X-Ceed heads West

X-Ceed Sports Club, one of the newest sporting entities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will be participating in the Helen of the West Netball Tournament, set for St. Lucia from October 20-27 at the Vigie Sports Complex.{{more}}

It’s the club’s first overseas tour since its formation just less than two years ago.

X-Ceed will be vying for the top prize of US $3000, which is at stake for the winning unit.

The team placing second earns $2000, with the third placed team pocketing $1000. Fourth placed gets $500.

X-Ceed will have to contend with Police and Defence Force from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as St. Lucia’s outfits, the durable Shamrock and former OECS Club champions Elite, among others.

X-Ceed shows a blend of youth and experience going into the tournament. The twelve players in their line up include former national center court stalwart Joanne Ballantyne and former national defender Kenlyn Clouden.

Also adding experience is former national Under-23 captain Marilyn Browne.

Current Under-23 players, Tamara Samuel, Tonique Bowens and Leanna Lewis are also making the trip. Lewis, the current Under-23 team captain, travels as a guest player for X-Ceed.

Completing the squad are Annette King, Shamara Warner, Naline Browne, Ruth-Ann Williams, Helen Yammie and Andora Woodley.

Coach of the team Godfrey Harry and a mainstay in the X-Ceed set up told SEARCHLIGHT last Monday that he was confident of the team representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines well.

He thought the team’s chances were “fairly good”.

“We have a cadre of players, both past and present, experienced ones who can blend with the very young ones”, Harry said.

He singled out Bowens and Williams, who are still under the age of 16, as players representing the young crop.

Harry, a former member of The Rebels Athletics Club (TRAC), led that club to the three previous Helen of the West tournaments, before parting company to establish X-Ceed.

Also a former national netball coach, and a practicing umpire, Harry said that the club’s journey to St. Lucia was made possible through fund raising activities undertaken by the organisation, support from business houses and the National Olympic Committee.

Responsible for airfare, accommodation and boarding, Harry said that the organizers, The St. Lucia Netball Association, in conjunction with the St. Lucia Tourist Board, will cover ground transportation and refreshments at the matches.

Harry disclosed that the total cost of X-Ceed’s participation amounted to about EC$16000.

The team is managed by Sylvorn Harry, with Anthony Jack as umpire.