Vincy Jewels keeps the crown, but…

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ retention of the ECCB/ OECS International Netball Series title in Grenada, confirms the country’s status as the sub region’s top outfit.

This, despite losing to Grenada in their final match last Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Tanteen Hard Court.

Hence, Vincy Jewels, which they are branded, defeated Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, the ever- improving Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Montserrat, as well as St Lucia.

St Vincent and the Grenadines was the most efficient in attack and defence, claiming accolades of Best Attacking and Best Defensive team.

Additionally, Maryann Frederick, who is quietly carving out a name for herself as one of the better goal shooters in the region, was the most accurate in the circle, scoring 429 of her 466 attempts from the nine matches she played.

Such an effort earned her the Most Valuable Player for her team and the overall MVP.

As Frederick and the others lifted the title, it was also fitting that the Gloria Ballantyne trophy, the symbol of supremacy of the OECS International Series, remained resident in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Named after one of the icons of Vincentian Netball, the trophy has been at home for the third time, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Grenada won the inaugural title in 2019 and had their second in 2023. Clearly, the number one team among the OECS, St Vincent and the Grenadines, is ranked 17th in the world, third among Caribbean countries, only behind world powerhouse- Jamaica and the steady Trinidad and Tobago.

Indeed, the upward trajectory of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ netball is welcomed, as incrementally, as a netball country, the senior team is getting there.

Not at the point where the country was decades ago, but glimpses of the past are manifesting themselves.

These small improvements have to be embraced, celebrated, but most of all, must be maintained.

Winning titles at the subregional level is a good gauge, indicator and assessment data for the technical department of the St Vincent and Grenadines Netball Association.

However, it must not stop at simply basking in the immediate glory and occasion of celebration, as there were areas where the team was deficient.

In other words, there is no perfection in champing the Tournament.

Therefore, with technology at large, reviews of all the matches played at the August 23 to 31 outing, should be a priority, and the good areas bettered, while addressing the kinks with urgency.

Gleaning from the reports, Grenada was able to identify and capitalise on chinks in the Vincentians’ armour.

Such evaluation must be done individually and collectively as a team sport. Each one’s excellence or inefficiency affects the output in one way or the other.

Acknowledging that there is evident progress, keeping pace with the sport,  continuously improving and moving up the rankings is not as easy as kiss hand. From the surface, those who are ignorant of what it takes to be competitive consistently on all levels, may think it is just about playing and playing. Not so, as the sport of Netball has advanced and the technical side has evolved, using science as a guide tool.

Likewise, the top world teams are the beneficiaries of semi- professional leagues, major sponsors, and larger economies of scale- all foreign to the Vincentian landscape.

So, while we look ahead to more success from the senior female team, we have to be cognizant that at the junior level, it is the reverse.

The local Netball authorities must recognize that they have to build the sport from the ground up.

There are some signs of this is happening with the annual camps and clubs ensuring there are feeder teams.

But, as we await all things to be put in place, it is mandatory that players are identified from as early as possible to replenish the current senior stock.

In the interim, let us salute the Vincy Jewels, as the golden crown remains on their heads.