With less than a month to go before the 2025 Caribbean Volleyball Championships in the Bahamas, Jamaica’s national men’s and women’s volleyball teams are facing a harsh and familiar reality — the fight to simply get there.
The August 13–23 tournament is a major event on the regional calendar, but despite months of preparation, the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JVA) has yet to secure the US$25,000 needed to cover airfare and accommodation for the delegation. With flight prices rising daily, time is running out.
“We are right now looking for a sponsor for the airline tickets because that is the priority,” said men’s head coach Gateshu Bonner. “That’s the main thing we need help with to even get on the plane. We’ve sent out sponsorship letters, but we haven’t gotten any responses so far.”
The trip would require airfare for 16 individuals — 12 players, 3 coaches, and a manager — with each ticket costing roughly US$900. While the host federation has offered discounted accommodation, Bonner said all other expenses, including gear and travel logistics, are falling to the team and association.
JaVA President Jackie Cowan revealed that efforts to secure funding began months ago — and have so far yielded nothing. “We’ve had somebody trying to help us since February, and we haven’t even gotten a dollar,” she said. “You keep pushing, sending letters, knocking on doors, and still can’t get the basic costs covered.”
Cowan admitted that the situation isn’t surprising — just deeply frustrating. “Last year, our budget to host a tournament was J$20 million, and the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) gave us J$250,000. That is what we’re up against.”
She added, “It’s not just the men. We’re trying to send both the men’s and women’s teams. It’s looking very dark right now, yes, but it’s not going to stop us.”
Men’s team manager Renae Temple confirmed that the airfare alone — pegged at US$12,000 — is the most urgent expense, and ideally should already have been booked. “We really should be purchasing those tickets now, this week or next week,” she said. “The closer we get, the more expensive they become.”
No sponsorship has yet been confirmed, although Temple is still following up on leads that may provide partial support. “Even if some of them come through, it still wouldn’t cover everything. So far, we haven’t received any sponsorship.”
Temple, who also managed the team’s trip to Suriname last year, said this year’s struggle is not an anomaly. “It’s not unique. Volleyball is considered a minor sport here, so most times the help we get comes from people we know — players’ employers, family, friends. That’s how we get by.”
The situation reflects a wider trend. Jamaica is also preparing to host a regional tournament from July 13 to August 4, but only four countries have confirmed participation, down from the usual eight. Cowan said other countries are in the same position — unable to afford the travel.
Still, she is pressing on. “We’ve done everything we can. We’ve reached out to SDF, to the Ministry. But based on experience, when or if they do give us anything, it’s usually just a drop in the bucket.”
For now, the JVA, its coaches, and the athletes continue to train and wait — hoping that support will come before it’s too late.
