Fiji Volleyball Federation hopes to make changes to its administration structures come 2017.

FVF president Elesi Ketedromo told SUNsports yesterday that they hope to take the sport to another level next year.

“The idea of trying to make changes to the administration is to take the sport to another level,” she said.

“This not being accepted or taken on board and was a major challenge in 2016. After much talks and negotiations, I am sure this has been taken on board.

“There is definitely a need to improve in the hosting of our local events and much had been done to better this. The move to host events for clubs in one way has been identified where there would be potential and raw talents to nurture for national and international representations,” she added.

The highlight for FVF next year, is the hosting of one leg of the 2017 World Beach Pro Tour in January, next year which will be held in Pacific Harbour.

“Highlight for 2017 is Fiji again been given the green light to host one of the legs of the World Beach Pro Tour. There is just so much delight in this event being brought to our shores and preparations are underway to host this prestigious event.”

Ketedromo also said they would look into the development of local coaches. “There is also a need to accredit our local coaches. We have our very own local accreditation system and the need to organise regional and international accreditation for them.

“The need to give back to them what they deserve and that is to send them for regional and international recognition. We had achieved much in the area of refereeing, however our local coaches do need this exposure,” she added.

Highlights of 2016

– Our national women’s team has qualified for the second phase of the World qualifying rounds in Thailand, next year.

– Fiji Volleyball was able to host two volleyball events including the first phase of the men’s world qualifying rounds.

“We are grateful with the opportunity to host the second beach volleyball event after 15 years where our men’s team won gold in the zonal event and the three back-to-back events that were held in Nadi- Fiji Open, Zonal and the Oceania Volleyball Championship.

“It was also good to see that our technical officials (referees) got their accreditation as regional beach volleyball referees,”

Funding was also FVF main hurdle this year.

“Funding has always been a major drawback for any sporting organisation. For volleyball we had faced great difficulties in obtaining funds for the hosting of our regional events. “Though we work with limited resources; it still does not take away the fact, that there is a need to work together to solicit support for funding.

“The need to permeate into the club structure was one of the challenges faced.

“However, this as planned can be achieved by hosting and organising events for clubs at national level,” she added.

New Year’s resolution

“Work smart and achieve what had been planned and that is to have a development centre for volleyball established in Fiji to better the way our local events are being organised.

“The need to work together to determine the best way around. This is to obtain funding through better collaboration and networking with stakeholders.

“Work smart in establishing beach venues to promote this discipline,” Ketedromo added.

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