Jamaica Volleyball Association (JAVA) president, Pat Garel, is pleased with what she refers to as encouraging developments that have been taking place in the sport in recent weeks and believes they could go a long way in helping the team qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Most recently, Jamaican David Jack was named an assistant coach at Indiana University, and joins a host of others, including Georgette Crawford at North Carolina Central University and Jennifer Addison at Mercy College.

Former national captain

Jack was a former national team captain and represented the country from 1985-98. He was also an eight-time All-American at the U.S. Open Championships between 1990 and 2005.

Before landing that job the former national representative served as the head coach of the Girls' 18-1 Elite team and as the camp director for the Long Island Big Apple Volleyball Club in Long Island, New York between 2002-2005. He guided the team to consecutive Junior Olympic national bids.

Jack also founded the Salt City Volleyball Club in Syracuse, New York, and also coached the 18-1 Elite boys' team from 1995-2000.

"I think that these things are tremendous for volleyball because there are people achieving in the sport but have been in the background," Garel said.

"To that extent Jamaica has a lot of coaches and players overseas that have shown an interest in our programme and will help us qualify for the Beijing Olympics," she added.

Wealth of talent

"I think the wealth of talent that we have in Jamaica abounds when it is organised, especially when there is synergy between local bodies and people overseas," she pointed out.

Last month Jamaica's Kai Wright was selected to the inaugural North Carolina Collegiate Sports Infor-mation Association College Division All-State volleyball team. Wright, who is still a junior, claimed All-State Second Team recognition as a right-side hitter.

- K.M.