Netball Association looks outward to go upwards

THE CONTINUOUS decline in the fortunes of this country’s netball teams in regional and international competitions, as well as a drop in the standard on the local scene, have prompted the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association to seek expertise overseas.{{more}}

This was one of the pillars outlined by the association’s president Doris McIntosh in the plan to rebuild the sport, as she spoke at the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Cable and Wireless National Tournament that began last Sunday.

McIntosh said, ” In this regard the National Olympic Committee(NOC) has kindly consented to lend us some much needed support by facilitating the hiring of a coach from one of the world’s netball powerhouses… Australia, New Zealand or England”.

Reminiscing of the glory days, McIntosh said, ” Every effort must be made to take the game back to the pinnacle it was several years ago when we were a tremendous force to reckon with in the region. Our mid-court players must develop the fleetfooted capacity just like our own Stella Boyea; the Huggins twins, Shirley and Veronica and Urel Campbell will go down in history as three of the best shooters that this country and the region have seen”.

The acquisition of the coach will be scaffolded by the “decentralization of the umpiring sessions, establishing a netball office, a netball mini-survey and the organisation of the sport at the committee levels”, said to McIntosh.

Adding reinforcement, according to the netball boss, will be the convening of a talent identification programme as currrently conducted by the NOC.

In addition, the players who are bent on bringing the sport into disrepute will be dealt with in the strictest manner as the association’s executive has adopted a zero tolerance on discipline.

“I wish to place on record that I do not intend to tolerate any demonstration of misconduct”, the netball top woman said forcefully.

Ill discipline by many of the national players both on and off the courts at all levels was one of the areas cited for the blunted edges of netball, which was a sharp tool in this country’s sporting armoury.

Lending support to McIntosh’s call was Minister of Tourism, Youth and Sports, Glen Beache. He pleaded with all corncerned for the need for netball to reclaim its rightful place, as a flagship discilpine for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Last year was a year of drought for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as the lone accolade was the OECS Under-23 title, which they barely recaptured.

This country failed to qualify for the World Tournament, and put in an under par performance at the Commonwealth Games.

In addition, the Under-16 team ended among the bottom of the table stragglers in the Caribbean Championships.

And the forty-two teams/clubs (six more than last year) which are participating in this year’s edition, should provide the spring board for the anticipated turn around in the returns. And most were on show to provide the spectacle normally associated with this event.

The march past fitted with its customary decor, saw NCB Valley Netters coming away with the Best Dressed Team award, and XCeed Sports Club winning the Best Banner Award.

And in competitive action as the tournament began in earnest, Urban Youths beat Barrouallie Sports Club 2613, Ultra Tek recorded 26 to Parkside’s 12, Busters 29, Combine Sparkles 21 and Maple Youth 18 to XCeed’s 15.