Netball group plans to lift bar in ‘13

The resolution by the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association for 2013 is to lift the bar.{{more}}

Expounding this desire is SVGNA’s president Dellarice Duncan, who told SEARCHLIGHT that her executive is looking forward to holistic development in all facets of the sport.

“… We are hoping to lift the bar this year in terms of the standard of play, umpiring and coaching,” Duncan projected.

In mapping the pathway to this, Duncan said: “We hope to do this by having several coaching, umpiring and management seminars … to bring our affiliates up to speed with international standards.”

But Duncan, who has gone full circle in local netball, having also represented St Vincent and the Grenadines at the highest level, said that her association cannot do it alone.

“This, we believe, is achievable with the support of the National Olympic Committee and the National Sports Council,” Duncan advised.

Duncan, who was elevated to the top post in February last year, confirmed a restart of a youth development programme, which would be carried out during the schools’ long vacation in July and August.

The once dynamic centre-court player, who hopes to bring the same to the administration of the sport, told SEARCHLIGHT of her own aspirations.

“Personally, I would like to see us continue where the Under-23 left off in 2012 … This is an indication of where we want our sport to go,” she advanced.

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ major success in netball in 2012 was the Under-23 team reclaiming the OECS title in July in Grenada, after a five-year drought.

However, SVG opted out of the American Federation of Netball Association’s tournament in Trinidad and Tobago in August.

Also, last year, SVG did not obtain a ranking on the International Federation of Netball Association (IFNA) table — having not played the minimum eight matches during the calendar year.

Looking at the long-term goals, Duncan said

“We want to soar to the heights of the past and reclaim the crown of Caribbean netball champs”. (RT)