The top two executives in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) have officially resigned from their positions.
Former President Devince Smith and First Vice-President Margaret 'Muggy' Albury were re-elected to serve two-year terms back in 2013, but because of a number of ongoing conflicts within the association, both have decided not to finish the remainder of their terms in office.
"I really want everyone to know that my decision was not based on the outcome of the last meeting," said Smith. "This is something that I have been contemplating for a while, because the feuds have been going on for some time now, and recently I accepted a more senior role at my current job. So I have to put more time into my profession and personal career.
"Both of us have put in some eight-plus years as president and first vice-president respectively. As much as possible we tried to abide by our constitution, and would host annual management committee meetings, and it is discouraging sometimes when something doesn't turn out in a club's favor, because they would then get together, form groups and come to community meetings and overrule what was originally stated."
Smith is currently the vice president of the Bahamas Volleyball Federation (BVF) and head coach of the Scotiabank Defenders of the NPVA, but with all of the turmoil surrounding his resignation, Smith is contemplating resigning as a head coach as well.
"The league does not respect its constitution. And that makes me wonder if I want my team to still be a part of this," he said. "If teams can always get together and overrule the constitution in their best interest it makes it tough.
"I want to be a part of an organization that I can be comfortable with, and one that I know stands by the constitution no matter what."
Smith said that he will now turn his full attention to the BVF, and will work to ensure that national teams are always at their best.
The men's national team will take part in the 22nd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Volleyball championships that will be held in Veracruz, Mexico and begin on Tuesday, November 25.
The vice president of the BVF noted that the team is as prepared as it can be, given the number of obstacles that it had to overcome.
"As usual we have been having trouble with practice facilities," Smith said. "I want to thank coach Kevin 'KJ' Johnson from C.I. Gibson, he has been very generous in allowing us some practice time in the school's facility.
"We are still having challenges with the national stadium. We tried to practice there one day this week, but the supervisor of the facility kicked us out, and I think it's like there's no respect for the national team, especially preparing for a competition like the CAC. We will be looking to leave on the 21st to try and get some practice in prior to the commencement of men's volleyball, because they will be the true tests for us."
One of the other hurdles they had to get past was the injury to team setter Tony Simon.
"Simon has been the team's starting setter for the past few years, and he has assisted in getting the team to this level, but we cannot look back and cry over that," said Smith. "What we have done, is we have moved Renaldo Knowles, a universal player who is also a good setter into that position. We also have Gage Smith, a young player who won best setter at the Junior Caribbean Volleyball Championships (CVC) championships."
Men's volleyball will be the only team sport that The Bahamas will be represented in at the 2014 CAC Games. It will also be the largest tournament that the team has ever played in.

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