T&T men’s beach volleyball will begin their long journey towards qualification to next year’s Rio Olympics Beach Volleyball Tournament when the T&T Volleyball Federation plays host to the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Tournament, a first round qualifying event to the NORCECA Continental Cup. The three-day event serves off  at the National Development Centre, Saith Park, Chaguanas from today until Sunday from 9.30 am daily.

The tournament will feature  28 teams of  two men’s teams each from Aruba, Barbados, Bahamas, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Suriname, Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands and host T&T. T&T will be represented by recent ninth placed finishers in the 2015 NORCECA Beach Circuit Tour opener in Cayman Islands, in Fabien Whitfield and Daneil Williams, and its B-team of Tevin Joseph and Josiah Eccles.

Williams and Whitfield had qualified to compete in Cayman Islands without dropping a match or set in the first phase of the T&TVF’s five qualifying tournaments. The pair then played unbeaten in the second phase of qualifiers, four tournaments, as well, between March/April to get the nod for the Pan American Games carded for Canada in July.

The run of nine straight competition wins by the Toco-born duo tied the feat set by women’s pair, Ayana Dyette and Nancy Joseph, achieved between last year and the opening tournament of this season. Eccles and Joseph were runners-up in the local qualifiers to earn the other T&T team spot. Speaking following a training session at the tournament venue, yesterday, national coach David Thomas Jr said his was very confident in the ability of both local men’s teams.

“Our teams have been playing together for a while now just like a few other teams, but we have the added experience of being regular participants on the NORCECA Tour as well as having Whitfield and Williams reached as far as the semifinal stage of the London Olympicqualifiers four years ago”, said Thomas Jr.

However, the local men are not expected to have an easy ride to the finals and a top six finish as other notable line-ups include Bahamians Renaldo Knowles, Mullet Petit, Princtanique Wilson and  Byron Ferguson; Mark Lewis, Donovan Larry Richards, Ryck Mc Kenzie-Webb and  Christopher Walters (Jamaica) and Barbadians Daran Gill, Sheldon Roach, Winston Gittens, Elwyn Oxley.

Due to the late arrival to T&T of most of the teams, the Preliminary Inquiry to be conducted by the Control Committee headed by Tournament Director Arnaldo Sanchez was due to take place on last night at the Cascadia Hotel & Conference Centre, to be followed by the Technical Meeting at the same venue.

The ECVA held it first round qualifiers two weeks ago with St Lucia emerging as champions ahead of  Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts/Nevis, Dominica, St Vincent and The Grenadines, and Dutch St Marteen. For the tournament, each team will compete under a country versus country format in a best-of-three series with a “Golden Set” up to 15 points or a two-point advantage in case of a tied series.

Daymian Stewart, President of the T&T Volleyball Federation was quick to point out that his federation was very proud to do its part in the development of the sport by hosting one leg of the Olympic qualifiers. However, he also highlighted the fact that it was no coincident that the top three countries at the women’s qualifiers in Jamaica last weekend are the same countries hosting Beach Volleyball events in Jamaica, Cayman Islands and T&T.

He added, “It’s also a momentous occasion for CAZOVA, and it’s the first single event in which all its 14 members will participate.” Stewart also saluted the support of all the sponsors that have come aboard for the event and made special commendation to the T&T Olympic Committee (T&TOC), and its President Brian Lewis for its full support.

Among the sponsors who have come on board to make the tournament a success are KFC, FLOW, Tourism Development Company (TDC), Toyota, Sport Company of T&T (Sportt), Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA), North, Central American and Caribbean (NORCECA) and the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) in partnership with the T&T Volleyball Federation.

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The Trinidad and Tobago national netball team suffered an opening-night defeat to England in their first of three games of their test series yesterday at the University of Bath court.
The series is serving as a warm-up, as both teams are preparing for the Netball World Cup to be hosted in Sydney, Australia this August.
T&T were given a stern welcome as they lost 65-42, despite making a match of it in the final quarter.
The hosts hit the ground running as they took the initiative, making early interceptions, which helped them to an eight-point cushion at the end of the first quarter. The second session offered no respite, as England stretched their lead even further to 12 points. When both sets of players trudged off the court, T&T were staring at defeat with the score at 36-24.
T&T rallied in the second period, scoring several long-range shots which kept them competitive. The final 15 minutes saw them attack the English fiercely, but they were unable to make up the deficit.
The next game in the series tomorrow is a must-win for the "Calypso Girls" if they are to get back in the series. The series is the first of two T&T will play in Europe, as they next travel to Northern Ireland to face some of the world's top teams after their matches with England.
The World Cup is scheduled for August 7-16, and T&T will face ten-time champions Australia and four-time winners New Zealand, as well as regional rivals Barbados, who they defeated in the AFNA final last year in Canada.

