Youth -for -Net to net netballers

A three month Netball programme dubbed Youth-for-Net geared at seeking out young netball talent from the East St. George district began last Saturday at the Calliaqua Hard court.{{more}}

The programme is a joint venture between one time sponsor of the national netball competition, Cable & Wireless and the Calliaqua Area Development Organisation(CADO).

The programme according to Natasha Medford, a member of CADO, “is to teach the young girls the basic skills in Netball, catching, throwing, footwork, understanding the court, understanding the basic rules of the sport”.

Attitudes such as teamwork, fair play and team spirit as well as drugs and sports, are the other areas which will be looked at in the duration of the programme.

Geared at the development of the whole person, Medford, said “the programme also seeks “to build self esteem, confidence and self efficacy of youths through involvement in netball, empower youths to maximise their leadership potential, to provide an opportunity for youths to have a positive and recreational experience; while increasing their comfort level in Netball, and assist in their goal setting and their self esteem”.

Medford disclosed that from the programme, a mentorship component is another planned outcome.

“We plan to create and develop relationships with senior netballers in the process of mentoring, bonding with a big sister”, Medford added.

An excited Medford said that from the programme, her group anticipates a stronger Netball unit from the Calliaqua area, which should help in building a stronger national effort especially at the junior level.

Medford was ecstatic with the turn out despite the inclement weather.

“We had a turn out of 33 girls, with almost equal numbers from the primary and secondary level; they ranged from age 6 to 17”.

And lending national support to the initiative was President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association Doris Mc Intosh, who despite her restricted mobility, addressed the young netballers.

She said that the programme falls in line with the Caribbean Netball Association’s undertaking of promoting healthy lifestyles among young netballers.

Those making presentations at last Saturday’s opening also included Woodrow Williams from the Department of Sports and Physical Education, national netballers and coaches Rose Clair Hall and Nichole Sandy, along with Medford and Sonja Lewis, a former long standing executive member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association and the Caribbean Netball Association.

Medford said they will also be drawing on the expertise of former national and Caribbean defender, Cecelia Richards, who is also a resident of the area.

She said that Michelle Guy, along with other past national athletes will lend their assistance to the programme, which is set for every Saturday morning, from 9 to 12, and comes to a close December 6.(RT)