Ephraim Penn, BVIOC President; Ms. Jackie Weekes and Roy Barry (VIVA), sign the historic agreement. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Joined by Kisheba Sprauve (VIVA secretary) the contract is signed and soon to be implemented with the aim of bringing Volleyball back to the levels it once enjoyed. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

As Mr. Ephraim Penn, BVIOC President explained at the signing held in the Olympic Offices, the contract was Historic for two reasons. “It is the first National Sports Structure to be signed and we have many more planned.” he stated.

“It is also historic because for the first time a Sport has not had to bring in an expert from oversees to implement developmental programmes. Jackie Weekes is right here and had the necessary qualifications to gain the approval of the Olympic Solidarity Organisation who are providing the funds,” he said.

Those funds are to the tune of $30,000 and the contract runs from June 1^st until December 31^st 2014 by which time Ms. Weekes will have been charged by the Volleyball Association and the BVIOC to undertake a thorough analysis of where the Sport is at the moment with its programmes and development, right through from Primary School to National Junior Teams.

“This programme will be at the forefront of keeping volleyball alive,” continued Penn “and it is also very important to recognize the efforts of Jackie in the past to develop the sport and now assist her and the local association in getting the sport back to the high levels it once enjoyed.”

Roy Barry, Vice President of VIVA, thanked the Olympic Committee for partnering in the programme. “It is great to have one of our own in the position and exposing the youths to the sports. Hopefully we will unearth a lot of gems and the sports will grow in the Territory,” said Barry.

Weeks will hit the ground running and already has a programme for young Volleyball enthusiasts established at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Wednesdays and Saturdays. By August she hopes to have Junior National teams in preparation and practice for Tournaments and will be working in Schools almost every day from September.

All members of the BVI Olympic movement were given the opportunity to apply for the various programmes presented in the Olympic Quadrennial Programme and Volleyball took full advantage, but other Sports will be soon following suit and able to take full advantage of the support offered by the BVIOC.