SVG Under-23 netball coach not resting on laurels

Despite having won 14 of the 23 titles in the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Under-23 netball tournament, coach of the St Vincent and the Grenadines outfit to this year’s outing, Godfrey Harry, is not taking anything for granted.{{more}}

When the Vincentians set foot on St Lucian soil this Friday, June 27, title number 15 is there for the taking, but in Harry’s opinion, every match is equally important.

A confident, but cautious Harry told SEARCHLIGHT last Monday: “We are not taking anyone lightly … It is easier to win a title than to defend it.”

Harry, who will be aiming for a hat-trick as coach, having copped titles in 2012 in Grenada and in Antigua and Barbuda last year, added: “As a defending champion, you always have everything to lose.”

Taking a closer look at his charges, Harry said “Our team is an all-round team …. We make sure that every player feels that she is good as anyone… We are not banking on any one player per se.. It would be a team effort.”

He, however, thought that with five players from last year’s winning team, it should be a plus for the Vincentians.

Among those who are returning for the 2013 victorious outfit are captain Ruthann Williams, along with Mary Ann Frederick, Naomi Williams, Shanice Daniel and Maranda Spencer.

Joining the fray this year are Cacica Cordice, Tamara Baptiste, Zanelle James, Kay-Shorn Lowmans and Shantal Rouse.

The team has to do without ace defender Delonie Sam, who opted instead to represent St Vincent and the Grenadines in Basketball in the Caribbean Championships in Tortola, the British Virgin Islands.

The management team includes Natasha Stapleton – manager, along with Gailene Gordon who would be Harry’s deputy, while Moeth Gaymes travels as St Vincent and the Grenadines’ representative on the umpires’ panel for this the 23rd edition of the tournament.

The tournament started in 1991 and has been held every year since.

St Vincent and the Grenadines won the title in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2012 and 2013.

The other winners of the annual tournament were St Lucia (1995, 1997, 2004, 2005); Grenada (2003, 2008 and 2010) and St Kitts (2009 and 2011).(RT)