Vincy Jewels recognise efforts of PM Gonsalves and SVGNA President

The efforts of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA) Natasha Baptiste have been recognised by the Vincy Jewels netball team.

Vincy Jewels captain Kaywanna Charles (right) presents Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves with a framed photograph of the historic bronze medal winning team at CAC 2023.

The team made presentations to the Prime Minister and the SVGNA President last Monday evening at the VIP Lounge at the Argyle International Airport, minutes after returning from Antigua and Barbuda where they placed second in the 2023 ECCB International Netball Series, having lost to Grenada 33 – 34, in a crucial game.

After he welcomed the 12 players and the officials who accompanied them, Gonsalves thanked them for their efforts, and expressed his confidence that they will regain the title lost when the team competes at the ECCB International Netball Series in St Lucia next year. Baptiste thanked the team for their efforts, adding that despite the second place finish, she was still proud of the Vincy Jewels family.

Then came the moment which caught both the Prime Minister and the SVNA President off guard. Media Liaison Robertson Henry who travelled with the team, then announced that three presentations were to be made to Prime Minister Gonsalves and SVGNA president Baptiste.

Team manager Paulina Thomas spoke of the efforts by the SVGNA president to bring about changes to the sport, her dedication to preparing the teams despite the lack of resources, and her honesty, before presenting her with a framed photograph of the 2023 Vincy Jewels team at the 2023 ECCB International Netball Series. Team captain Kaywanna Charles, who also captained the team to the netball historic bronze medal at the 2023 CAC Games in El Salvador, thanked Prime Minister Gonsalves for all his support to the team.

Vincy Jewels manager Paulina Thomas (right) presents SVGNA president Natasha Baptiste with a framed photograph of the 2023 Vincy Jewels team to the ECCB International Netball Series.

The final presentation was a framed photograph of Prime Minister Gonsalves deep in thought, with the words “True leaders show the way by paving the way. You have done it with your vision and leadership…a sincerest thank you Prime Minister.”

This presentation was made to him by coach Vasha Adams on behalf of the team, and the many Vincentians who have been assisted in one way or the other by Prime Minister Gonsalves. Prime Minister Gonsalves then announced that very soon he will “like to meet and break bread with the team, probably at Gorse,” to which the players responded that they are looking forward to that day.