FOR athletes, falling in love with the sport they play comes naturally. A sport may just be a recreational activity for some but for an athlete, the sport becomes his or her passion.
It’s this passion that prompted a volleyball enthusiast to form a group so he could gather all the athletes with the same passion as his.
Niño Paul Tuquib created a club called Cebu Volleyball Addicts (CVA) through Facebook Groups last 2011.
“It was named Cebu Volleyball Addicts because of our addiction to the sport we have grown to love,” said Tuquib.
The group is composed of ex-varsity players, intramural players and individuals who simply love to play volleyball. The members have different personalities but they have the same enthusiasm for the sport.
Tuquib said the original members of the club were formed through an online forum, Istorya.net, in 2009. Their main objective back then was to have a regular volleyball session at least once a week, usually on Sundays.
“Most of us players back then were professionals who have been volleyball players since we were in school, some since elementary,” Tuquib said.
“Since volleyball is already a great part of our lives, we wanted to continue playing the sport we love,” he added.
From a group of only 15 players in 1999, the club now has 175 members with 50 to 60 active members. Some of the club members, mostly the original ones, are already working abroad but are still supporting the club.
Both professionals and students are welcome to join the CVA.
“We accept members through recommendation by current members. After an evaluation by the moderators, the new one may be accepted or rejected,” said Tuquib.
The most important criterion and the first thing the moderators check when screening members is good character. “Skills come after,” said Tuquib.
CVA also has members who are still beginners in volleyball but are very much willing to learn.
The club has three goals: to maintain the camaraderie among club members, to challenge the club members by having at least three regular tournaments in their club each year, and to join and to win different tournaments in Cebu and neighboring provinces.
CVA promotes love for volleyball without expecting anything in return.
Henry Pacres, who has been a member of CVA for four years, said he joined the club because he wanted to hone his skills. He has wanted to play volleyball since he was a kid.
The CVA, he said, taught him the values of patience and sportsmanship.
“CVA is my home. Because of this club, I was able to grow and become the person that I am today... The people that I am playing with are competitive and push me to my limits,” said Pacres.
Tuquib said he foresees their club growing even bigger with new members in five years’ time.
“I also want to see our members grow, and hopefully, our student members become proud professionals in their respective fields of endeavor,” he said.
Tuquib shared that they always value education. They encourage every student member to at least finish college.
“I’m proud to say that we have a number of successful professionals who can be a source of inspiration,” said Tuquib.
Tuquib said that CVA wants to contribute to the society through charitable works such as outreach programs. They also plan to hold a free volleyball clinic for children.