Community, Competition, and Connection: FBC Volleyball League Kicks Off 2025 Season

By Christopher Tobutt

The First Baptist Volleyball Club launched its 2025 season Saturday night with a spirited opening ceremony at the First Baptist Church gymnasium on Crewe Road, drawing players, families, and supporters from across Grand Cayman. The event marked a special milestone: thirteen years since the league’s founding by Troy Alleyne, who continues to serve as club president and guiding force behind its growth.

What began as informal Saturday matches has evolved into one of the island’s most inclusive and dynamic sports leagues — a place where seasoned athletes, first-time players, church groups, corporate teams, and youth ministries all find common ground through sport and fellowship.

This year’s league is especially meaningful, as it operates biennially, making each season a cherished occasion. Representatives from all women’s teams were present, and Alleyne took time to highlight the league’s expanding structure, which now includes Men’s, Women’s, Co-ed, and Masters divisions — reflecting its commitment to accessibility and growth.

The President of the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation also addressed the crowd, acknowledging the league’s legacy: “Volleyball in the Cayman Islands has a long history, and FBVC has a very long history. I want to congratulate Troy on another year — thirteen years now.”

The evening’s first match featured ALT (representing AL Thompson) facing off against the First Baptist Angels. Sixteen-year-old Angie Ewers, a recent addition to the Angels, shared her excitement: “It’s going to be really fun,” she said. “I’ve only been with the Angels for a few months, but they’re very welcoming, very fun, and very good.”

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere was a vibrant performance by a Philippine dance group — young women moving in formation with energy and grace, offering a cultural flourish that underscored the league’s spirit of inclusion.

With over 20 teams now participating, the league continues to be a beacon of community engagement. Weekly matches are held across divisions: Men’s on Mondays, Women’s on Tuesdays, and Co-ed open court sessions on Saturdays. Teams range from competitive squads to casual groups formed through workplaces, churches, and expat networks.

As the 2025 season gets underway, the First Baptist Volleyball Club remains true to its founding values — welcoming all levels of play, fostering friendships, and quietly living out faith through teamwork and encouragement.

It was a warm, friendly atmosphere – which probably had something to do with the way the club first began – a way of finding friends, fellowship and fun outside formal church services – and then grew by building bonds and bridges out into the community.

“Let’s start with a word of prayer,” Alleyne said, opening the evening with gratitude and intention. “God, thank you for this evening, thank you for everyone participating — and everyone watching by livestream. We pray that every player will do their best and that the level of play will be very high.”

Alleyne’s welcome was warm and emphatic: “Welcome, welcome, welcome,” he said to the packed gym. “Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, you’re more than welcome. We’ve always been that club — one that supports and encourages everyone.”