Lineups
England starting 7: GS - Housby, GA - Cookey, WA - Haythornthwaite, C - Bayman, WD - Malcolm, GD - Mkoloma, GK - Cook
Trinidad & Tobago starting 7: GS - Wallace, GA - Cooper, WA - Jack, C - John-Davis, WD - Guerero, GD - Duncan, GK – Swift
Remaining fixtures
Tomorrow - The Copper Box Arena, London 12.30 p.m. TT Time
May 11 - Echo Arena, Liverpool 2.15 p.m. TT Time

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Messi double puts Barça in control against Bayern

FC Barcelona are on the brink of reaching their eighth European Cup showpiece after finally breaking FC Bayern München's resistance in the last 13 minutes of this UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg, Lionel Messi scoring two goals before creating a late third for Neymar.

In a pulsating first half, Barcelona largely held the upper hand and Bayern had cause to be grateful to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who saved one-on-ones with Luis Suárez and Daniel Alves to keep the score blank at the break. Robert Lewandowski had spurned an equally presentable opening for the visitors, yet just when it was starting to look like they would escape unscathed, Messi – making his 100th European appearance – eventually found a way through 13 minutes from time. Three minutes later his sublime control and delicate chip made it 2-0 before the No10's added-time pass released Neymar to roll in a third.

Josep Guardiola, making his first return to the Camp Nou in the opposition ranks, opted to play three at the back, marking man for man from the off. The policy nearly backfired as Suárez latched onto Messi's flick from Marc-André ter Stegen's kick and bore down on Neuer unchallenged – but the goalkeeper's outstretched right leg blocked his shot.

Moments later Suárez wriggled free inside the penalty area and found Neymar at the far post; Bayern's Rafinha deflected the effort behind and that was the cue for the Bundesliga champions to switch to a more familiar back four.

Guardiola had been able to call on Robert Lewandowski despite the forward suffering jaw and nose injuries the previous week and, though the Pole was anonymous early on, he took centre stage in the 18th minute only to fluff his lines. Thomas Müller won possession and his cross picked out the unmarked Lewandowski; the striker was unable to apply the finishing touch.

That scare aside, Barcelona – beaten 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern in their last UEFA Champions League semi-final in 2013 – seemed the more likely, Suárez nodding over from a corner. Six minutes before the interval Bayern were caught out again as Andrés Iniesta lifted a wonderful pass over their defence. Alves controlled on his chest; again Neuer blocked with his legs.

Bayern began the second period on the front foot yet it was the home side who continued to appear the more dangerous. Messi traded passes with Neymar to create space to shoot; Neuer was right behind it. The goalkeeper then watched Neymar's attempt sail over after Ivan Rakitić had fed the Brazilian.

Barcelona, and Messi, would not be denied, however. Alves did the legwork for the 77th-minute breakthrough, robbing Juan Bernat and finding Messi; the forward duly fired inside Neuer's near post. With Bayern rocking, the Blaugrana maestro capitalised again moments later, collecting Rakitić's pass and leaving Jérôme Boateng floundering before clipping over Neuer.

Bayern's hopes were hanging by a thread, and they all but disappeared in the closing seconds. Messi's ball sent Neymar clear of the visiting rearguard and this time Neuer had no answer as a composed finish left Barça with one foot in the final.

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Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid CF

Carlos Tévez's penalty gave Juventus the edge in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid CF after a gripping contest in Turin.

A vibrant start from the home side brought early reward as Álvaro Morata struck against the club he left last summer, but Madrid responded swiftly and levelled before the half-hour with Cristiano Ronaldo's ninth goal in this season's UEFA Champions League and 76th overall. Juve, however, regained the initiative through Tévez's spot kick early in the second half, earning them a slender but valuable lead to take to Spain next week.

Juventus, in their first semi-final since beating Madrid in 2002/03, began at pace and were in front before ten minutes had been played. Stefano Sturaro – making his first UEFA Champions League start – and Morata had already tested Iker Casillas before Claudio Marchisio played a pass into Tévez down the right channel. The Argentinian's low shot was only pushed out by Casillas and Morata could not miss.

Madrid's riposte was swift, Toni Kroos calling Gianluigi Buffon into action for the first time before Isco's pass offered Ronaldo the chance to stretch his legs; the shot was dragged across the face of goal. The next opportunity came Juve's way, as Stephan Lichtsteiner got the better of Marcelo down the right and advanced into the penalty area, but his hurried effort was slashed wide.

