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7 elected to NMIVA board
Tyce Mister, seen in this file photo competing in a beach volleyball tournament, is elected to the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association board of directors. (Saipan Tribune)
Former national team players Tyce Mister and Chris Nelson were among the seven individuals elected to the Northern Mariana Islands Volleyball Association’s board of directors.
Nelson, Mister, Shawn Davis, Kathy Winkfield, Ryan Camacho, Mychal Omar, and Somia Quan were elected during last Monday’s election. The board is expected to meet before the month ends to elect its officers.
“Thanks to all of those who put their names up for nomination to the NMIVA. It is encouraging to see the renewed interest. I am confident that the new board will provide great leadership to move NMIVA forward—and there is lots to look forward to,” outgoing NMIVA president Laurie Peterka said.
“I also want to thank NMIFA outgoing board members Sean Frink and Mike Pai for their time, commitment, and dedication,” she added.
Peterka helped found the NMIVA in 2004 and was elected president of the association in 2008. Under her leadership, NMIVA was able to expand its training programs for coaches and technical officials as well as the Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival. NMIVA officials also revived its indoor programs through its partnership with the Public School System.
However, NMIVA just like the rest of the organizations on island took a hit from Super Typhoon Soudelor in 2015. Efforts to reorganize after the 2015 crisis were made more challenging by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018, so the new board will face a tough task this time when the CNMI is preparing for the hosting of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games and still battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The incoming board will have the chance to hit the ground running with the FIVB technical assistance grant ready to be executed and the chance to participate in the MANGO Lemmei/Mai nonprofit incubator project,” Peterka said.
NMIVA is part of the Northern Marianas Sports Association and also an accredited member of the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association, the Asian Volleyball Confederation, and the Federation Internationale de Volleyball. (Saipan Tribune)
