JaVA organising relief for Vikings Volleyball Club
Published:Sunday | November 2, 2025 | 12:09 AMGregory Bryce - Staff Reporter
Audley Weir, general secretary of the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA), says they are organising relief efforts for Vikings Volleyball Club in Westmoreland, which has been devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Weir said while the clubs based in the Corporate Area were spared heavy damage from the hurricane, Vikings bore the brunt of the hurricane.
He said the association has only been able to contact one person from the club, Errol Smith.
“Most of the members on this side of the island, which would be St Catherine and Kingston, did not see much impact,” Weir explained.
“It’s mostly our members in Westmoreland who were affected. We were only able to get through to one individual there due to not having the communication channels open ... and we are trying to coordinate some relief efforts.”
Weir said despite the association’s small size, they are committed to helping the clubs in times of need.
Based on communications with Smith, several members of Vikings are currently without a roof over their head and are in dire need of support.
“We are a small organisation, but based on what we observed in terms of the devastation and so forth, we wanted to lend our support to our club and their community,” Weir said.
“When I spoke with Errol, I wanted to have an idea of what would be required down that side. He basically explained that anything we think is necessary would be required,” he continued.
“There are persons down there who would have lost everything; there’s no water, people need clothes, babies need pampers, anything that you can think of.”
DONATIONS WELCOMED
Weir explained while JaVA is organising their relief effort as an association, they have also called on the public to help through donations.
He said donations are being accepted at the JaVA office, located at the National Arena, as well as Papine High School.
Paradise Volleyball Club and Venus Volleyball Club are the two teams leading the collection effort, which started yesterday.
“The efforts are being spearheaded by the Paradise Volleyball Club and Venus Volleyball Club,” he said.
“So persons can donate at the Papine High School, and it will be an ongoing effort, not just a one day thing.
“Our office at the National Arena, the persons who want to assist with the effort in Westmoreland, they can always donate at the office as well.”