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Foundation, QC to do battle in final

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The 2017 maids of honour Christ Church Foundation School are one game away from becoming the beaming brides of the 2018 Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League.

During the much-anticipated Under-15 semifinal encounter, Foundation emerged victorious 23-21 when they clashed with last year's champions Lester Vaughan at the Netball Stadium yesterday.

It was all about revenge for Foundation coached by Sandrene Jordan. The former 2016 queens who were dethroned by one point (28-29) in last year's final against Lester Vaughan entered the game on a mission.

This time around the scoreboard read differently as the young ladies from Church Hill ensured that when the final whistle of umpires Laurel Browne and Linda Wilson sounded, they were the ones advancing into the final. After the first three periods, the score read 9-5, 11-11, 14-17.

National Under-16 players led the way for Foundation in the semicircle with goal-attack Chiara Chase registering 17 goals from her 25 attempts and goal-shooter Carol Ann Nurse scored six off eight attempts.

Lester Vaughan failed to capitalize on their opportunities having had 37 attempts at goal compared to 33 by Foundation. Goal-attack Vivica Addison led in the scoring department for the Cane Garden side, scoring 13 from 23 attempts and goal-shooter Danesha Davis freed her arms 14 times but only managed to put away eight of her attempts.

Elated coach Sandrene Jordan told Barbados TODAY after the game it was all about revenge. She explained that after last year's defeat to Lester Vaughan in the final, they were determined not to lose again to the same team even though they hadn't put in that much work as a unit.

“Honestly, those girls play a lot of netball, and they play a lot of netball together and most of them play with Silver Hill netball team so that is where they get their practice from. Then we have Chiara Chase, Carol Ann Nurse and Tiarra Graham,” Jordan said, emphasizing team defence would be the strategy for next week Tuesday's final to be played at the Netball Stadium at 4 p.m.

[caption id="attachment_271278" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Foundation’s goal-attack Chiara Chase was lethal in the semi-circle scoring 19 goals against the Lester Vaughan School. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay).[/caption]

Foundation will go up against Queen's College who executed an authoritative performance to beat Graydon Sealy 30-15 (7-5, 16-6, 24-12) in the other Under-15 semifinal contest. Queen's College goal-attack Janine Forde top scored with 19 goals from 26 attempts and goal-shooter Kaelyn Shockness ably assisted with 11 goals off 18 attempts.

[caption id="attachment_271280" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Queen’s College goal-attack Janine Forde with a good catch during the game against Graydon Sealy.[/caption]

National Under-16 player Shonica Griffith, perhaps the most experienced player on the Graydon Sealy team having played for Blackman and Gollop Primary when they ruled the NSC's netball competition in 2015 and 2016,  did not have the greatest of shooting afternoons.

Griffith wore the goal-attack bib yesterday but only accounted for nine goals from 18 attempts while fellow goal-attack Brittany Lucas shot four from eight and goal-shooter Rayneisha Leon had two goals off ten attempts. It was their shooting that really let them down.

The Under-13 final was also decided yesterday afternoon and the St Michael School and Springer Memorial are expected to do battle having earned their places against Combermere and Foundation respectively. 

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb

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Crowns for two netball queens

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The queens of athletics, Christ Church Foundation School and the St Michael School, are now the respective champions of the Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League that concluded this afternoon at the Netball Stadium.

In a memorable 2018 performance at the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championship, the two schools could not be separated on the points table as they tied for top honours.

[caption id="attachment_271537" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Christ Church Foundation School defeated Queen's College to be crowned queens of the Under-15 Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_271531" align="aligncenter" width="400"] The St Michael School Cougars celebrate after winning the Under-13 Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League.[/caption]

Now today in a different sport and setting, Foundation featured in the Under-15 final and emerged victorious 28-24, as they came from behind 5-8 in the opening stanza to edge Queen's College in the second and third periods 16-14 and 21-20. Meanwhile, the St Michael School ended their 14-year drought having last won the title in 2004. Today they got the better of former champions Springer Memorial in the Under-13 final winning 6-4 after the score was locked 2-2 at half-time.

Victorious coach of Foundation, Sandrene Jordan, told Barbados TODAY it wasn't easy for the young ladies from Church Hill to defy the odds and come out undefeated in the competition. Jordan commended her shooters, goal-shooter Carol-Ann Nurse who had an almost perfect score of 18 goals from 19 attempts and fellow national Under-16 player and goal-attack Chiara Chase with 11 from 17, for their excellent work inside the semicircle.

