Jamaica defeats SVG to take Male Netball title

St Vincent and the Grenadines lost the deciding match of the inaugural Americas Men Netball Tournament to Jamaica on Sunday 33 – 52 as the two teams brought the curtains down on four days of high-flying, pulsating netball action at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. Earlier, in the penultimate match of the tournament, Grenada defeated Antigua and Barbuda 40 – 32.

SVG’s player springs into action to intercept a pass to one of Jamaica’s players (photo/Edward Newman)

In the Awards Ceremony which followed, the top individual performers were recognized, with South Africa receiving a participation plaque as guest nation, as well as being awarded three top awards although they were guest participants.

Best Shooter: Lutendo Maiwashe of South Africa.

Best Attacker: Eugene Sinxezi of South Africa.

Best Defender: Akeil Bute of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Player of the Tournament: Shiko Mokaila of South Africa The final team standings are:
Fourth place: Antigua and Barbuda.

Third place : Grenada.

Second place : St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Champions : Jamaica.

In matches played, on Thursday September 1, St Vincent and the Grenadines defeated Grenada 33 – 26, and Antigua and Barbuda lost to South Africa 74 – 18.

On Friday September 2, Jamaica defeated South Africa 38 – 36, and host St Vincent and the Grenadines defeated Antigua and Barbuda 56 – 18.

Jamaica defeated Antigua and Barbuda 65 – 32 in a 6:00 a.m. clash on Saturday, September 3, and in the second game of the morning, Grenada lost to South Africa 58 – 28.

Later in the evening, Jamaica defeated Grenada 45 – 24, while St Vincent and the Grenadines lost to South Africa 56 – 40.

The tournament bounced off last Thursday evening September 1, at the Arnos Vale Netball Court with the official opening ceremony which included addresses by Minister of Sports, Frederick Stephenson who assured the gathering that talks are ongoing for the construction of an indoor sports facility.

This came after a call by the president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA), Natasha Baptiste for the construction of such a facility, while addressing the ceremony.

Second vice-president of the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA), Javon Edwards praised the SVGNA for their bravery in diving into unknown territory to host the tournament. It was a process which began under former president, Doris McIntosh, and continued under the new president, Natasha Baptiste.