Cuban Jorge Garbey took the coaching position of the Dominican Republic in January 2003 with instant success and the national women’s team has been improving ever since.

In the Pan American Cup in the first month of last year in Saltillo, Mexico he led his side to the silver medal after the Dominicans had defeated Cuba for the first time in 35 years in a superb
come-from-behind 3-2 victory.

Garbey improved that feat with another five set victory over Cuba, this time for the gold medal in the Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo later in the year. During the 2003 Norceca Continental Championship, also on Dominican soil, Garbey guided the Dominican Republic to the bronze medal after losing to Cuba in a five-setter during the semifinals.

After a 10th place finish at the 2003 World Cup and a solid performance in the recently completed 2004 World Grand Prix, Garbey will be looking to exploit more of the Dominican Republic flair in what he sees as one of his dreams; Coaching a team through an Olympic Games campaign.