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! 🏆

#ECVA2026 #Volleyball #TeamSVG #BestOpposite #StVincentAndTheGrenadines #TortolaBVI #EasternCaribbeanVolleyball

🏐 SPOTLIGHT: VALISSIA BRATHWAITE 🇻🇬

Fresh off being named Best Outside Hitter at the 2026 ECVA Championships in Tortola, BVI's Valissia Brathwaite reflect on a hard-fought home tournament, her evolution as a player and coach, and what's next.

Q - Taking home Best Outside Hitter — what was the first emotion that hit you after competing against the region's top talent?
"I was pleasantly surprised — because of how many positions I was playing on the court."

Q - As hosts, BVI faced intense pressure on home soil. How would you rate the team's execution, cohesion, and growth over those five days? And was there a moment where you saw real fighting spirit?
"I agree there was a lot of pressure as the home team. But as a young team with a few veteran players, I'd give us a 7 on overall execution and growth — I feel like we have so much more to give. One moment that stood out was when we took a set from Bermuda. That moment made me want that win even more."

Q - You've had a long journey with BVI volleyball — as a veteran leader and the Volleyball Executive Players' Representative. How has your journey as an athlete evolved? And as a certified national beach volleyball coach who mentors the U20 squads, how does that coaching lens change the way you read the game as a player?
"My journey as an athlete has evolved tremendously. I was — and still am at times — a rather quiet, laid-back player. Even during our team meetings toward the end of the tournament, I let the players know how much I've grown because of them; this was the most vocal I've ever been on the court. Switching roles to step on the court as a player gets difficult, because I expect the players to know their role and execute it — but I still end up doing a bit of coaching while I play."

Q - Now that the 2026 ECVA Championships have wrapped, what's next for you?
"It's going to be a bit of both. I'll be back to my regular coaching duties, while also getting ready for the Final Four next year and playing in some beach tournaments."

Grit, growth, and a whole lot of heart — that's Valissia Brathwaite. 🏐🇻🇬

#ECVA2026 #BVIVolleyball #BestOutsideHitter #EasternCaribbeanVolleyball

Two years ago, he was the U23 MVP. This year, in Tortola, he walked away with MVP, Best Scorer, AND Best Server titles — and a gold medal around his neck after Saint Vincent battled back from a set down to beat Saint Lucia in the final.

We caught up with the 2026 ECVA Men's MVP to talk growth, gold, and where he goes from here.

Q: You've gone from U23 MVP to Senior Men's MVP for St. Vincent — walk us through that jump. What's changed in your game since 2023?

"I think the biggest change has been maturity and consistency. In 2023, I was playing with a lot of energy and instinct, and winning the U23 MVP gave me confidence that I belonged at that level. Since then, I've learned how to manage games better, make smarter decisions under pressure, and contribute even when I'm not at my best offensively.

I've also become more complete defensively and more comfortable taking responsibility in big moments. Moving from U23 to the senior team, you realize you can't just rely on talent — you have to understand the game, stay disciplined, and bring the same level every night."

Q: SVG dropped the first set to Saint Lucia in the final, then won three straight for gold. What happened in that huddle between sets one and two?

The coaching staff didn't just ask the team to "try harder" — they broke down exactly what Saint Lucia was doing well and reworked the game plan around it. And it showed immediately.

Set two flipped the script entirely: 25-17 to SVG, a mirror image of the opener. They didn't let up, closing it out 25-13 in set three. Head coach Duane Daniel pointed to discipline, punctuality, and practice as the foundation that made the turnaround possible.

Q: You picked up MVP, Best Scorer and Best Server this tournament. Which of those three means the most to you personally, and why?

"The MVP means the most to me. The Best Scorer and Best Server are special awards, but MVP feels like recognition of my overall contribution to the team and the tournament. It tells me that the work I put in throughout the competition — scoring, serving, defending and helping my teammates — made a difference.

At the end of the day, though, winning the gold medal with my teammates is what I'm most proud of. The individual awards are a bonus."

Q: Take us back to how you first got into volleyball — was there a moment you knew this was the sport for you?

"I was first introduced to volleyball through school, initially motivated by curiosity and a desire to try something new. As I continued playing, I developed a genuine passion for the sport. I was drawn to its competitiveness, the importance of teamwork, and, most importantly, the sense of progress I experienced each time I stepped onto the court.

