Jamaica is set to host the inaugural Under-17 CAZOVA Volleyball Championship from July 29 to August 3, providing a platform for the region’s youngest talents to showcase their skills.
Speaking with Sportsmax.TV, Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) President Jackie Cowan said the tournament presents an important opportunity for the country to demonstrate the strength of its youth development program.
“We thought it was a good opportunity for Jamaica to host because we’re looking at young athletes and showcasing the skills of volleyball — to show people that we start at a lower level and work our way up,” Cowan explained.
Preparations are well underway, with Jamaica’s teams already training for over a month. Although the official list of participating countries will be finalized after the April 30 deadline, Cowan emphasized that Jamaica’s athletes are being prepared early, especially since many are Under-15 players competing at the Under-17 level.
Cowan also stressed the importance of long-term development, noting that this tournament is a stepping stone toward future success at higher age categories.
“At age 15, we’re hoping these boys and girls will transition to our Under-19 championship teams and move forward,” she said. “The key is keeping them together and aiming to qualify for the Continental Championship later this year.”
The Under-17 CAZOVA event marks another significant milestone for JaVA as it continues its focus on grassroots and youth development in the sport.
