Baptiste aims to change the face of Netball

Newly re-elected president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA), Natasha Baptiste has a “drive to change the face of the sport, and also to bring more of the international flavour to the local arena”.

Baptiste, who was returned unopposed to the presidency at the association’s Annual General Meeting on Monday March 11,2024, said she believes the affiliates have similar goals and that’s why they gave her that confident mandate.

“ I believe they have the confidence that we can continue…I can continue to lead the organization to change the whole scope of netball not just locally, but within the region. So that in itself is the beginning of where I think the confidence is that the affiliates had in me to lead the organization,” Baptiste told SEARCHLIGHT.

Reflecting briefly on her first term as president, Batiste said one of the highlights was that there was a deliberate effort at marketing the sport

“…I think that is the biggest thing for any organization, to ensure that its marketing strategy and campaign is biggest so that the sport is in the face of the public. We will continue to build on that”.

She also aims to work to secure needed resources and capitalise on available opportunities from various regional and international bodies, including World Netball to boost the coaching and other capacities within the organization.

Additionally, the president has her hopes set on properly preparing a national squad over the coming years to compete at the World Netball Qualifiers in 2027, and to, hopefully, qualify for the Netball World Cup in 2028.

The other members elected to the executive to serve for the 2024 – 2028 period are: first vice president, Sylvorn Lewis-Harry; second vice president, Sharlene Wyllie; honorary secretary, Kerryann Small; honorary treasurer, Jacintha Ballantyne; assistant secretary/treasurer, Neteko Quammie; public relations officer, Sean Frederick; games secretary, Thelma Foster; and committe members in Akeil Matthews and Oniel Cockburn.