St. Vincent and the Grenadines brought home gold at the 2026 ECVA Men and Women Volleyball Championship in Tortola, BVI — and one name stood out on the individual honours list: Ronaldo Franklyn, named Best Opposite of the tournament.
From young player to team captain to certified coach, Ronaldo's journey is one of growth, leadership, and giving back. We sat down with him to talk about the title win, the individual award, and what he hopes for the next generation of volleyballers coming up behind him.
Here's what he had to say, in his own words:
1. Volleyball's taken you from player to team captain to certified coach — what first drew you to the sport in St. Vincent, and what's kept that love alive through all these years and roles?
Volleyball first drew me in because of the energy, the competitiveness, and the sense of teamwork. Growing up in St. Vincent, I was naturally attracted to sports, but volleyball became something different for me. It gave me an opportunity to challenge myself, represent my country, and build relationships with people who shared the same passion.
What has kept that love alive is the growth. I've gone from being a young player trying to find my place, to representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines, becoming captain, and now coaching and helping develop other players. Every stage has taught me something different. At this point, volleyball is more than just a sport to me it's part of who I am, and I want to use everything I've learned to help the sport and the next generation move forward.
2. Winning the men's title in Tortola and picking up Best Opposite individually — what was going through your mind in that moment, and who were the people back home you thought of first?
It was honestly a very special moment. Winning the men's title was the main objective, so when that final point was won, there was a mixture of relief, pride, and gratitude. Being recognized individually as Best Opposite made it even more meaningful, but I always see individual awards as a reflection of the team around you.
The first people I thought about were my family, my teammates, coaches, and everyone back home who supported us. We weren't just playing for ourselves we were representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Being captain made that responsibility even greater, so holding that trophy and knowing that we had brought gold home was something I'll always appreciate.
3. As someone who's lived every stage of the game, what's your personal vision for volleyball's future in St. Vincent, and what would you like to see the association put in place to help the next generation come up the way you did?
My vision is to see volleyball become a stronger, more structured pathway for young people in St. Vincent from the primary school level all the way to the national and international stage.
We have talented young athletes across the country, but we have to make sure they have access to proper coaching, facilities, equipment, competition, and opportunities to develop. I'd like to see stronger grassroots programmes, better scouting, more coach education, improved playing facilities, and a clearer pathway from youth volleyball into senior national teams.
Most importantly, I want development to reach beyond Kingstown. There are talented young people in communities across the country, and we have to go to them, identify them, develop them, and give them an opportunity.
4. Balancing playing, captaincy, and coaching can't be easy — what has that journey taught you about yourself, and how do you want to keep contributing to the sport going forward?
It has taught me leadership, patience, discipline, and responsibility. Being a player is about performing your role, but being a captain means understanding the people around you. Coaching adds another dimension because now you have to help someone else understand and improve.
The biggest lesson has probably been that leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about setting an example, holding yourself accountable, and being willing to serve others.
Going forward, I want to continue contributing not only as a player, but as a coach, mentor, and developer of the sport. I want to help create opportunities for young athletes that perhaps weren't available to me when I was coming through.
5. If you had one message for the young volleyballers in St. Vincent who look up to your journey, what would you want them to carry with them — on and off the court?
My message would be: believe in yourself, stay disciplined, and never underestimate where your hard work can take you.
Talent can open a door, but discipline, consistency, education, and character are what keep you moving forward. There will be setbacks, losses, criticism, and moments when you question yourself. Don't let those moments define you.
Represent your family, your community, and your country with pride. Take your education seriously, respect the people who help you along the way, and remember that success isn't only about winning medals. It's also about the person you become while pursuing them.
If volleyball has taught me anything, it's that your journey doesn't end when you become a good player. That's when you have an opportunity to help someone else become great.
Congratulations, Ronaldo, on the gold and on being named Best Opposite of the 2026 ECVA Championships. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is proud of you! 🏆
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