purpose of trip

I have been commissioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to come to Grenada for a 6 week stint to work with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports (Ministry) to continue to develop and promote the sport of volleyball in the Spice Isle.

This will be my third visit to this wonderful country.

The IOC sees improvement in Grenadian Volleyball and would like to follow up on previous efforts that have proven so successful. Grenadian volleyball has momentum and they want to build on it.

My first visit was in May 2007 and I went on a fact-finding visit with Mr. Jim Rahn, sponsored by a gentleman with the intent to help others. Our purpose was to visit the Ministry of Sports and all 19 secondary high schools on the island and determine their interest and availability to participate in a volleyball workshop we hoped to hold in June.

It seems volleyball used to be a primary sport in Grenada, but Hurricane Ivan (2004) not only decimated the Island and it's economy, it all but eliminated the sport of volleyball from the secondary school 'curriculum' and as a national sport.

Our mission was to bring the sport back.

My second visit was in June 2007 and we stayed for 2 weeks. The first week we held volleyball camps/training sessions for all secondary school athletes. The Ministry provided transportation and lunch to all participants and we completed the training with a VolleyRama tournament for both boys and girls. We had full participation from all schools (19 each) and it was a tremendous success. The second week we had a coaching clinic/workshop for all secondary PE teachers and coaches. In the morning we would cover Volleyball Theory (rules, systems of play, organization, terminology, etc.) In the afternoon, we held Practical sessions (we would let the coaches play!) It went tremendously well and I met lifetime friends.

Mr. Raphael Brathwaite, (Nanan) Head Volleyball Coach for the Men's and Women's National teams, employed by the Ministry, was asked by his government to continue these efforts and bring volleyball back.

Our first task was to create interest....mission accomplished!

Next, we needed a school sponsored season....mission accomplished!! They have now had two official seasons. (while short...it is a start)

Third, promote volleyball on the Island to continue to get good athletes interested and sponsorship....mission NOT accomplished! No sponsorship and very little publicity

I invited Nanan back to the United States as my guest to observe American volleyball and train. He accepted and came in 2007 and again in 2009. Both visits were 3 months in length and he was a guest in my house.

We have a challenging, exciting task ahead of us and I look forward to working with Nanan, the coaches, the Ministry, and all the interested athletes of Grenada to make Volleyball in Grenada Great!