NORCECA donated the synthetic floor which has been installed at the volleyball facility in Grenada

St Georges, Grenada, June 22, 2012 - The Grenada Volleyball Association became the seventh Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association member to benefit from the sponsorship of a Sports Court synthetic surface courtesy of the North Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation on behalf of the FIVB.

The surface was installed at the Laborie Indoor Sports Facility, Laborie, St Georges, Grenada prior to the 2014 FIVB World Championship Women’s Four-team Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Continental First Round Group B Qualifying Tournament which will run from Friday to Saturday.

The teams involved in the round-robin series are host Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and newcomers, St Eustatius at the end of which the top three teams will advance to the Second Round of Qualification, slated for next year as they attempt to reach the World Championship in Italy.

Some of the characteristics of the surface which was installed and is endorsed by the NCAA, USA Volleyball Federation and FIVB are its shock absorption capabilities which reduces overuse injuries and wear and tear on the body.

Speaking at the unveiling of the new surface which will play host to the four-team tournament, Mushtaque Mohammed, (NORCECA’s) vice-president of Development said the laying of the surface on the island was all part of NORCECA’s Developmental Programme funding.

“This is one of our intentions to give sport courts to all the Level I and II countries in the federation.

“We have already distributed courts in British Virgin Islands, St Maarten, Antigua (two), Anguilla, St Kitts/Nevis and St Lucia and now we have done the same thing here in Grenada.

“For me personally I’m really happy to see that Grenada has made some drastic improvements since my last visit here in 1992.

“This venue is going to be used solely for the sport of volleyball and will be also become their National Association’s Volleyball Development Centre where it will also have its administrative office for the association.

“We at NORCECA will continue to assist with the development of the sport particularly because we have seen the investment we have made bring a significant benefit and growth of the sport in Grenada.

“Grenada has already received one court and we at NORCECA will be considering the possibility of another court as soon as we are able to provide courts to all the other Level I and II countries in the region.

“Grenada is furthest south of the ECVA countries and it will be my recommendation that we consider that Grenada be a Sub-Regional Developmental Centre for volleyball to facilitate the countries furthest south in the ECVA.

"On behalf of NORCECA president, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz I congratulate the Grenada National Volleyball Federation for the vision to facilitate the hosting of this tournament which will no doubt help with the development of the sport in Grenada."

ECVA Delegate and secretary Brian Louisy added: "The handing over of the surface to Grenada is a very critical component of NORCECA’s Developmental Programme for Level I and II countries.

“Having a surface of this quality in Grenada and in other ECVA countries is very vital to the growth of the sport as it will allow the national associations to conduct training sessions on a regular basis whether indoor or outdoor,” he said.

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