NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD- 30 OCTOBER 2009
Many congratulations to the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) which this week celebrated its 50th anniversary with a glittering Awards Banquet attended by a host of sports stars, as well as island Prime Minister Bruce Golding. And Golding had positive news for the association, saying that the Jamaican government will provide all support possible for the sport in the coming years. His views were echoed by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange, who publicly stated that she would do whatever she could to ensure funding for the Sunshine Girls in the coming months and years.
A host of awards were made at the event, including presentations to Margaret Beckford, JNA’s first president, former JNA and current IFNA president Molly Rhone, former players Elaine Davis, Oberon Pitterson and Connie Francis, as well as sponsors, members of JNA and members of the media.
The next generation of Sunshine Girls will be taking to the courts from this week, as the 2009 Insitute of Sports (INSPORTS)-sponsored Junior High Schools Netball League gets under way. 19 sides have entered, hoping to wrest the titles from reigning champions John Mills (junior league) and Windward Road (senior league).
The Solomon Islands has held only its second ever coaching course: eight potential coaches attended, including five teachers – great news for the Solomon Islands development programme. The islands’ first ever level two coaching course will be held in early November, and it is hoped to extend its outreach to maximise attendance from club and schools representatives.
Three teams remain unbeaten at the top of England Netball’s Premier 1 division, after three rounds of matches. West London side Academy won the battle of the former champions, defeating Linden 39-27, and stay level on points with Hucclecote and Oaksway, who face each other in the fourth round of matches this weekend.
Finally, congratulations to Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams who announced her engagement to long-term partner Wessel Eshuis this week. Williams, who took over the captaincy of New Zealand earlier this year, led her side to victory at the recent World Netball Series before a drawn series against Jamaica.
The IFNA world rankings have now been updated to take into account recent matches.