I realized volleyball was truly the right path for me when I began competing at a higher level and discovered how strongly I wanted to challenge myself. From that point forward, volleyball evolved from simply being a sport I enjoyed into something I was genuinely committed to pursuing."

Q: With back-to-back MVP honors at different levels now to your name, where do you see you heading — regionally or beyond?

"Winning back-to-back MVP awards has given me confidence, but honestly, I see them as just the beginning. I don't want to be known only as one of the best players in the region — I want to use volleyball as a pathway to international opportunities, including scholarships that can help me pursue higher education while continuing to develop as an athlete.

My goal is to earn a scholarship that will allow me to study, compete, and grow in an international environment. I want to gain experience outside the Caribbean and eventually compete at the highest international level possible, while representing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on bigger stages.

I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, but I'm not satisfied. I have much bigger goals — and I'm prepared to put in the work to build an international future that can inspire the next generation of volleyball players back home to believe they can reach those levels too."

🏐 Two-time MVP. Gold medalist. Just getting started. Congratulations, Jamaar Cropper — SVG and the region are watching where you go next.

#ECVA2026 #TortolaBVI #MensVolleyball #SVGVolleyball #MVP

Natalie Gazzard walked away from Tortola with a medal around her neck and three individual trophies in her arms — but ask her about it and the story isn't about herself at all.

Bermuda won the 2026 ECVA Women's Volleyball Championship, a run that opened with a five-sets against defending champions Saint. Lucia. When the dust settled, Natalie was named the tournament's Female MVP.

We spoke with her about the run, the road that got her there and what's next. Grab a minute — this one's worth the read. 🏐🇧🇲

On the moment it was announced:
"I was honestly just elated that we had won the tournament. As a team, we've been working towards this for the past few years and came up short the last two times, so finally reaching that goal together meant the most to me. The individual awards are an incredible honor, but they belong to my teammates just as much as they do to me. I wouldn't have been in a position to receive them without the work we put in as a team."

On the five-set battle with Saint. Lucia:
"My team is filled with incredible athletes who are all so passionate about the sport. Playing the defending champions in our first match was definitely nerve-racking, but we were able to stay composed and persevere. It's hard to point to one specific turning point, but after going down in the first set, we showed incredible resilience. It would have been easy to shut down, but we stayed together, trusted our game plan, and executed when it mattered. I think that match really showed the fight and determination this team has."

On where it all started, in Devonshire:
"I was fortunate to grow up in a family with a passion for volleyball, so I was exposed to the sport early through my dad and uncles, who all played. I joined the BVA's Paradise Hitters at 11 and played with them until I graduated in 2023. I had some incredible coaches, both locally and from overseas, who really shaped my love for the game. There wasn't one moment when I realized I was good at it. It was a combination of the competition, experiences, and friendships that kept pushing me to improve."

On what the sport has given her, beyond the court:
"This past year, I played at the Tri Campus level at U of T rather than the varsity level. Sports have helped make me a well rounded individual, and I believe the same attributes that make you successful on the court can make you successful off the court. Volleyball has taught me the importance of friendship, commitment, hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and setting goals. These are lessons I know I'll carry with me throughout life."

On what's next:
"As I return to school for my final year, I plan to continue playing and developing my game. For the Bermuda women's team, we're setting our sights on the 2027 Island Games in the Faroe Islands and returning to the ECVA Final Four next year. We're grateful for every opportunity to represent Bermuda and can't wait to get back on the court together."

Congratulations, Natalie — and congratulations, Bermuda women's volleyball. The gold is history. The next chapter starts now. 🇧🇲🏐

#ECVA2026 #TeamBermuda #MVP

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands — August 20, 2026 — St. Vincent claimed the gold medal in the men's 2026 ECVA Men and Women Volleyball Championship. Saint Lucia earned silver and Dominica took bronze, capping five days of competition held August 12–16 in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and organized by the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA).

St. Vincent posted a 4-1 record across the tournament to finish atop the standings. Saint Lucia went 3-2 to secure second place, while Dominica, also 4-1, rounded out the podium in third.

At the closing of the ceremony, Stephen Payne, President of the Virgin Islands Volleyball Association, stated that “To our regional and local leadership, the ECVA Executive Board led by President Glenn Quinlan, thank you for your unwavering trust and for bringing major indoor volleyball championships back to the British Virgin Islands. Your dedication to providing this vital regional stage continues to truly elevate our sport.”

