St. Kitts, December 14, 2025 – The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) successfully convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, which welcomed representatives from all National Federations across the region.
The meeting began with a warm welcome from Glenn Quinlan, ECVA President, followed by a roll call and verification of credentials. The agenda was adopted without objection, leading to a review and adoption of the minutes from the 2024 AGM.
Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, President of NORCECA, provided valuable insights into regional volleyball development. Glenn Quinlan presented the ECVA President's report, outlining significant accomplishments over the past year. The Treasurer, Mr. Wilbur A. Harrigan, presented the audited financial statements, reinforcing the association's commitment to transparency and accountability.
The Technical and VIS Report highlighted recent advancements in data management, showcasing the association's efforts to enhance operational efficiency. The Referee Commission shared updates on ongoing initiatives designed to promote the continued growth and development of referees within the region.
The National Federations agreed to set up coaches, athletes, referees, financial, marketing and technical commissions by January 15, 2026, and they actively engaged in a review of recent championships, confirming the 2025-2026 calendar aimed to promote competitive and extended play across the area. Proposed amendments to the association's governance structures were discussed, with an emphasis on modernizing and improving practices.
Plans for knowledge transfer and capacity-building initiatives were outlined, focusing on enhancing the skills of coaches, referees, and players. Additionally, strategies for branding and media outreach were reviewed, highlighting the importance of live streaming events to increase visibility and fan engagement.
The meeting concluded with a summary of decisions and action items, ensuring clarity on the next steps for the regional association.
"We are excited about the direction in which ECVA is headed," stated Glenn Quinlan, President of ECVA. "Today's discussions will significantly contribute to the growth and development of volleyball in our region."
The ECVA expresses its gratitude to all attendees for their participation and commitment to advancing volleyball in the Eastern Caribbean.
Bassterre, St. Kitts – December 13, 2025: Day 3 of the ECVA Development Workshop featured an engaging lineup of presentations from Lyn LeBlanc, Judy Larocque, Mark Eckert, and Ericson LeBlanc.
Lyn LeBlanc addressed Coach & Athlete Development: Building Sustainable Programs, emphasizing the application of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles through the Person → Athlete → Player Development Model to promote holistic athlete growth. She highlighted the importance of sport safety and respect frameworks, the balance between immediate success and long-term development, and the critical role of administrators in fostering sustainable practices. Best practices in coach-leadership relationships were discussed, along with the function of selection committees and necessary governance structures. Challenges related to short-term foreign coaching placements were also examined. Strategies for grassroots and school integration focused on school engagement, coach recruitment and retention, and the trade-offs between beach and indoor youth development.
The Practical Canva Training session, led by Judy Larocque, provided attendees with hands-on experience in enhancing communication efforts through Canva. Participants learned to create professional social media graphics, design event posters and announcements, and build branded templates for consistent messaging.
In the NF Finance Essentials session, Mark Eckert focused on essential financial skills for small federations. Attendees explored budgeting fundamentals, the importance of reporting and transparency, and various funding sources and application processes. Strategies for collaborating with Ministries and external bodies were emphasized, along with financial planning and accountability.
The afternoon session included a practical working block where each National Federation selected a priority area for focused development, choosing from four options:
Strategic Planning Workshop, Constitution Development/Review, Calendar Development or NF Empowerment Platform Update.
Roaming facilitators, including Glenn Quinlan, Mark Eckert and Sabinah Clement, provided ongoing support throughout the sessions.
As day 3 concluded with a meaningful certificate award ceremony, we celebrate the commitment and achievements of all delegates who participated in the ECVA Development Workshop. We look forward to continuing this momentum during the Annual General Meeting tomorrow, Sunday, December 14, 2025, where we will discuss the collective insights gained and plan for the future of our sporting community. We acknowledge the dedication and enthusiasm or the delegate, and we anticipate another productive day ahead.
Basseterre, St. Kitts – December 12, 2025, The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Development Workshop continued its impactful sessions today in Basseterre, with a strong focus on enhancing governance and advancing digital transformation among National Federations (NFs).
The day opened with a presentation by Sabinah Clement, Vice President of NORCECA, who emphasized effective constitutional structures. Her discussion highlighted the significance of staggered board terms, explored individual versus club/team membership models, and addressed various voting membership structures, alongside strategies for quorum management and transition planning tailored for small federations.
Moderator Glenn Quinlan led an engaging discussion with representatives Louis Williams (St. Eustatius) and Akeem Johnson (British Virgin Islands) on innovative digital scoring systems in particular, Volley Write and offered insights into practical applications that enhance federation administration. Brandon Souza, Vice President of Bermuda Volleyball, shared best practices, providing valuable perspectives on overcoming challenges faced by federations.
