Harry speech calls for united front

Delivering his maiden speech as President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Netball Association (SVGNA), Godfrey “Fuzzy” Harry last Sunday afternoon at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex called for an all hands on deck approach, if the fortunes of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Netball are to be rekindled.{{more}}

Harry’s call came as he addressed the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Digicel National Netball Club Tournament.

Personalising the mission, Harry rhetorically asked: “Am I dedicated enough to bring back glory to SVG through Netball?”

“If your answer is yes, then we are indeed on the same page and are undivided, since our main objective is exactly the same,” Harry, the first male to head the modern SVGNA, said philosophically.

Admitting that it needs collaboration and team work, Harry stated: “I know that I am unable to perform the great task of ensuring the objectives of the SVGNA be fulfilled all by myself”.

Elected to the post last February 15, Harry commended the rest of his Executive for their solid support thus far.

“I sincerely thank the entire membership of the SVGNA executive who in our short existence has been of tremendous support and encouragement, and I say to all – you each have a role to play in the development of netball.”

Continuing his call for unity, Harry, a former national Netball Coach, also had a message for supporters and critics of Netball.

“Supporters – give of your best, encourage your teams and support your national teams as patriotic citizens would. Critics – you, too, have your role to play; criticize constructively so that we would know where to improve and make necessary adjustments. We do not want to become negligent and lackadaisical, hence continue to assess and evaluate us to keep us on our cues,” Harry advised. .

“I know that we are all capable of doing good and being good. Therefore, let us all exhibit good sportsmanship qualities during this year’s tournament,” the President reminded those present.

Harry listed among the desired objectives of his Executive for 2010 the establishment l Continued from page 41

of a Secretariat, better trained umpires, the training of more coaches, the renovation and restoration work at the Kingstown Netball Center.

Additionally, Harry wants to see better Netball skills being exhibited by local netballers so that this country can once more rise not just to its former glory, but go beyond.

In his vein of teamwork, Harry advanced: “These objectives cannot be achieved independently. We need to understand that Netball is a team sport, hence one really outstanding player cannot win a game, but rather, it takes a combined effort from each person within the team for success to be forthcoming”.

Also addressing last Sunday’s opening were Digicel‘s representative, Jerry George, and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Mobilisation, with specific responsibility for Sports and Youth Affairs, Senator Ces Mc Kie.

Thirty-six teams spread in four divisions have registered for this year’s tournament.

Six are listed in Division One, nine in Division Two, 11 in Division Three and ten in Division Four.

Winning the March Past and Best Banner was Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem, a Division Three participant.

Nar Fren Dem also drew first blood when they edged out Spring Village 18-17, as competition began in earnest in that division. (RT)