May 8, 2010 Junior National team tryout

The picture is of the boys and girls (ages 13-19) that participated in today's junior national team tryouts. Junior means they must be in either secondary school (12-17) or college (17-20). The tryout was from 9am-12pm at the Carenage. We are selecting a team to compete in the Windward Island games to be held July 24-August 2nd.

It is an interesting competition. There will be four Islands competiting...Grenada, St. Lucia (the dominant force in volleyball), Dominica, and St. Vincent. These make up what is referred to as the Windward Islands. I also was not aware, but there is a world-wide cricket competition going on and West Indies is the team representing the Caribbean (and Grenada).

In the Windward Island games, we will compete in Volleyball, Cricket, Basketball, Netball, Soccer, and Track and Field. Grenada is the dominant country and is the defending champion. Volleyball has been Grenada's achilles heal.

The tryout went well, and although we did not have big numbers, there was talent. Another interesting thing about the games, you can select one group of boys and one group of girls. From this pool, you must field a team in each sport. That means multi-talented athletes are a must. Each sport is allowed a certain number of 'specialists' or players that play only that sport. Volleyball gets 4 female specialists and 6 male specialists.

Facts about the tryout:

• The boys and girls were picked up by a ministry bus that traveled all around the island to get them.
• There was a men's basketball team on the court before us, and after they finished, they stayed by the court and played LOUD calypso music (fast-paced rap reggae) and 'celebrated' either their victory or loss...whichever. How lucky we were!
• Greg Gilbert is clearly the most talented boy. He is a 19 year old with tremendous athleticism, is 6'2 and the setter and easily the best hitter and passer. He brought his little brother Jimmy (age 13) to get experience in a tryout. He may be the future!
• Two young ladies, Danielle and Renesha, both 15, also have tremendous potential. Renesha is 6'2 and Danielle is 6'. I asked how high they could touch and neither knew. I walked them the basketball rim and asked them to jump to it. Both touched it!!!! Okay :)

After the tryout, I had the afternoon off. I spent the rest of the day swimming in the sea and reading on the beach. It was a relaxing day full of sunshine. The beautiful thing about Grenada is that even when it is blistering hot, you always get the cool breeze from the sea. If you sit in the shade, it is actually cool. There is no humidity. The sea is very salty.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day! Happy Mothers Day Joan, my mom, and to All!!! Today will be another day of swimming in the sea, thinking of loved ones, and preparing my outlines for the week.

Respect and love.