A virtual session by Parrish Offer outlined comprehensive strategies for upgrading federation administration through AI, focusing on best practices in digital tools for accountability and management. Attendees received access to a toolkit containing resources designed for streamlined workflows.
Mark Eckert introduced a strategic planning framework aimed at small federations, offering practical templates for effective event planning and beach event management strategies.
The "Beach vs Indoor Volleyball - Strategic Dialogue," also moderated by Glenn Quinlan, facilitated an open forum where participants discussed resource allocation, facility availability, talent pathway development, and marketing opportunities, striving to identify a balanced approach for growth and sustainability in both formats.
The afternoon featured another session by Sabinah Clement on succession planning and volunteer management, emphasizing sustainable leadership pipelines. The day concluded with Lynne LeBlanc’s presentation on SmashBall and TripleBall, highlighting their integration with Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) principles and offering strategies tailored for small federations.
Basseterre, St. Kitts - December 11, 2025 – Day One of the ECVA Development Workshop held at Marriott Hotel, in St. Kitts, set the stage for a stimulating journey in volleyball development, uniting National Federations to explore innovative governance practices and empowerment strategies.
The afternoon session of the workshop continued with FIVB Platform Demonstration led by Hitesh Malhotra from the FIVB Team. Participants engaged in a remote demonstration on the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Platform, highlighting successful knowledge transfer systems and actionable best practices that have transformed volleyball worldwide.
Next, Glenn Quinlan, President ECVA and Mark Eckert, President Volleyball Canada engaged attendees with their session, Understanding FIVB Empowerment & Knowledge Transfer. This engaging presentation offered a deep dive into strategic initiatives that maximize platform resources and seamlessly integrate operations with the federations, enabling participants to fully harness the potential of these tools.
Ericson Leblanc, the ECVA Lead Technician behind the Volleyball Information System (VIS), took center stage to introduce the significance of effective data management in his session. Focusing on volleyball data, he demonstrated how the VIS can streamline operations and improve decision-making within National Federations.
The day progressed with a thought-provoking session on Interactive Governance Fundamentals, presented by Mark Eckert, President Volleyball Canada and Sabinah Clement, Vice President of the ECVA, First Executive VP of BVIOC and Member of FIVB Board of Administration. They addressed governance challenges faced by federations, providing real-world scenarios and solutions that fostered enriching discussions among participants.
Day one ended at 8:44 PM. The discussions set a strong foundation for reflecting and strategizing for the upcoming sessions.
Basseterre St. Kitts: December 11, 2025 – The Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) commenced its Development Workshop today at the Marriott Hotel in St. Kitts, marking a significant step toward enhancing the sport within the region. This year’s theme, "Foundations for the Future: Equipping Leaders, Strengthening Federations, Advancing the Game," reflects our commitment to fostering growth and leadership within our National Federations.
Glenn Quinlan, President of the ECVA, initiated the proceedings, expressing his gratitude to all attendees and underscoring the importance of collaboration in the development of volleyball. “This workshop is not just a gathering; it’s a commitment to building a stronger volleyball community in the Eastern Caribbean” Quinlan stated.
Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, the President of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA), opened the session by emphasizing the workshop's significance. He discussed how the workshop aims to improve working systems, tackle challenges, and achieve desired outcomes. Hoffiz acknowledged the cooperation among the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA), Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), and NORCECA in nurturing a culture of effective communication among the associations.
Dennis Knight, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), addressed the audience next, highlighting the federation's leadership role and the crucial contributions of dedicated individuals. He stressed the importance of commitment, trust, and well-organized efforts from federations to achieve their goals. Knight noted that the success of their initiatives relies on how effectively these organizations implement their plans, underscoring the need for focused action to get the job done.
The ECVA Development Workshop aims to meet the needs of the National Federations and assist participants with understanding strategic collaborators, funding pathways, building relationships, and organizational skills essential for fostering volleyball programs. Throughout the workshop, attendees will engage in a series of interactive sessions led by experts in the field, with the goal of empowering individuals and enhancing federations performance across the region.
Morning sessions continued with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Engagement Panel moderated by Glenn Quinlan with Panel Members Dennis Knight, Jennifer Nero, Glen Jeffers representing (SKNOC), Shayne Felicien (St. Lucia NOC), Sabinah Clement, Vice President of the ECVA, First Executive VP of BVIOC and Member of FIVB Board of Administration), Mark Eckert, President-Volleyball Canada, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz NORCECA President and Mushtaque Mohammed, President Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association CAZOVA and VP of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee -TTOC. Mr. Keith Joseph, President of Caribbean National Olympic Committee - CANOC joined us virtually.
For more information about the ECVA Development Workshop, please follow us on our website ecvolleyball.com and our social media platform.