Final Standings — Men

Gold:   St. Vincent — 4 wins, 1 loss (5 games)

Silver:  Saint Lucia — 3 wins, 2 losses (5 games)

Bronze:           Dominica — 4 wins, 1 loss (5 games)

Individual Awards — Men

St. Vincent's Jamaar Crooper was the standout performer of the tournament, sweeping three individual honors: Best Server, Best Scorer, and Most Valuable Player.

MVP: Jamaar Crooper

Best Scorer:   Jamaar Crooper

Best Server:   Jamaar Crooper

Best Receiver: Joshua Wilson

Best Setter: J'den Robinson

Best Outside Hitter: Sherron Vidal and Larian Tulloch

Best Opposite: Ronaldo Franklyn

Best Middle Blocker: Jenson Mitchell and Alexander Southem

Best Digger: Shevon Gludd

Best Libero: Mervin Mingo

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands — August 20, 2026 — Bermuda claimed the gold medal in the women’s 2026 ECVA Men and Women Volleyball Championship, closing out the tournament undefeated. Antigua earned silver and Saint Lucia took bronze, capping five days of competition held August 12–16 in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, organized by the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA).

Bermuda went 5-0 across the tournament to finish atop the standings. Antigua posted a 4-1 record to secure second place, while Saint Lucia, finished 4-1 to take third.

At the closing of the ceremony, Stephen Payne, President of the Virgin Islands Volleyball Association, stated that “For five spectacular days, Tortola has witnessed unparalleled athleticism, fierce determination, and the true spirit of Caribbean unity. As the curtain falls on this historic 2026 ECVA Senior Men and Women Volleyball Championship, my heart overflows with immense pride and gratitude. This triumph was made possible only through the extraordinary synergy of our regional leadership, global partners, local leaders and generous sponsors.”

Final Standings — Women

Gold:   Bermuda — 5 wins, 0 losses (5 games)

Silver:  Antigua — 4 wins, 1 loss (5 games)

Bronze:           Saint Lucia — 4 wins, 1 loss (5 games)

Individual Awards

Bermuda's Natalie Gazzard was the standout performer of the tournament, sweeping three individual honors: Best Receiver, Best Scorer, and Most Valuable Player.

MVP: Natalie Gazzard (Bermuda)

Best Scorer: Natalie Gazzard (Bermuda)

Best Receiver: Natalie Gazzard (Bermuda)

Best Server: Rayana Regis

Best Setter:    Olivia Gazzard

Best Outside HitterS: Josanne Lewis and Valissia Brathwaite

Best Opposite:           Chenoa Evans

Best Middle Blockers: Amber Simons and Asia Mc Call

Best Digger: Tennayestlgni Joseph

Best Libero: Cailey Longworth

Newly certified coaches return home to strengthen volleyball programs across the Eastern Caribbean

TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA), in partnership with the BVI National Olympic Committe, British Virgin Islands Volleyball Federation and sponsored by Olympic Solidarity conducted a FIVB Coaches Course Level 1 Volleyball in Tortola, BVI, from August 17–21, 2026. The five-day course brought together coaches from 11 National Federations across the region — Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, host British Virgin Islands, Sint Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia — for a valuable opportunity to strengthen coaching knowledge, sharpen technical skills, and build greater capacity for volleyball throughout the region.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in classroom sessions, quizzes, and hands-on practice, including leading their own coaching drills — putting new skills into immediate practice alongside their peers.

The course was led by Coach Rick Bevis, a veteran educator and coach with expertise in Coaching Education, Sport Leadership, and Educational Sport Psychology. His applied research and scholarship focus on the youth sport experience, and he has coached at every level — from grassroots to high performance — in Canada and internationally, in both indoor and beach volleyball.

“Investing in our coaches means investing in the future of the sport,” ECVA said in congratulating the newly certified coaches.

All participants successfully completed the course and are now certified FIVB Coaches Level 1 Volleyball . “To every newly certified coach: your dedication this week is an investment in the future of volleyball across our region. Now, go back to your respective National Federations and execute! Congratulations, and we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!”

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands — August 16, 2026 — Team St. Vincent and the Grenadines defeated Saint
Lucia 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-13, 25-22) to win the Gold Medal in the Men division of the 2026 ECVA Men
WomenVolleyball Championship, hosted in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Saint Lucia came out strong, taking the opening set 25-17. St. Vincent and the Grenadines answered immediately,
however, reeling off the next three sets (25-17, 25-13, 25-22) to close out the match and claim the Gold Medal. Saint
Lucia takes home the Silver Medal after a spirited run through the men bracket.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines head coach credited a change in game plan for the turnaround, explaining that the
adjustment caught Saint Lucia off guard and opened the door for the come-from-behind win.

