ECVA Retains Executive, supports Marte Hoffiz reelection

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, March 10, 2011 - The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) has retained its executive as the 13 presidents from the respective national federations met on last Saturday at their annual general meeting to elect a five-member executive charged with leading the association over a four-year tenure.

The assembly also unanimously voted in favor of an “indubitable support” to the reelection of Cristobal Marte Hoffiz to a third consecutive term as President of the North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA).

The executive is comprised of five re-elected officers, of which four nominations were unopposed, and one challenged. Returning are President Glen Quinland (St Kitts & Nevis), Vice President Sabina Mason (Tortola, BVI), Treasurer Wilbur A Harrigan (Antigua & Barbuda), Secretary General Brian Louisy (St Lucia), and Thierry Stephens (French St Martin), who was re-elected from three nominees with an overwhelming majority to serve as member.

Quinlan presented a complete report of the activities of ECVA which included the two Senior Championships held in St. Lucia (women’s) and Tortola, British Virgin Islands (men’s), the U-21 Men’s Championship and the Beach Volleyball Continental Cups in both genders in St. John’s Antigua.

The report also included the audited financial statements, the different courses and the donation by NORCECA of two Sport Courts already installed in Anguilla and Antigua & Barbuda.

Marte Hoffiz, who attended the elective congress, took the opportunity to present the NORCECA Volleyball and Beach Volleyball reports of 2010 and the projected qualification system to the 2014 FIVB World Championships which includes 39 tournaments to be held in the 2012-14 period.

He also explained the assembly about the Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualification process, the NORCECA election system to be implemented during the elective Congress next October and the four-year development plan that will impact positively to all the countries grouped in ECVA.

Marte Hoffiz, who is also FIVB First Executive Vice President, said although he is excited with the progress made by the ECVA, the years ahead leading up to 2014 will require a greater effort.

“We are doing many things," he said. "There is a lot of room for improvement, [but] we must all work more. We need to support each country and work with them. If 2010 was successful, that is history. Now it's time to stand and work to make 2011 more productive and it will be done. However, this requires understanding, co-operation and tolerance. We all need to have a clear vision."

The meeting also bade farewell to two outgoing presidents who have decided not to seek re-election after many years of outstanding and unwavering service. Rupert Sorhaindo and Richard Simon, from Dominica and Grenada, respectively, have left impressive legacies.