Netball under way

The 2005 Cable and Wireless National Netball Tournament is into its first week of competition.

Forty-one teams will jostle for top positions as well as added incentives by way of discounts on products from the title sponsors, in five divisions. {{more}}

Added to this, players will be looking to catch the eyes of the selectors of the national team to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia. This country grabbed the last spot from the AFNA group when this country hosted the play-offs, last month.

In addition, the Divisiuon One winner will be seeking to represent this country at next year’s OECS Club Champioships.

Players will be using the tournament to sharpen their skills, to add to their academic achievements, ironically, in search of a basketball scholarship on the United States Collegiate circuit.

The tournament had its grand opening in broiling heat last Sunday afternoon at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex, with the usual speeches and formalities.

President of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA) Doris McIntosh reminded those present that her body will be focussing this year on “coaching and officiating’’.

She revealed that the SVGNA now has a pool of umpires to choose from through its continued training programmes.

The netball chief said that only these officials would be used in the various area tournaments.

The customary panache associated with such an event saw RSVG Police taking two treks to the winners’ podium, capturing the Best -Dressed team as well as the Best Banner awards.

But the evening was not without its disappointment, as a malfunctioning of the lights at the complex aborted the feature match between past national players and the current squad. When the match was called off, the current squad was leading 20-18.

In competitive action on Sunday, English Spurs edged out newly promoted NCB Valley Netters 18-16 as Division 2A race commenced. It was 24-10 in favour of Union Island, in their match-up against Nice Radio Pine Hill Dairy Clinchers in Division 2B,while Central Media Mitre Sonics eclipsed NCB Tourama 12-7,in the Under-16 Division.

Other Division 2B results from matches played last Tuesday, Gatorade Strikers whipped Ju-C Moussa AVESCO 30-16 and Play It Safe beat Inter-schools Juniors 25-22.