 Boys and Girls Championships. The highly anticipated tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 5, 2024, and will unfold at the prestigious G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
The confirmation of Jamaica as the host country and the specified dates came through a letter from CAZOVA President Mushtaque Mohammed, as revealed by the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) in a press release on Thursday.
This marks a significant milestone for Jamaica as it marks the first international volleyball event to be hosted since the onset of the global pandemic.
Jamaica has a rich history of hosting successful volleyball events, having previously organized the CAZOVA U18 Girls and U19 Boys Championships in 2019 at the G.C. Foster College. The Senior Women’s CAZOVA Championship took place in 2017 at the National Indoor Sports Centre, while the CAZOVA U19 Boys Championship in 2015, held at G.C. Foster, saw Jamaica emerging as champions, securing the nation's first-ever international volleyball title at any level.
The Caribbean island has also been a host for high-profile beach volleyball events, including the Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualification in 2015 and 2016, as well as the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tournaments in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
With the hosting rights secured, Jamaica has wasted no time in preparing its teams for the upcoming championships. Over the weekend, more than 100 student-athletes participated in tryouts at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport. The participants included athletes currently engaged in the ISSA National U19 Volleyball Championships, showcasing the depth of talent and dedication within the Jamaican volleyball community.
Jamaica Volleyball Association President, Jacqueline Cowan, was re-elected as the General Secretary on the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) board. She was selected during the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association’s (CAZOVA) Electoral Congress held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Sunday.
Trinidad and Tobago's Mushtaque Mohammed was also re-elected president during the electoral congress, which determined the new board to guide CAZOVA until 2027.
Other members of the newly appointed CAZOVA Board are Kennedy McGowan, First Vice-President (Cayman Islands), Gisette Emer, Second Vice-President (Bonaire), Kurtwood Greene Snr, Treasurer (Bahamas), Filomena Daniel-Curiel, Board Member (Aruba), and Mark Lewis, Board Member (Barbados) a former Jamaica Indoor and Beach Volleyball National
Representative now residing in Barbados.
Philippe Lirus, Honorary Board Member (Martinique) and Daymian Stewart, Executive Director (Trinidad and Tobago), also secured slots on the board.
Along with those elected, there were also representatives from Curacao, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Suriname, and US Virgin Islands, at the congress.
The Brix Hotel on Coblentz Avenue in Port-of-Spain Trinidad set the stage for the recent electoral congress that unfolded on Sunday, December 17, 2023, marking a pivotal moment for the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Organisation (CAZOVA).
Mushtaque Mohammed of Trinidad and Tobago emerged victorious, retaining his position as President in a spirited contest against Ms. Margarette Graham, the Treasurer of CAZOVA.
The electoral congress, which determined the new board to guide CAZOVA until 2027, attracted the participation of 12 out of 14 National Federation members. The event was conducted under the supervision of Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, President of the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA).
The represented associations included Aruba, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, Barbados, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, and host country Trinidad and Tobago.
The newly elected executive comprises a mix of re-elected and fresh faces, demonstrating the organization's commitment to a diverse and dynamic leadership. The returning trio includes Kennedy McGowan of the Cayman Islands as First Vice-President, Gisette Emer of Bonaire as Second Vice-President, and Jacqueline Cowan of Jamaica as Secretary General.
Board Member Filomena Daniel-Curiel of Aruba also retained her position, while Kurtwood Green of the Bahamas and Mark Lewis of Barbados were newly appointed as Treasurer and Board Member, respectively.
In addition, Phillipe Lirus of Martinique was elected as an Honorary CAZOVA Board Member. Notably, Daymian K.E. Stewart, the President of T&T Volleyball Federation, retained his post as CAZOVA’s Executive Director, a role not subject to election.
With an action-packed calendar for 2024, CAZOVA encourages its membership to actively participate in various events and consider hosting both CAZOVA Beach and Indoor competitions. The organization will also emphasize assisting National Federations in enhancing their administration and governance structures.
As a unanimous decision, CAZOVA members pledged their support for President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz in his bid for re-election as NORCECA President, with the election scheduled to take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in July 2024.
President Marte Hoffiz expressed his congratulations to the new board and affirmed his commitment to working collaboratively with CAZOVA to further develop volleyball in the zone. The stage is set for a new chapter in CAZOVA's leadership, with a vision for growth, inclusivity, and excellence in volleyball across the Caribbean region.
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