Rhone: Pump more money into netball

Head of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) and head of the Americans Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA), Jamaican Molly Rhone has asked regional governments to pump more money into Netball.{{more}}

An outspoken Rhone at the opening of the AFNA Tournament on Sunday July 20, at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex said, “It was amazing how difficult it was for Netball to get sponsorship although it is the biggest sport for women in the world”.

Rhone said it would be encouraging to see the heads of government get involved in Netball as they do in Cricket.

She was merely reiterating a point made to SEARCHLIGHT on a previous visit to this country in March.

She then compared the monies expended on the hosting of Cricket World Cup last year as opposes to what the sport of Netball receives.

Apart from this input, Caricom facilitates discussions at regular forums on the state, development and future of West Indies Cricket.

As part of her plea at the opening of the tournament, Rhone requested that the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines look as a matter of priority at the construction of an indoor facility. She said that will also bring some economic spin offs for Tourism, as top teams and world tournaments can come to this country.

And, this area of deficiency was evident at times, as some of the matches in the tournament were held up whenever it rained. In addition, several members of this country’s senior team, who participated in the tournament, had their two knees heavily strapped.

Rhone had to flex her administrative muscle, as she was dissatisfied with the uneven surface conditions of the courts at the Keartons Hard court, which was to have been the venue for the fourth day of competition. The matches were re-scheduled to the Arnos Vale Netball Complex.

Of the six countries which participated in the tournament, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the only one without an indoor court.

At the closing ceremony last week Friday night, she echoed the importance of corporate input and used the occasion to thank the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and other entities for their support, financial and otherwise.

The AFNA Tournament was partly sponsored by the National Lotteries Authority to the tune of EC$40,000.

Rhone, while lauding the overall success of the tournament, lamented on the relatively low participation of AFNA members.

Jamaica retained the title, with Trinidad and Tobago second, Barbados third, St. Lucia fourth, host St. Vincent and the Grenadines was fifth, and Canada sixth.