[caption id="attachment_271535" align="aligncenter" width="250"] The Most Valuable Player award for Under-15 netball went to Foundation’s goal-shooter Carol Ann Nurse.[/caption]

“These girls did not have a lot of practice leading into the Under-15 final but we got here nonetheless, so we did well...We focused on team defence a lot especially in this final and our shooters Carol-Ann and Chiara did really well. I told the girls do not give up until the fat lady sings,” an elated Jordan said.

Under the supervision of umpires Linda Wilson and former national goal-shooter Laurel Browne, the finals commenced at 4.p.m. with Queen's College having the majority of ball possession but their goal-shooter Kaelyn Shockness who ended with 11 goals from 20 attempts and goal-attack Janine Forde 13 off 24 attempts, missed too many shots which proved to their detriment.

[caption id="attachment_271533" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Foundation’s goalkeeper Britni Garnes (center) comes up with a good block to deny Queen’s College’s goal-attack Janine Forde (right) and goal-shooter Kaelyn Shockness (left). (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

Queen's College's centre player Kimani Archer, who was once part of that successful Blackman and Gollop Primary School netball team, did well in midcourt to keep the ball moving along with support from wing-attack Alysha Mascoll who was later substituted for Anise Alleyne.

After realizing that Queen's College was not scoring well, Jordan opted to change her defence, replacing goal-defence Tiarra Graham from as early as the second quarter with Serena Edwards and Dessani Whaite came on for Britni Garnes at goal-keep.  

The tall and well built Rashan Hunte of Queen's College playing at goal-defence did well at times to put pressure on fellow national Under-16 teammate and Foundation captain and goal-attack Chiara Chase who played well.

[caption id="attachment_271532" align="aligncenter" width="430"] Queen’s College’S goal-defence and national Under-16 player Rashan Hunte was a force to reckon with, as she picks this ball away from Foundation captain and goal-attack Chiara Chase (left).[/caption]

Queen's College down by two points at 14-16 managed to equalize against Foundation as both sides floated the ball in an attempt to reach the semicircle. The scores were periodically tied at 17-17, 18-18, 19-19, 20-20 until Foundation goal-shooter Carol-Ann Nurse broke the deadlock to give her team a one-goal lead at 21-20 heading into the decisive quarter.

It was a thriller in the final ten minutes of play with the scores once again tied 24-24 until Foundation showed great determination to steal ball possession and score the next four consecutive goals for the win.

Last year's champions the Lester Vaughan School came third with a 20-14 (7-4, 14-7, 16-10) result over Graydon Sealy Secondary in the third-place game.

In the first final of the day, the St Michael School remained true to their motto, which says 'Nothing Comes Without The Help Of God'.

Coach Desiree Crichlow told Barbados TODAY she credited hard work for her team's success while at the same time she gave special mention to Rangers' coach Harriett Waithe.

“The Under-13s who are in second form, they mainly train after school with Miss Waithe. But the first-formers who are on the team, they train with me at lunchtime. The girls played their hearts out and we really wanted to accomplish the win this year especially with us tying for the BSSAC championship. We want to continue our winning performances throughout the year,” said Crichlow, also a national track and field coach.  

[caption id="attachment_271536" align="aligncenter" width="380"] Most Valuable Player for the Under-13 competition went to Jahzara Holford (l) of the St Michael School.[/caption]

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb

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Another title for Grantley Prescod

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The victory was sweet like a slice of sweetbread for Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary, the new queens of the Pine Hill Dairy National Sports Council's Primary Schools Netball Competition.

It was a historic day for the St Barnabas-based Grantley Prescod team who just last week celebrated as champions of the BICO Football competition and returned today to complete the double by lifting the netball title with an entertaining 17-10 (5-2, 7-6, 10-7 ) victory against two-time finalists Vauxhall Primary.

Grantley Prescod are the undisputed darlings of zone four named after Marion Johnson-Hurley and Carolyn Sinckler. That performance made them the first school to claim both the football and netball trophies in the same year of National Sports Council primary schools competition.

[caption id="attachment_272729" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary are the new queens of the National Sports Council Primary Schools Netball Competition. (Picture by Morissa Lindsay).[/caption]

The final's most valuable player was Faith Wilson wearing the goal shooter's bib for Grantley Prescod. The tall sharp-shooter scored an impressive 15 goals from 17 attempts and received assistance from goal-attack Fabianna Jones with two of two, as they commanded the semicircle.

The main spark for Vauxhall was goal-attack Jamille Baird with nine goals from ten attempts. Goal-shooter Kayley Sealy netted one of two opportunities. Baird was so good in the final that she was one of three players adjudged most outstanding goal-attack. The other two were Shontel Jacobs of Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary and Kenechie Harris-Jordan of Hindsbury Primary.

