SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, February 23, 2005.- Thirty seven participants from 10 countries received on Tuesday their certificates after taking part in a one-week VIS Course lectured by Mr. Tomas Kuropka of Poland. 

The course was held under the auspices of the FIVB Regional Development Center in the Dominican Republic and the North Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (Norceca). 

Mr. Nelson Ramirez, Director of the Center and Mr. Cristobal Marte, President of the Norceca, both attended the ceremony. 

The participants in the VIS Course came from Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica, Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela and Dominican Republic. 

Mr. Kuropka is a well accredited professional with vast experience obtained as VIS supervisor in World League, World Cups, World Grand Prix and Olympic Games. 

“This course is the first step for all participants and I hope that with good practice all of them can polish the tools they have received,” said Kuropka. “This is a good year to achieve that goal with all the events toward the 2006 World Championships.” 

Kuropka added: “I also expect all the participants can transfer the knowledge to people in their respective countries and involve more people in volleyball.”

He also praised the facilities at the Development Center in the Dominican Republic which he rated as excellent. 

“There are good classrooms, good computers labs and above all the nearby courts for the demonstration to the students,” he said. “I think the Center has the capacity to organize courses for coaches, referees and all the volleyball development programs.”