Under-16 Netballers off to CNA Tournament

A team of Under-16 netballers left here yesterday bound for the 2010 Jean Pierre Caribbean Netball Association Tournament, which was set to begin in Barbados at the National Stadium there.{{more}}

The team is led by Cacica Cordice – who plays in the Centre, Wing Attack and Goal Attack positions.

The others are Joseann Antoine, listed to play Goal Defence, Goal Keep, Wing Defence and Goal Shooter, Ariel Stephens- Wing Attack and Centre; Daniella Mason and Annique John, who can play in the Goal Attack, Wing Attack and Centre positions. The other defenders are Maranda Spencer and Zoe Frederick. Tiwanna Cuffy and Keneisha Browne complete the group of versatile mid court players, with Carlene Douglas, a Goal Attacker, and Kaywanna Charles, a Goal Shooter.

The team’s manager is Cheryl Alexander, with Godfrey Harry and Anthony Jack, this country’s representatives on the umpires’ panel.

It will be a return for this country after missing out on last year’s tournament, which was held in Jamaica.

In 2008, in Antigua and Barbuda, the Vincentians finished third, with a 5-2 win/loss ratio, behind Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago.

Coach of the team, Moeth Gaymes, told SEARCHLIGHT last Sunday: ”I am expecting that we will make our country proud and strive to be in the top three teams coming out of the tournament”.

Gaymes in his first national duties as Coach revealed that despite only having four practice matches under their belt, he expects the young charges to rise to the occasion.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has lifted the title once, in 1999, also in Barbados, with the likes of Sophia Young, then Sophia Christopher and Sancho Lyttle in the team. Both have since gone on to play in the US WNBA.

The Jamaicans have won the memorial trophy eight times. The youth tournament was started in 1998 in Antigua, with Jamaica, the inaugural winners.

Jamaica went on to become champions in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.There were no tournaments in 2003 and 2007.(RT)