Tournament coordinator Tracey Leacock said a total of 52 teams participated this year. Vauxhall had the opening centre pass and under the guidance of umpires Sonia Banfield and Sandrene Jordan - coaches at the National Sports Council - the feature match commenced with high intensity.

Vauxhall opened the scoring through Baird but Grantley Prescod quickly raced to a three-goal lead 5-2 at the conclusion of the first of the four quarters that were each played for six minutes.

Vauxhall managed to equalize 5-5 with goal-attack Baird firing the required three-goals to tie the score. Suddenly it was even-steven, as Vauxhall managed to slow down the pace of the game and hustle their way back into the contest, even though Grantley Prescod took a one-goal advantage (7-6) at halftime.

Grantley Prescod's goal-defence Shonte Codrington, wing-attack Davina Lewis and goalkeeper Shakayla Howard, along with the two shortest players on court, wind-defence Christiana Padmore and centre player Jakayla Waterman, were all instrumental in ensuring that the ball stayed out of Vauxhall's possession for most of the game.

And they did a fabulous job as Vauxhall managed just three goals in the decisive quarter compared to seven by Grantley Prescod who were on their way at that stage to be crowned champions.

Two of the aforementioned took home top prizes for Grantley Prescod. Waterman jointly tied for the best centre player with Alika Harewood of St Judes Primary and goal-defence Codrington shared that award with Kenisha Ashton of Lawrence T. Gay Primary. The only positions that were solo were those of goalkeeper won by Ameilia Prescod of Vauxhall and Lyren Brathwaite of Christ Church Girls.

Grantley Prescod emerged undefeated in the competition and victorious physical education teacher Dwayne Moseley gave much credit to coach Faith Sealy, manager Andrew Bispham and National Sports Council coach Monette Wharton.

Moseley said that tomorrow the school would have a big celebration around the St Barnabas community. He said this would be in an effort to highlight the positive work being done at the school.

“People associate the area with bad behaviour, saying, 'oh, these are pine children, right?' But one of the things that we have worked on with this team has been discipline and remaining focused. And as you see here today the girls were up to the task, focused and a well-disciplined team,” Moseley said about his team that won the third-place game last year.

Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary won the third-place game 15-5 (3-1, 6-2, 10-5) over last year's champions West Terrace Primary. It was an impressive showing by Wilkie Cumberbatch, who also won the team shoot competition and clinched the best individual shooting prize through Kennia Blackman (53 goals), the daughter of national vice-captain and Barbados' most capped player Latonia Blackman. Finishing second was Blackman's teammate Shontel Jacobs and Ciara Smith of Deacons Primary.

Interestingly, this is the first time in the competition that the top two teams in the final came out of the same zone, and similarly, the third and fourth place teams, Wilkie Cumberbatch and West Terrace are also from the Angela Gibbs and Anna Shepherd zone. Despite losing the third-place game, West Terrace topped that zone ahead of Wilkie Cumberbatch.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb

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Busy season for netballers

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A total of 72 teams and 32 clubs have registered to participate in the 2018 Barbados Netball Association's (BNA) domestic season which officially began yesterday afternoon with an opening ceremony and parade at the Wildey Gymnasium.

During her featured address, BNA president Nisha Craigwell said the local netball fraternity deserved to see and experience netball at the highest level, and for this very reason, the BNA created history by hosting its first ever international Test series against the Uganda She Cranes at the Gymnasium.

[caption id="attachment_231465" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Barbados’ most capped netball player and Barbados Olympic Association Sports Person of the Year, Latonia Blackman (left), receiving the President’s award from Barbados Netball Association President, Nisha Craigwell. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

“Gone are the days where netball was just used as recreation and bragging rights, it is now played professionally in varying leagues across the world. My Bajan Gems deserve the opportunity to be part of a fraternity that earns a living from playing netball and under my presidency this area will get some much-needed attention,” Craigwell said.

Her comments were met with assurances from Barbados Olympic Association general secretary, Erskine Simmons, who said the BOA had recommended a grant of BDS$70, 000 to the BNA this year.

[caption id="attachment_231464" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Roxanne Snider receiving the senior title award for Signia University of the West Indies Blackbirds from Barbados Olympic Association general secretary Erskine Simmons.[/caption]

That news by Simmons was welcomed considering Barbados has a busy year of netball on its calendar, starting with the senior team as they prepare to depart on March 27 for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Currently ranked 11th in the world, Craigwell praised the senior team, saying: “Our Bajan Gems are a world-class team and have the distinction of being the highest ranked national team in Barbados. To maintain a high international ranking is no easy feat that comes at a cost, not only financially but mentally and physically. Many beloved Gems paid the price dearly, they have made many sacrifices to ensure that our country remains relevant and is easily recognized as a team to beat on the international scene.”

