The old James Bond movie “From Russia with Love” had a nice storyline. But so does Sinead Jack our top women’s professional volleyball player.
The 6’5” tall middle blocker is now into her fifth year as a professional volleyball playerer.
She first played with AZS Bialystok in Poland before moving on to Uralochka-NTMK in Russia.
She has been with her present Russian team for the past three years. They are recognised as one of the top contenders in the Russian Woman’s Volleyball League with the club being crowned national champion 25 times, including a series of 20 consecutive championship wins since 1986.
The San Fernando-born Jack who celebrated her 22nd birthday on November 8 has adjusted well in Russia…where the high standard of play and the temperature is low...very low…ranging from 2 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Beside the cold, there were other things to consider, like being a stranger in a foreign land; halfway around the world, far from the Caribbean sun. She needed the love across the miles to keep her smiles.
She has sharpened her skills and learned how to handle the cold. “You just have to stay warm.’ She said “The best comfortable place for a volleyball player is the heated indoor volleyball arena, with a chance to get warmed up.”
Back in 2007, she emerged as a hot prospect on the local and Caribbean scene. She made her mark at the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) level and won several high performance awards along the way.
Sinead Jack is arguably the best female volleyball player ever produced in T&T.
Her first coach and mentor Rev Terrence Honore recalled the day he walked up to her door and invited her to join the sport. “I told her mom, that her daughter will be the greatest player ever from T&T. Even better than my daughter Nadiege who was at the time setting records at University in the United States.”
Well the rest is history. With support from her family, Sinead began the journey that would take her to many countries representing T&T before going on to study and play in Poland.
The real credit for her outstanding performance goes to her national coach Francisco Cruz ‘Panche’ Jimenez.
Much like Germany-based Marc-Anthony Honore, the first professional men’s player, she was coached by a Cuban coach who instilled the discipline and standards required for the professional arena. Jimenez took charge of the fledging young player and made a star out of her. Credit to the Cuban connection.
Sinead has grown up. She looks everything like a sports model. She is a tall, talented and athletic.
Earlier in her career she was courted by several top universities in the United States including Penn State, Fordham and others. But she opted for a contract in Poland and an opportunity to further her studies.
She is currently pursuing studies leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Business. It is a long way from her early days as a Williamsville Secondary School student.
As another sporting star from the south T&T, she has represented the country in over 15 tournaments and some 50 matches in her seven years in the sport.
She has logged many miles in the sport, representing the national team and later, competing professionally in Poland and now in Russia.
A story yet unfinished is being written well. Sinead was recently named “Best Player” on two occasions in the current Russian tournament.
“There have been tough times,” said Jack, “but I thank God, my parents and friends for the warmth and love they have shared with me. I send my love from Russia.”