Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Tasha-Gaye Richards ... If you make up your mind to do something you have to push yourself and just get it done.- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

"VOLLEYBALL IS fun. It has helped me to manage my time better because I have to practise and dedicate time to my academics as well as social life," so says 17-year-old Wolmerian and volleyball champion, Tasha-Gaye Richards.

Her sister, Renae Temple, who is also an avid volleyball player, introduced her to the game five years ago. "It seemed an interesting game. In the summer before my first year at Wolmer's Girls I trained with my sister's squad. After starting at Wolmer's I continued playing the game," she said.

Born to Patricia Green and Roverton Richards in the parish of Manchester, Richards made the Jamaica Volleyball Association's (JAVA) national team earlier this year. "I have been called for the national team since third form but the opportune time has come now for me to join," she said.

She says her parents are supportive of her many aspirations and achievements.

"My mother is not surprised about my achievements because I have been doing well since basic school. She is happy but not as excited as I am, as she knows that I work well, and once I put my mind and everything into doing the work, then I am going to do it," she said.

Since her first year at Wolmer's Girls she has participated in the national school league competitions with her team placing first in all events. Her team has also entered several club competitions in which it placed first in its division and was recently upgraded to Division One.

Richards has also played at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Invitational event where her team finished second.

"We have played with colleges from overseas during these tournaments. We are hoping to participate in the tournament this year and place in the top three," she said.

But what has made this young woman so alluring and inspiring? Whilst steaming up the volleyball court, Richards continues to excel academically. Currently a sixth form student at Wolmer's Girls, Richards copped nine ones in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examinations in June. She was successful in sitting mathematics, English language, English literature, information technology, history, social studies, accounts, spanish and physics.

A determined and passionate individual, she is currently pursuing accounts, communication studies, computer science, mathematics and history at Wolmer's.

lover of mathematics

A lover of mathematics, she plans to chart a career in actuarial science at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

"I love mathematics. People say actuarial science is hard to study but I am going to pass all my courses with straight As," she promised.

Although this focussed and active youngster trains 12 hours per week, including Saturdays, she still finds the time to study and do her assignments.

"I lose a lot of my sleep time ... but then when I get my summer holidays I get back all the sleep time. I want to play volleyball and I want to do well in school," she said.

"If you make up your mind to do something you have to push yourself and just get it done."

Although volleyball is not considered a widespread game in Jamaica and the sporting fraternity has been plagued with heavy debts and minimal financial assistance over the years, Richards believes there is still hope for the sport in Jamaica.

"There are not many persons who know about the sport. We need to encourage the schools to get coaches to come in and develop the sport in the school setting. Once the sport is developed in the schools then the national setting would be easier to develop," she said.

Education is the key

"We, as players, can also teach the students basic technical skills of the sport. Therefore, the sport will continue to be developed so that when we reach the national level many more persons will be willing to try out for the national team. Hence, we can do better and create a dominant niche in the world."

This budding volleyball star still finds the time amid her hectic schedule for a social life. She enjoys going to the movies and parties with her friends.

"I also like to read. If I am not reading a textbook my nose is stuck in a novel. I like reading mystery books because they make me think about what is going to happen next," she said.

Richards encourages young people to stay focussed and stay in school.

"Education is what is going to get you out of whatever situation you are in. You have to be strong emotionally so that you can go through it. Whatever situation you are going through, somebody out there is going through worse than you. Set your goals, aim for them and stay focussed," she said.

A true and patriotic Jamaican, Richards wants to continue living in Jamaica and contribute to the society after she completes her studies.

"There is a brain drain going on in Jamaica. All the young and brilliant minds are leaving the island," she said. "If this trend continues, what will happen to our economy, our society and people?" she asks.

Nevertheless, Richards has high hopes of continuing a career in volleyball. "I want to continue playing volleyball right up to the national level for as long as possible."