Following the senior ladies outing, the junior Gems are also slated to compete in St Lucia at the Jean-Pierre Under-16 Netball Championship from April 6 to 12.

In July, reigning queens Christ Church Foundation School and Springer Memorial will represent Barbados at the Under-19 Schools Regional Competition in Jamaica.

Barbados for the first time since 2006 will host the Americas Federation of Netball Association Qualifier for Netball World Cup which will take place from August 24 to September 2, 2019, in Liverpool.

According to Craigwell, several countries such as Argentina, United States of America, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Marteen, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Bermuda, have all expressed an interest to the local organizing committee chaired by Annette Beckett to participate in the qualifiers.

Craigwell thanked the sponsors for their contribution and encouraged the players to approach each game with optimism and a “can-do attitude”, prove the naysayers wrong and be positive. 

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb

   

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And then there were four

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The finals of the Barbados Secondary Schools Under-19 Netball Competition will tip off next week Thursday, but not before defending champions Springer Memorial clash with Queen’s College and former champions Christ Church Foundation take on Lester Vaughan.

[caption id="attachment_220640" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Parkinson’s goalkeeper Shada Coppin (l) challenging for the ball with Foundation’s goal shooter Chiara Chase (Pictures by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce)[/caption]

After defeating the girls from Cane Garden on Tuesday evening on home court in a top of the table playoff match, Springer made light work of The Lodge School defeating them 33-13 in the first of four quarterfinal matches played at the Netball Stadium this evening.

Springer had scoring leads of 9-2, 12-2, 8-2 at the end of the first three quarters but were outscored in the last period 4-7.

Goal shoot Jada Smith grabbed the majority of the goals for the Government Hill queens, scoring 19 from 24 attempts at the ring.

[caption id="attachment_220641" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Lodge’s goal keeper Africal Chase trying to stop Springer’s Jada Smith from retrieving a loose ball.[/caption]

As usual, Smith was assisted by her goal-attack team-mate Rashanna Thorne who continues to be impressive as the competition goes into the later stages, netting eight goals from 15 attempts, Shawnelle Trotman was also amongst the goals for Springer gaining six from 9 attempts when she was introduced into the game.

Lodge’s 13 goals came thanks to Tamersha Clarke who bagged 8 from 11 attempts and goal attack Jakiliah Alleyne-Morris who had 3 from 11 as well as Karissa Graham who only converted 2 goals from 11 attempts as well.

Playing on the opposite court former champs Foundation totally outclassed Parkinson Memorial in a one-way traffic encounter with the score being a lop-sided 47-7 when the final whistle was blown.

The quarter scores of 11-2 , 13-2 , 12-2 and 11-1 told the story and were emphatic, all in favour of the girls from on the hill.

In three of the four quarters, the Pine girls managed a mere two goals in each quarter and just one in the last ten-minute period.

Goal shooter Janeil Charles had 6 goals from 9 attempts, while goal attack Remisha Prescod scored only one.

For Foundation, goal attack Briana Holder top-scored with 24 goals from 29 attempts while goal shoot Ciara Chase was close behind her with 23 goals from 27 attempts.

Last year's runners-up Queens College have also booked their place in the final four this time around and will be looking to go all the way to get revenge on Springer Memorial in a repeat of last year's final.

Queen's College got the better of Coleridge and Parry winning 29-14 over 40 minutes. (6-4,7-3,7-5,9-2)

Goal shooter Janine Forde made sure that 22 of her 30 attempts counted and she was supported by Brittney Small who added seven goals from 11 attempts where she was reluctant to shoot at times.

The girls from Ashton Hall depended on Roshea Williams’ nine goals from ten attempts but this simply wasn't enough to threaten Queens College.

However, the most competitive game on the evening featured Lester Vaughan and The St.Michael  School with just 3 points separating the two.

Vivica Addison who was deployed in the goal attack position scored eight from fifteen attempts while goal shoot Jana Joseph had four from ten.

Goal shoot Kellisa Kelly did most of the damage for St Michael School netting 12 goals from 22 attempts.

The quarter scores were 3-5, 4-3, 4-2, 6-4.

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Final goal

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It will be a case of defending champions versus former champions. However, regardless of the outcome the 2017 Barbados Secondary Schools' Under-19 netball title will be climbing a hill come Thursday evening.

