The Northern Marianas Volleyball Association elected its new board during its general membership meeting late last month.
Elected to serve for the 2009-2010 board are current president Laurie Peterka and current members Gabriel C. White, Russ Quinn, Kelley Butcher, Mili Saiki. New board members are Rep. Ed Salas and Public Auditor Mike Pai.
“We welcome and congratulate newcomers. We also honor and thank those who remain dedicated to the effort,” said Peterka.
NMIVA also acknowledged outgoing board members Sia Maui Dela Cruz and Kim Peterson and thanked them for their generosity and dedication in helping keep volleyball alive in the CNMI.
“We look forward to their continued involvement and dedication through their committee participation,” she added.
Peterka said the new board will meet within the month to determine officers and responsibilities.
After the election of the new board, a quick discussion followed on the status of the 2010 Palau Micronesian Games coaching selection. The new board will review the applications received and provide an update to members and the public within a week.
The highlight of discussion focused on NMIVA's program development plans. Specifically, a focus to work with associate international federations, such as FIVB, AVP, and OZVA on bringing programs to the CNMI that will help refocus the volleyball community on quality and commitment to international competition.
To begin with, NMIVA will coordinate another VCP program as it did in August 2008 with the FIVB-certified coaching clinic. Options for additional VCP participation include referee courses and grass roots volleyball training for teachers and elementary level physical education teachers.
FIVB's Tomas Santamaria, who led last year's coaching clinic, advised NMIVA to apply for FIVB's refereeing course as a “next step” to help move our volleyball players towards a more disciplined level of play. So, NMIVA is anxious to set a course for 2009-2010 with regards to community programs.
“We are especially focused on getting interested participants certified as referees, since this is the most common request from school programs. These courses are a perfect fit for MISO, COPSSA, and other youth volleyball development coordinators,” said veteran player and NMIVA board member Russ Quinn.
Other goals that NMIVA will focus on for the coming year include working with the youth programs to encourage conformance with international level expectations. Additionally, NMIVA has set aside a reserve of the funds that it raises annually to work on equipment replacement at Ada Gym, equipment cooperation programs with other facilities within the CNMI and to provide equipment scholarship assistance to those who are running youth development programs.
The last, but probably most important subject covered by the NMIVA board was the subject of committees and volunteers. NMIVA is asking that everyone who is interested in helping to create a CNMI-wide master volleyball program development plan to send an email to nmivolleyball@gmail.com.
“We are fortunate that our young organization has been able to accomplish much in the last five years in terms of international exposure with the Marianas Beach Volleyball Festival and the assistance of FIVB with the VCP program. We've had great response and participation with our various on-island events and we managed to participate in the 2006 Micro Games here on Saipan. It's time to move our efforts to a new level; with an eye on developing players to be able to compete internationally. NMIVA is ready to help put that structure in place, but it will require the cooperation of all volleyball clubs and organizations coming together and working together,” said NMIVA vice president and veteran player Gabriel White,.
NMIVA is the CNMI's umbrella volleyball association covering all aspects of indoor and outdoor games and players. NMIVA is a bona fide current member of FIVB, AVC, OZVA and NMASA.
All of the organization's fundraisers put money into the development of volleyball in the CNMI. NMIVA encourages volleyball enthusiasts to become a member today for a mere $20 a year. Members get email updates and discounts on all NMIVA-sanctioned volleyball events throughout the year. Join NMIVA on Facebook or email nmivolleyball@gmail.com for more information. (PR)
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