Fédération Internationale de Volleyball: Oranjestad, Aruba, Oct. 26, 2012 – It was only a third place finish for Aruba in Cayman Islands earlier this month at the NORCECA-E First Round Tournament of the 2014 Men’s FIVB World Championship but good enough to secure a spot in next year’s second round of competitions and also to generate a lot of attention from the local media.

“We are very happy with this achievement,” President of Aruba Volleyball Association Filomena David-Curiel says. “This is the first time in Aruba’s volleyball history that we manage to pass through the second round of the world qualification tournament.”

“We are receiving now a lot of attention from the media and also the community and Aruba in general are sharing this victory of the National Male Selection,” David-Curiel added.

She also commented about receiving a congratulations letter from NORCECA President, Mr Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, on behalf of the presidency of the Confederation and also of new FIVB President, Dr. Ary S. Graça F°.

David-Curiel thanked Marte Hoffiz and Dr Graça, for all the support and assistance received as part of the development plan of NORCECA Confederation.

“The Aruba Volleyball Association and myself we are grateful to the NORCECA and FIVB assistance and help, because without their support, I am sure we could not make it,” she expressed.

The early round of tournaments in NORCECA, eight per gender in 2012, forms part of the confederation global development plan as it offers the opportunity to the less developed National Federations to compete and then establish their real situation within their region and at a continental level.

Aruba ousted hosts Cayman Islands in five sets for the third place and last ticket to the 2013 round of tournaments towards the final phase of the competition to be held in Poland in 2014.

“You can’t imagine how big this qualification to next year’s phase is for us,” she said. “Our players will have another chance to play and taste the next level and now we have opened some eyes in the community of Aruba.”

The development plan of NORCECA Confederation, under the supervision of Mr Mushtaque Mohammed of Trinidad & Tobago, is receiving the logistical assistance from FIVB Technical Department and the financial support from FIVB Development Fund Program.

“Playing is part of development,” David-Curiel said. “I understand we have to start from the bottom of the pyramid but at the same time this achievement created a lot of interest towards our sport and I am sure will be positive for our future development.”

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