National volleyball coach Gatasheu Bonner is stressing the need for coaches and officials to be properly qualified as a means of improving the sport in the country.

Bonner said coaches should be equipped to teach the game so that players who break into the national set-up would already be exposed to fundamental and basic volleyball techniques.

While discussing the need for Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA) to boost the growth of the game, Bonner noted that many coaches are either unwilling or unable to teach the basic rudiments.

“Some days it’s frustrating for senior players and coaches, because [some younger] players don’t know the basic fundamentals of the sport, which should have been taught to them in their earlier stages,” said Bonner at a recent Jamaica Observer Sports Club forum.

“In order for volleyball to make a progressive move in Jamaica, the sport needs more coaches and officials. Not only coaches, but the officials must be more qualified,” he added.

The sport has not progressed at the rate that Steve Brown, president of the local body, is satisfied with.

He believes there have not been many coaches to teach the sport from the early development stages, including at the primary and high school levels, and hence finding it harder for players to adjust to the correct technique as they become older.

Leighton Cummings is the only Jamaican referee currently active at the international level.

More persons like him could help the image of the sport locally and inspire Jamaican youths to push for careers in volleyball as players, coaches or officials, as is the case with many other more recognised sporting disciplines.

When nudged on the topic of volleyball securing a foothold on the local sporting landscape, Brown expressed deep optimism.

“With the proper help of coaches and stable funding to the sport, by the next two years, volleyball will be as popular as compared to football and other major sports in Jamaica,” said the volleyball boss.