Volleyball

Manager Sinon slams door on Cascade

SETTER Avrille Tirant and rapid attacker Yvonne Legaie are both seeking transfers to join St Louis Bombers and if they are successful in their bid, Cascade will be deprived of two key players.

Before the remainder of the team, who beat Magpie Robins 3-0 (25-16 25-14 25-18) last Sunday at the Palais des Sports, could regroup to think about how to move forward, they have been hit with another blow.

This time, it is Philip Sinon who has smashed a cannon-ball into their half of the court. After nine years as team manager, Sinon has decided to resign.

Sinon, a former track star and Olympian, told Sports Nation yesterday that he has resigned as Cascade's team manager because he was not satisfied with the way things had been going on in the camp.

"I won't go into details in public, but I have handed in my resignation and I stated in my letter that I'm leaving for personal reasons," said Sinon.

During the nine years spent with Cascade, Sinon was instrumental in recruiting top players so that the team could challenge Arsu.

With a number on internationals in their ranks, Cascade stormed to the forefront in 1999 when they won the League title for the first time. That same year, they clinched the Curtain-raiser, SVF Cup and SVF Shield titles as well as the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) silverware.

Cascade, who retained their League title in 2000, won their second IOCC crown in 2001, finished as runners-up in 2000 and 2002 and were placed third in 2003.

It is worth noting that after their IOCC triumph in 2001, Cascade participated in the African Club Championship in Senegal and returned home with the bronze medal.

Asked if he will remain in the sport of volleyball, Sinon, who is also a football official, said that he has already been appointed assistant manager of Premium Spikers.

"Leaving Cascade, I didn't want to work with another women's team. Even though, I'm no longer Cascade's manager, I'll remain one of their best supporters. Working with Premium Spikers is a new challenge for me because I've never been involved with a men's team before," concluded Sinon.

G. G.