Dominica men team edged Bermuda 3-2 (25-17, 25-22, 20-25, 21-25, 19-21) in a five-set battle to claim the
Bronze Medal at the ECVA Senior MenChampionship.

Also on Day 5, Grenada men team took down defending champions Antigua and Barbuda 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 21-
25, 25-15), delivering one of the tournament biggest upsets.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, August 16, 2026.- Bermuda's women's volleyball team defeated Antigua and Barbuda 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 21-25, 25-20) to claim the championship title on the final day of the 2026 ECVA Men's and Women's Volleyball Championship, hosted in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Bermuda's team sealed the 2026 ECVA women's title, defeating Antigua and Barbuda 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 21-25, 25-20) in the gold medal match. Point for point, both sides dug in and continued to push toward their goal, with Bermuda holding firm through the tight finishes to close out the title. Antigua and Barbuda take home the Silver Medal after a hard-fought final that saw both teams trade momentum through four sets.

Speaking with Bermuda’s head coach after their victory, he expressed that It was the first ECVA gold medal of his coaching career and he was visibly elated after the win, embracing players courtside as the team celebrated the title. The team worked hard through all the adversity they faced over the course of the tournament, and it paid off with a gold medal performance in Tortola.

In other matches on the final day, Saint Lucia's women's team swept host nation the British Virgin Islands 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-22) to claim the Bronze Medal at the ECVA Senior Women's Championship.

In a five-set thriller, Dominica edged Anguilla 3-2 (25-21, 27-29, 25-19, 23-25, 15-11) on day 5 of the women's competition, with the deciding set coming down to the wire placing Dominica in 5th Position in the championship.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, August 15, 2026.- Bermuda and Antigua booked their spots in the gold medal match after both teams won their semifinal matchups on Day 4 of the 2026 ECVA Men and Women Volleyball Championship in Tortola.

Bermuda’s women defeated host nation BVI 3-1 (25-18, 25-27, 30-28, 25-20) to advance to the final, outlasting the host nation across four sets and closing out two tightly contested frames, 25-27 and 30-28.

Antigua’s women defeated reigning champions Saint Lucia 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23), advancing to the gold medal match and ending Saint Lucia’s title defense.

In other action, Dominica’s women swept Grenada 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-20) on Day 4, securing their first win of the tournament.

Speaking after the match, Bermuda captain Natalie Gazzard said her team did an amazing job, singling out the play of her setter as instrumental to the win.

The championship wraps up tomorrow, August 16, with the women’s finals at the Multipurpose Complex in Tortola. Play opens at 11 AM with Dominica facing Anguilla, followed by the bronze medal match at 2PM, as Saint Lucia takes on host nation BVI for third place. The tournament closes with the gold medal match at 6PM, as Antigua meets Bermuda for the championship.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, August 15, 2026.- Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines punched their tickets to the gold medal match after both teams won their semifinal matchups on Day 4 of the 2026 Eastern Caribbean Men and Women Volleyball Championship in Tortola.

Saint Lucia’s men edged out Dominica in a five-set thriller, 3-2 (25-16, 28-26, 33-35, 23-25, 18-20), pulling off a big upset. Saint Lucia battled through five closely contested sets before closing out the match in the decider. The win sends Saint Lucia through to the finals, while Dominica will battle for bronze.

St. Vincent defeated Bermuda 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20) to also advance to the gold medal match.

In other games today, Antigua’s men swept Anguilla 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-19) to round out a strong day for the defending champion.

Grenada defeated host nation BVI 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-19) in the day’s other men’s division match.

Speaking after the game, Saint Lucia head coach Levi Leonce said his team is a fighting team, trained to fight for every single point. He said the result is a testament to the entire Saint Lucia volleyball community — the coaches back home and the players who came before — calling it the culmination of Saint Lucia volleyball.

The championship wraps up tomorrow, August 16, with a full slate of matches at the Multipurpose Complex in Tortola. Play opens at 9AM with host nation BVI facing Anguilla, followed by Grenada against Antigua at 11AM. The bronze medal match is set for 2PM, with Bermuda taking on Dominica for third place, before the tournament closes with the gold medal match at 8PM, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines meets Saint Lucia for the championship.