Make a spike with Primary School National Volleyball Champions

Political parties may divide but sports always unite a country. Today extraordinary and talented youths took part in the opening of the national primary school volleyball championships. Duane Moody joined the youths as they spiked their points over the nets at Birds Isle and Belize Elementary School.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Boys and girls from nine primary schools countrywide converge to the Old Capital today for the mega showdown…it is the national primary school volleyball championships for males and females. The event got off at eight-thirty this morning where the best of the best teams from the six districts are showcasing their talents and skills in the discipline and to inevitably win the title.

Kaya Cattouse

Kaya Cattouse, Sports Coordinator, National Sports Council

“We have national competition for primary schools volleyball every year and this is the last sport for this year.  All the schools that are here are from each of the six districts—a male and a female school—and they had to win their district tournament to get here to the nationals so yes it is the best of the best here. Winning nationals at the primary school level it leaves something in you for the rest of your life. I went to the nationals once while I was in Holy Redeemer and we didn’t win and you know you always remember the last game. So I believe that these kids will always remember the nationals and how they got there and how they did.”

In the battle against Corozal and Christian Academy, Our Lady of Guadalupe boys say they are paying a keen eye on their opponents and using various strategies to outshine them.

Randy Acosta

Randy Acosta, Team Captain, Our Lady of Guadalupe

“We play it strong and I like that and I love how my team play together and that is a team who beats persons.”

But it is last year’s third place winners, Holy Redeemer Primary that so far are the ones to look out for. In this season of the sport, they beat out eleven other schools in the Belize District to qualify for the nationals.

Miguel Rosado, Team Captain, Holy Redeemer Primary

“These guys, they train hard. We try to talk as much as possible so that we can see what are weaknesses are. Again we are undefeated because we’ve worked so hard for this.”

Duane Moody

Miguel Rosado

“Tell us about the strategy going into this game.”

Miguel Rosado

“What we see is that these guys spike. So we are not going to try to go and block them, to try and spike on them. If the spike comes, we are going to take the spike. If the spike doesn’t come then we are just gonna play the game. If they spike we will draw back, pick up the ball and send it across. To win the tournament, we will play smart, study what they do and then we play hard.”

But while the junior male athletes trampled the court at the Bird’s Isle, over at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium, the females were narrowing it down to its finals…it was Chan Pine Ridge Government School of Orange Walk against Holy Angel’s R.C. from Stann Creek. The defending Female Champions are the girls from Holy Angel’s who are seeking another victory.

Tricelyn Choc

Tricelyn Choc, Team Captain, Holy Angel’s R. C. Primary

“We will be bringing our A game and we really want to win. We have the right skills and techniques. This is not my first time at the nationals. I overcame my fears and I think we will win. We have the expectation to win.”

But in a Cinderella story, the girls of Chan Pine Ridge have for the past four years been placing fourth in national. This year, they are ecstatic because they are guaranteed one of the top two spots.

Stephanie Ramirez, Chan Pine Ridge Government School

Stephanie Ramirez

“We came in fourth place and this year we are managing to come first or second. We always encourage people that if they make a mistake we always encourage them. Sometimes they get mad, but we need to encourage them so that they can continue with the game.”

The all-day event is a clear indication that athletic skills and talent have no boundaries. Duane Moody for News Five.

In the female category, Holy Angel’s RC Primary regained the title as champions of the nationals. Meanwhile for the males, Howard Smith Nazarene Primary took the top spot.