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis. September 23, 2025. St. Kitts and Nevis’ own St. Clair Hodge has been selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) Volleyball Athletes’ Commission’s “Beyond the Sport” Program. The prestigious initiative, which runs from October 6–10 in Lausanne, Switzerland, is designed to support volleyball and beach volleyball players as they transition from elite competition into the next stage of their professional journey.
The week-long seminar targets athletes who are nearing retirement or are recently retired, offering them practical tools, expert insights, and networking opportunities to build meaningful and lasting careers beyond the court.
Hodge, who is also representing the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA), describes the program as a rare and invaluable opportunity.
“It’s an opportunity for retiring and retired volleyball players, whether beach or indoor, to network, upskill, and learn new things. This opportunity is incredible because it’s a selection from a global set of volleyball players. The process involved an application, a shortlist, and then an interview before the final participants were chosen,” he explained
Ahead of the program, participants have already received preparatory coursework focusing on personal branding, reputation, daily routines, and career accomplishments. Hodge believes the early exercises highlight the program’s commitment to helping athletes understand their strengths and position themselves for success.
Beyond personal development, Hodge is eager to leverage the experience for the benefit of sport in St. Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA).
“This is a perfect opportunity to advance my understanding of global operations, make international connections, and see how things are done on the global stage. The goal is to bring back ideas that can be applied not only in volleyball, but across different sporting disciplines in our Federation.” Hodge outlined.
In addition to his selection, Hodge continues to play an influential role in the advancement of local and regional sport. He currently serves as Chairman of the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC) Athletes’ Commission and sits on the executive of the St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Volleyball Association (SKAVA).
His involvement in the “Beyond the Sport” Program is an invaluable opportunity that places him among a pioneering group of global volleyball leaders preparing to shape life after playing.
Basseterre, St. Kitts. July 7, 2025. In celebration of World Volleyball Day, President of the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Volleyball Association (SKAVA), Mr. Glenn Quinlan, delivered a message reflecting on the growth, impact, and future of volleyball across the region.
“Today, we celebrate not just a sport, but a movement. One that continues to bring together communities, shape young lives, and inspire excellence across our 14-member countries,” Quinlan remarked.
The ECVA President highlighted the tremendous strides made in the sport, from humble beginnings to the establishment of structured leagues, regional championships, and participation in international competitions. He applauded the resilience and talent of athletes from small island nations who have risen to global standards, proving that determination and heart often outweigh resources.
“Whether it’s beach or indoor, we know this sport is more than just a game. It teaches discipline, teamwork, resilience, and pride, and it gives our young people a chance to dream bigger on and off the court,” he indicated.
Mr. Quinlan encouraged youth throughout the ECVA region to stay passionate, focused, and driven, reminding them that the game is evolving and so are the opportunities available; whether in professional play, academic scholarships, or national representation.
As part of the World Volleyball Day observance, Quinlan also called on regional stakeholders to recommit to building stronger programs, and to continue fostering a supportive environment for athletes and coaches alike.
“Happy World Volleyball Day from all of us here in the ECVA, and thank you,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, four male teams and three female teams competed in the NORCECA U21 Beach World Championship Qualifier over this past weekend (July 3-6), in the Dominican Republic. This is a monumental achievement- the first time ever that the ECVA has had such representation at this level.
Lausanne, Switzerland. St. Kitts and Nevis national Shawn Seabrookes has successfully completed the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP), a prestigious, globally recognised program, delivered by the University of Delaware and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The certification was conferred by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach during a distinguished graduation ceremony held on April 30, 2025, at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Seabrookes also received the Level III Coaching Certificate from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) during a brief post-graduation ceremony, underscoring his advanced expertise and continued commitment to volleyball development.
“Completing the ICECP and receiving the FIVB Level III certification has not only broadened my coaching perspective but reinforced my commitment to using sport as a tool for national development. I am excited to bring this knowledge back home to St. Kitts and Nevis and help shape the next generation of athletes, coaches, and sport leaders,” Seabrookes said, after receiving the certifications.
The ICECP, supported by Olympic Solidarity - the IOC’s global development initiative - aims to elevate national-level coaches with high-performance knowledge, leadership tools, and holistic development strategies. The program spanned one year and covered a wide range of core areas, including:
Seabrookes’ participation in the ICECP was made possible through a nomination by the St. Kitts Amateur Volleyball Association (SKAVA) and was endorsed by the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC). The SKNOC also funded his travel to Switzerland.
The program was delivered in five rigorous modules:
While in Switzerland, Seabrookes also engaged with key officials from the IOC and the FIVB, seeking to forge new pathways for the development of volleyball - and sport in general - in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Seabrookes has long been a central figure in the local sporting landscape, contributing as an athlete, coach, and administrator. He pledges to use both certifications, the ICECP and the FIVB Level III, to continue his advocacy for sport development in St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean.
