by KENMORE BYNOE

BARBADOS LAUNCHED the FIVB Regional Development Centre at the Wildey Gym on Sunday to herald in a new and historical chapter in the volleyball sporting chronicles of this island.

In a brief ceremony which was twinned with the opening and awards presentations for the new volleyball season, the Barbados Volleyball Association's president, John Griffith, described the launching of the centre as the realisation of the dream to continue the rapid development of volleyball in Barbados and within the English-speaking Caribbean.

Both Neil Murrell, deputy director of the National Sports Council, and Erskine Simmons, the general secretary of the Barbados Olympic Association, lauded the establishment of the centre which is the first in the English-speaking Caribbean, and is the 11th to be set up in the world by the governing FIVB.

The regional Caribbean was represented by Patricia Garel, the president of the Jamaica Volleyball Association, and Rupert Sorhaindo, the head of the Dominica Volleyball Association.

Sorhaindo, who was also representing Norceca as one of its executive members, promised active participation by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States in taking part in the upcoming courses at the centre.

"Previously, all Norceca countries were expected to attend the centre which is in the Dominican Republic with the language difference being a tremendous hindrance," Sorhaindo added.

Barbados will be utilising the facilities at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex to run the various programmes for the centre. A one-week FIVB Referees' refresher course started yesterday, the first day of the new centre's existence, with Jose Sanler Diaz of Cuba conducting the seminar for over 20 Bajan officials.

Two regional coaches' courses are already booked for later in the year.

The BVA has been fortunate in being accorded an office in the Barbados Olympic Association administration building presently under construction.

Meanwhile, the presentation ceremony for the 2006 season saw champions Deacons capturing the lion's share of the awards for 2005. Veterans Andrew Culpepper and Valmay Stapleton captured the MVP titles in the Cooperators General Insurance Knockout and the Division One women's league respectively.

Dale Addison and Sharon Bovell won the MVP titles for Chargers in the league and knockout respectively.

The new season begins in earnest tomorrow with CGI Deacons meeting the newly-promoted Royals, and the rebooted Ambi Toners taking on Erdiston Rockets in the women's action. Deacons' men battle Friendly Hall, and Chargers will clash with the Rockets.