C&W Netball starts this Sunday

The St.Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA) will begin its 2005 Cable & Wireless National Club Championships this Sunday, without one of its key proposals in place.{{more}}

The SVGNA, through its President Doris Mc Intosh, had on previous occasions announced that no team would be allowed to participate in its 2005 competitions if it did not become a full -fledged club.

But Mc Intosh has had to eat her words, as many of the registered teams in Sunday’s opening have not complied, even though the SVGNA had offered its expertise.

These teams though, may still find themselves at variance with the association, if several decisions are followed through.

Mc Intosh has said that her association would give the teams a grace period before imposing sanctions against their non-compliance.

Forty-one teams have registered for the 2005 edition. Eight will compete in Division 1, seven in Division 2A, ten in Division 2B and three in Division 3, while five teams will engage each other in the Under-16 category.

Maples will return as double crowned champions, having won both the league and knock-out titles last year. Other 2004 winners were: Falcons, who won the Division 2A league title; N.C.B Valley Netters, Division 2B, and TRAC which took both the Division 3 and knock -out titles. Also doing the double last year was Bishop’s College Kingstown.

Sunday’s tournament begins at 3:30pm.with a parade of teams from the top entrance of the Arnos Vale Playing Field to the Netball Complex.

Addresses from netball and government officials and sponsors will also form part of the opening.

The SVGNA will break with tradition and the opening feature match will see the National Squad which just won the AFNA qualifiers come up against a select team.