Belize’s volleyball heroes are back home, and the celebration has not stopped since that final point in Costa Rica. After capturing the country’s first-ever Central American senior men’s volleyball championship, the national team returned to an emotional welcome, met with young athletes dreaming of following in their footsteps, and took a victory lap through the streets of Belize City. It is a historic win decades in the making, and tonight, the team is soaking in every moment of it. Shane Williams reports.
Shane Williams, Reporting
From the moment the ball hit the net, history belonged to Belize. The national men’s volleyball team climbed to the top of Central America, defeating host country Costa Rica to win the first men’s senior regional title in Belize’s history. But the celebration didn’t stay in Costa Rica. More than two hours after their scheduled arrival last night, the team was welcomed home by family, friends and supporters who waited in front of the Belize Elementary School Gym, refusing to let the delay dampen the moment.
Today the appreciation came from the sports’ future with a lunch hosted by the EA Volleyball Academy at SJC Gym, Captain Elton Anderson fought tears standing before the young athletes he has helped mentor through his development program. Seeing several academy graduates now wearing Belize’s national colors made the championship even more meaningful.
Elton Anderson
Elton Anderson, Captain
“This is a historic moment. This is not only about us, this is about the entire country. All the other discipline, we would like them to come out to support because maybe the next gold medal might come from another discipline. And the more we stand, the more we support each other, the more successful we will become as a country.”
One of Anderson’s protégés is tournament MVP Francis Hauze, who reflected on the welcome home the team has experienced.
Francis Hauze
Francis Hauze, Tournament MVP
“Every year we go, we look at the first place team and say, ‘We want to hear our national anthem being sung,’ and just to be proud and this year we finally did it. So it’s a really great, great feeling.”
Ernest Broaster Jr. is a legacy player on the men’s national team. He helped to finally capture the prize his father and others spent decades chasing.
Ernest Broaster Jr.
Ernest Broaster Jr., Outside Hitter
“This is an amazing feeling, not just for me, but for my family as well. Just like you said, second generation, you know. Everybody knows I’m carrying a legacy on my back. It’s not just a name. It’s not just a number. It’s more than that, you know? It’s the reason I play.”
And the welcome home on Thursday night certainly reminded this young volleyball professional player of all those reasons.
Ernest Broaster Jr.
“The amount of people that was there waiting for us is very nice. It was very surprising and very heartwarming welcoming. I loved it. Everybody was there, big smiling. We heard the music.”
The celebration kept rolling today as a motorcade carried Belize’s volleyball champions through the streets of Belize City. Fans waved flags, honked horns and cheered the team that delivered Belize’s first Central American men’s volleyball title. After last year’s heartbreak, they returned as champions, celebrating with family, young athletes and an entire nation. Now, the team says the goal is to make this historic feeling last.
Daniel Musa
Daniel Musa, Youngest Player, 18
“It’s just an inspiration for all the younger kids to be able to play at a higher level. We have a talented team, and the future is looking bright.”
Shane Williams for News Five.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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