Early Accomplishments
The UWIVC, through its commitment to Volleyball and the various formats of the sport, became involved in the small but competitive beach tournaments around the island. Teams extended their indoor prowess and competitiveness to the beach and again saw rapid rise. The teams comprising Cheryl Daley and Kamille Dwyer and Cherine Richards and Shanique Green have been rated numbers one and two island wide. Pioneer male player Andre Mclean has competed both locally and regionally and was part of Jamaica’s first ever National Beach Volleyball Team which competed in Guadeloupe.
Over the past twelve years, the UWIVC has seen phenomenal rise in the ranks of the local National Club League, with the women’s team being unbeaten over the last three years in any Volleyball event. They are current holders of the National Club League, the President’s Knockout Rally winners; defending Champions of the Cayman Spikefest Tournament and past champions of both the Venus Invitational Tournament and the UWI Pelican Invitational Tournament. Their male counterparts are just as competitive having remained within the top four club teams island wide and are past UWI Pelican Invitational Tournament champions and runner-up in the recent President’s knockout rally and JAVA National Club League.
At the Intercollegiate level, the women are current Champions of the Caribbean Universities Sport Association (CUSA) tournament, Intercampus Games and remain in the top three of both the Indoor and Beach Intercollegiate tournaments. The men are currently ranked second in all of these tournaments having been champions in all of them previously. Significant wins have been achieved in the CUSA tournament in Barbados and at Intercampus games in Trinidad, both in 2003.
Since the first National Team Selection in 1995, the UWIVC has grown to become a major contributor of National players at both junior and senior levels. The Current Team includes nine females and six males on both the junior and senior teams. The club’s intent on being ‘the best we can be’ has been portrayed through its players who have also captained the National Teams at all levels.
The UWIVC attempts to infuse new players into the team on an annual basis, thereby mixing some of the country’s promising junior players with some of the sports most experienced players.
We have also been a vehicle for cultural exchange, through incorporation of persons from all over the region. The club has participated in tournaments in Grand Cayman, Barbados, Trinidad, Guadeloupe, Curacao and Costa Rica and has received recent invitations from the USA, Suriname and Cuba. At the University level, we have had players from the regional territories mentioned previously, as well as, Belize, St. Kitts and St. Lucia. The Jamaican UWIVC players are diverse with participants from all over the island and different institutions, including Excelsior Community College (EXED) and the University of Technology (UTECH).
The years following 2007 will see the club taking on a new venture. In an effort to continue the current high standard of play and participation throughout the region, we need the participation of corporate sponsorship coupled with our initiative and drive to be successful. The heart of the UWIVC continues to be committed to the development of Volleyball at every level and in every sector of society, both indoor and on the beach. Our success and contribution will be visible with the growth and development of Volleyball in Jamaica.