St. John’s/Zeeburg, IPE crowned champions

Mar 15, 2009 Sports

-Hope that the Girls inclusion will change perception-Dr. Anthony

St. John’s / Zeeburg Community High School pose with Dr. Frank Anthony and Neil Kumar (centre) shortly after capturing the title.

By Rawle Welch
St. John’s /Zeeburg (Boys) and Institute of Professional Education (IPE) (Girls) were crowned the respective champions of the 2009 National Sports Commission Mashramani Schools Volleyball Championships which was played Friday, at the West Demerara Secondary School ground.
In the Boys final, St. John’s / Zeeburg defeated Professional Learning Institute (PLI) 25-17 with Most Valuable player Gordon Hartman producing a solid performance.

Earlier, Stewartville Secondary School won a close contest against Vreed-en-Hoop to grab third place. They beat then 15-13.
In semi-final action, PLI got the better of Stewartville 25-19, while St. John’s / Zeeburg narrowly defeated Vreed-en-Hoop 26-24.
In the Girls final, IPE was a comfortable winner against School of the Nations, beating them 15-10, 15-9, while Goed Fortuin was taken to three sets, before getting past Stewartville 15-11, 11-15, and 15-3 to claim third place.

In semi-final play, IPE eliminated Goed Fortuin in straight sets 15-8, 15-7, while School of the Nations removed Stewartville, also in straight sets 15-10, 15-8.
Defending champions Patentia failed to make it past the preliminary rounds which saw fourteen teams participate in the competition.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony in his remarks shortly before presenting the respective winners with their trophies said he was extremely heartened by the fact that five girls teams participated in the tournament.

“I hope that their inclusion in the competition will help change the perception that sports is just a male thing,” Dr. Anthony commented.
The Minister added that the mere fact that they participated sets a good example for the society, while commending the teachers for their sacrifice in helping to prepare the students to compete in the competition.

Champions IPE poses with Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.

“As some of you may know, we’ve started a partnership with the Ministry of Education to have more sports back on the schools curriculum and this will be aided by the setting up of a Resource Centre which will have all the theoretical materials needed to facilitate studies in sports,” Dr. Anthony informed.
He said that many other careers can be developed through the involvement in sports.
Dr. Anthony then thanked the NSC and Organiser Jadeshwar Doolchand, who holds a Level 11 Coaching Certificate for a job well done.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who was also present at Friday’s activity congratulated Doolchand for organising a well run tournament, adding that he would like to see more students involved in the sport since it is cheap and good and presents a wonderful opportunity for anyone to represent their country.
“As you know, we participate in volleyball at the Inter-Guianas Games and I am looking forward to seeing some of you on the national team very soon,” Kumar stated.
The Director hinted that Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have both expressed a desire to participate in the Games as early as next year.

Latest News