The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

EVER since he developed into a top-notch national team player, Byron Ferguson knew that one day he would eventually go on to play at the professional level.

When he finally got his breakthrough, Ferguson took advantage of the opportunity.

Å“I started after we won the Caribbean Volleyball Championships (CVC) in 2012. I had offers to play from 2011 when I won best blocker at the Pan American Cup in Canada,” Ferguson said.

“I decided to take the opportunity after CVC because I always planned to play professionally but I was just waiting for the right situation and to work with the right agents.”

Since then, Ferguson has been carrying the Bahamian flag as the only pro player overseas.

“I’m satisfied with the strides I have made because I’ve progressed each year. Every team I’ve played on has gotten better,” he said. “This team I’m currently on has only made the finals one other time in their history, so it shows a lot of my talent and development as a player. “

Since September, Ferguson was in Greece preparing to play with the Foinikas Syrou volleyball team.  It’s a lifestyle that Ferguson has come to enjoy.

“Professional volleyball is similar to the world of professional soccer where we play regular league games and then move on to champions league, European cups and cups, different cups within your own country (Greek Cup) so it has been a long season for me.”

Foinikas Syrou advanced to the final, playing against Paok, a team consisting of USA national team player David Lee and at least two Cuban national team players.  Paok went on to win the best-of-seven series 4-1 last week to clinch the title.

“We fell short but I am satisfied with how the season went. They are an historic team in Europe and they have a full roster of good players,” said Ferguson of their opponents. “We have played about eight players the entire season so injury and fatigue I think started to set in for us. We went down fighting and I can live with that.”

At 6-feet, 7-inches, 27-year-old Ferguson admits that there’s still a lot of work that he has to do to get his game to the level where he is a force to reckon with on the international level.

“This summer I will focus a little more on my serve. I normally jump serve but coming towards the end of season I don’t know if it was fatigue because of the long season I wasn’t feeling as confident in it so I went to the float,” he pointed out.

“Playing middle I jump more than everyone else so I will have to learn to pace myself throughout the season. The only plan I have is to continuously progress whether it’s with our national team or with my club overseas. The day I feel as if I can’t help or improve anymore I’ll retire.”

During his summer break, Ferguson said he will work out with the men’s national team as they prepare to play in the Caribbean Volleyball Championships before he get set to return to Greece or wherever his next stop will send him.

“I plan to come back with the same club next season but I normally don’t officially sign my contracts until around August,” he said. “I will wait and see what doors open for me if not I plan to return with Foinikas Syros.”

Although he’s setting the pace for the Bahamas, Ferguson said he hope one day to see more Bahamians following in his footsteps and [playing overseas as well.

“I just encourage Bahamians to push themselves to their full potential in any sport that they choose,” he stressed. “We have a lot of Bahamians who likes to take the easy road but playing any sport professionally isn’t easy so it takes a lot of discipline and dedication.”

While home, Ferguson said he would help to facilitate any other Bahamian who wants to play overseas.