Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

The Jamaica Volleyball Association (JVBA) has invited two 26-member male and female squads to prepare for this year's Caribbean Championships, which will be held in Barbados from July 13-21.

Wayne Robertson, president of the JVBA, said the camp is designed to get players match-ready for a number of upcoming tournaments.

"Our aim in training this squad is to get the team in a state of readiness not only for this tournament, but also for other upcoming championships later in the year," he said.

Jamaica's male team finished third in the last tournament held in The Bahamas in 2006 which was won by Barbados.

"We have the talent pool here to do the job, but we need to improve on our tactical and technical ability," said Robertson. "We need to be a lot sharper in our execution and we also need to increase our level of intensity."

Both teams will be coached by former national player, Dave Jack, who is now head coach at the University of Indiana.

Five overseas-based players have been included in the female squad: They are Avaniki Campbell, Naima Stennett, Shadeiky Hamilton, Kai Wright and Georgette Crawford-Coorks.

The other members of the squad are Cherine Richards, Cheryl Daley, Keisha Edwards, Paula-Ann Porter, Simone Forbes, Tracy-Ann Findlay, Kelly-Ann Fagan, Joylene Hyde, Nardrake Hutchinson, Tashai Williams, Tanya Distant, Khesia Livingston, Shantel Moore, Cafellon, Sasha-Lee Wallen, Marits-Ann Sinclair, Tasha-Gaye Richards, Roxanne Smith, Latusha Simpson and Deshaun Darlington.

The male invitees are: Namarie Gordon, Damion Bigby, Patrico Grant, Patrick Atkinson, Alwayne Easy, Kenneth Reid, Andre McLean, Ricardo Chong, Delroy Salmon, Omar Fraser, Richard Reynolds, Delan Brown, Tafari Samuels, Danny Wilson, Mark Lewis, Errol Smith, Conaradio Taylor, Darren Arthurs, Robert Andrews, Shavoy Irving, Damien Tobias, Kemar Parchment, Gavin Willis, Kenneth Waugh and Damion Downer.