Three minutes later, the full impact of that miss was felt as Madrid equalised with a fine goal. With the ball bouncing into the home penalty box, James Rodríguez lifted a volleyed cross in for Ronaldo to nod past Buffon from close range.

The momentum had shifted and it was Madrid who should have scored the third goal of a thrilling first half. A slick passing move worked the ball from right to left, Isco breaking clear and centring for James. From two metres out and with the goal beckoning, the Colombian somehow headed against the crossbar; Marcelo's follow-up landed on the top of the net.

Although the second period began at a more considered pace than the first, it burst into life in the 56th minute as Juve counterattacked at speed. Morata slipped in a pass to Tévez, who burst into the area only to be felled by Dani Carvajal. The Argentinian picked himself up to slot the penalty past Casillas.

Madrid were unable to muster a second equaliser as Juventus preserved their one-goal cushion with some degree of comfort. Indeed, it was the newly-crowned Italian champions who came closest to another goal, first as Raphaël Varane failed to cut out a long ball and substitute Fernando Llorente rounded Casillas; Carvajal was there to pip Roberto Pereyra to his fellow replacement's cross.

Llorente passed up an even better opening in added time having been picked out in space by Andrea Pirlo's free-kick. His weak header was blocked by the goalkeeper, leaving the tie finely balanced.

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The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) National Beach Games is on the drawing board.

Trinidad and Tobago's participation at the inaugural World Beach Games is the goal.

Last year the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) approved a proposal for the first World Beach Games. 

Beach Volleyball will be one of the marquee sports at the World Beach Games.

This weekend's (8-10 May)  Rio 2016 Olympic Games Caribbean Zone Men's Beach Volleyball Qualifier to be hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation (TTVF) is not only important for the teams contesting for qualification for the Rio Olympics.

But its an opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago to showcase its ability to host a high profile Beach Volleyball event.

KFC, FLOW, Tourism Development Company(TDC) , Toyota, Sport Company, Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association(CAZOVA), North, Central American and Caribbean (NORCECA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee are partnering with the T&T Volleyball Federation to bring Rio 2016 Men's Caribbean Zone Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualification to Trinidad and Tobago.

This weekend 8th-10th May, Saith Park Chaguanas will be converted into a beach volleyball festival as twenty-eight (28) teams from fourteen (14) Caribbean countries including host T&T, will battle to advance to the next round on the road to Rio 2016. Only six(6) of the 28 teams will advance to the next phase.

On the three days of competition, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the action gets going from 10:00 am. Aside from the high quality and keenly contested on the sand action, fan will have opportunities to win cash prizes as there will be a number of fan engagement activities. Also the national youth and Junior teams will stage a fund raising Bar-Bar Que Saturday 9th May at the venue.

A number of Foreign Official will be in TnT for the Olympic Qualifier. CAZAVO President Mushtaque Mohammed will represent as the NORCECA Delegate and Analdo Sanchez of Dominican Republic tournament Director.

The Participating teams are;

Aruba: Elmerlindo Robles De Medina, Dwayne Angela, Fransua Angela, Michaello Martilia

Barbados: Daran Gill, Sheldon Roach, Winston Gittens, Elwyn Oxley.

Bahamas: Renaldo Knowles, Mullet Petit, Princtanique Wilson, Byron Ferguson

Bonaire: Richison Frans, Farley Marcera, Percy Prudencia, Deebro Trinidad

Cayman Islands: Kirk Shervin Rankin, Richard Campbell, Olney Thompson, Phillippe Des Landes

Curacao: Derwin Colina, Quinten Anthony, Norandy Bonafasia, Kiran Ersilia

Guadeloupe: Arnouts Baptiste, Lavoye Cedric, Guillaume Coudevylle, Loic Couchy

Haiti: Senel Volvick Dupuy, Alexis Marco, Fritz-Emmanuel Mabou, Kempes Vilmot

Jamaica: Mark Lewis, Donovan Larry Richards, Ryck Mc Kenzie-Webb, Christopher Walters

Martinique: Lopes Jefferson, Lowinsky Edouard, Africa Freddy, Lienafa Derek

Suriname: Eurwin Daans, Roberto Joval, Keven Sporkslede, Furgil Ong A Fat

T&T: Fabien Whitfield, Daneil Williams, Tevin Joseph, Josiah Eccles

Turks & Caicos: Edner Cox, Darado Fulford, Jephte Moncher, Tanikko De Angels Clarke

USVI: Edward Peter Jr, Carlos Rosa, Gustavo Cintron, Bradley Riding-Connor