Belize Women’s Volleyball National Team Secures Historic Gold

On Saturday night, inside the Belize City Civic Centre, Belize’s Under-21 Women’s Volleyball Team made history. For the first time since the nation organised a national volleyball team in 1990, Team Belize secured a gold medal. Their victory in the twentieth Under-21 Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship marks a significant achievement, catapulting them to new heights. Despite being the country with the smallest population in the region, Team Belize dominated against countries with populations ten times larger. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there to witness the historic event unfold, and here is his report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A parade through the streets of Belize City is just one of the events organised to celebrate the National Under-21 Women’s Volleyball Team’s gold medal victory. For five days, Team Belize performed before cheering fans inside the Belize City Civic Centre. Night after night, they displayed dominance and overcame their opponents.

 

Allan Sharp, President, Belize Volleyball Association

“At lot of sports have come asking, how did you get there, what did you do? I think the number one thing to remember is it is not an overnight thing. It takes a long time to develop. Our first national team went out in 1990. None of you were born. You are under twenty-one.”

 

 

 

 

A press conference was held this morning at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex to celebrate the historic gold medal. Allan Sharp, the President of the Belize Volleyball Association, underscored the significance of this gold medal victory.

 

 

 

 

 

Allan Sharp

“What was fantastic with this one is that it was dominant, dominant, three zero every time. I think only Nicaragua get past twenty in one set. We made it known that little Belize, of the forty plus million people in all of Central America, we with the four hundred thousand, we got talent.”

 

 

 

 

Belize played its gold medal match on Saturday night against Guatemala, a team that has dominated the tournament in the past. But Guatemala was no match for Belize’s strategic plays, height, and strength. The stadium erupted in celebration the moment Team Belize scored its final point to secure victory. National pride beamed throughout the Civic Center.  News Five witnessed the moment and spoke with the players.

 

 

 

 

Gareth Bruce, Team Captain

“This is such an emotional and amazing feeling. Belize made history. Our first gold medal ever. OMG, this is so amazing. It is so different because in 2022 we got silver. We lost to Guatemala. So not just getting gold is bringing the amazing feeling in this tournament, but also winning them again.”

 

 

 

 

Paul Lopez

“And you also did it in fine style, not only going undefeated but with a perfect score as well. How is it that you all were able to maintain your focus throughout this week and accomplish that?”

 

 

 

 

Gareth Bruce

“We had good coaching staff, good fans, good teammates, and as a leader I just had to keep my team motivated even when the times were getting difficult, I needed to keep them motivated and well disciplined.”

 

As the champions stood on the podium, proudly adorned with gold medals, confetti explosions marked the moment. Nisan Martinez received the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament award.

 

Nissan Martinez, M.V.P.

“Mein, I don’t know how to feel. I am so excited. I am so proud. All the hard work really pays off. I want to say a big thank you to my team, staff, coach, all of us who put our all into this all year round. Lately we have been focusing on this tournament. We went to the U-Twenty-Three in preparation for this tournament. So, that definitely paid off for real.”

 

 

 

 

We also heard from coach Nelissa Martinez. Coach Martinez has played on national teams that have medaled before. On Saturday, she celebrated the nation’s first volleyball gold as a guide and motivator on the sidelines.

 

Nelissa Martinez, Coach

“I was seh this pan news, I hope all the players get a piece of land, get money if it is possible. I am serious about it, because we invest a lot in volleyball, Ms. Lupita invest a lot in volleyball. We don’t want to just see faces come around all of a sudden to take pictures. We need them to do something for us. Do something for the team.”

 

Spoken like a true coach who understood the time, energy, and resources invested behind this gold medal win.

 

Minister of Sports Rodwell Ferguson was present at today’s press conference to congratulate the team. He announced that his ministry is working on logistics to reward the team with an all-expenses-paid weekend in San Pedro for the Belize International Music and Food Festival.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports

“We are trying to find a hotel room for you if you want to go, but it is a bit difficult. That would be our prize we offer to you from the Ministry of Sports to allow you to go to the fest in San Pedro once we find hotel rooms. So far it is almost impossible. But we are trying to get in Caye Caulker and makes sure we get a good boat to take you to Caye Caulker after the concert to make sure you get to Caye Caulker safely. So, by the end of the today we will call Mr. Allan. If you all want to go we will provide a room for you in Caye Caulker to visit on the weekend. If it is a good gift for you let me know, let me say yes or no so we can continue.”

 

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.