The big question is whether it will be Government Hill or Church Hill.  That's because both Springer Memorial and Christ Church Foundation easily won their respective semi-final encounters to book their tickets to the final in two days time.

Playing at the Netball Stadium on court two, Springer who were without their main goal attack and top player Rashanna Thorne due to suspension, made light work of Queen's College in a re-enactment of last year's final defeating the Husbands, St James girls 21-13.

With Thorne's much-noted absence, Jada Smith stepped up to the plate with 19 goals from 29 attempts, but missing ten times from relatively close range

Smith was assisted by Sierra Coward who had big boots to fill and wing attack Julisa Jones- Smith who each scored one goal. Coward had one goal from three attempts while Jones-Smith netted her solitary attempt.

Knowing that they were facing a tough task, Queen's College's goal attack Brittney Small who was reluctant to shoot in the quarterfinals had no choice but to take aim as she bagged three goals from seven attempts.

However, Janine Forde was the top scorer for QC with nine goals from 12 attempts.

[caption id="attachment_221133" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Queen’s College goal shooter Janine Forde catches the ball ahead of Springer Memorial’s goal keeper Diamond Hollingsworth (Pictures by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce)[/caption]

Forde tried her best to rally her team, but there was no stopping Springer who have their eyes on a third netball title in as many years.

It was one-way traffic which was very surprising to fans as both teams knew each other quite well. Springer won most of the quarters of the match except the second one which they lost 7-5 but winning the first 6-1, the third 5-2 and the fourth 5-3.

The reigning queen's backline of Shonte Seale and Diamond Hollingsworth at the heart did extremely well all evening sniffing out any possible offensive danger posed by Queen's College.

Both Seale and Hollingsworth intercepted a number of passes spearheaded by center Janiaa Mayers who ensured Forde didn't have many chances to convert.

In the other match played on court one which was much more evenly contested, Foundation defeated Lester Vaughan by just eight goals, 25-17.

After losing to the champions in the final play-off match and then winning their quarterfinal match 17-14 over the St Michael school, the girls from Cane Garden, St Thomas were full of confidence coming up against a Foundation team who had decimated Parkinson 47-7 to reach the last four.

However, it was Foundation's day on the court as goal shooter Romancia Odwin scored 11 goals from 17 attempts with some supportive spectators frequently yelling “nothing but net” as her shots went in.

Chiara Chase was the top girl for Foundation, though, with 12 goals from 19 attempts and wing attack Briana Holder chipped in with two goals from three attempts.

[caption id="attachment_221132" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Foundation’s goal attack Chiara Chase shooting over Lester Vaughan’s Rowland Kirton Browne.[/caption]

Lester Vaughan depended on goal shooter Jana Joseph and Vivica Addison who had 7 goals from 12 attempts and 10 from 19 respectively which weren't enough to give them a victory.

The final will get underway at 3:45 p.m. after Queen's College take on Lester Vaughan in the third-place match.

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Four advance to second phase

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Four teams in Zone two have secured places in round two of the National Sports Council’s Pine Hill Dairy-sponsored Primary Schools Netball Competition.
West Terrace Primary with a total of five wins tallied ten points to lead the Angela Gibbs and Anna Shepherd Zone, accompanied by Hillaby Turners Hall Primary on seven points, St Joseph Primary six and Stephen’s Primary with three have advanced.
[caption id="attachment_202430" align="aligncenter" width="300"] West Terrace Primary are one of four teams through to round two of the competition.[/caption]
This is the first of five zones to have concluded the opening round and West Terrace Primary who are usually one of the top contenders convincingly defeated Good Shepherd Primary 14-0 with goal-attack Skye Spencer-Layne scoring eight from ten attempts, goal-shooters Sierra Rayside netted four and Nalanni Cumberbatch had two goals. The going was so tough for Good Shepherd shooters Zarina Williams (goal-shooter) and Nevaeh Moore (goal-attack) that they did not have any scoring opportunities.
[caption id="attachment_202432" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Good Shepherd center Charian Alexander (third left) attempting to challenge Shaniya Phillips-Cummins (with ball).[/caption]
Good Shepherd were edged 2-1 by Hillaby Turner’s Hall with goal-attack Arrianne Carrington accounting for both goals while Nevaeh Moore netted the one goal for Good Shepherd who suffered their third defeat of the day at the hands of St Joseph Primary. They nipped Good Shepherd 1-0 with St Joseph Primary goal-attack Rania Roberts being responsible for the victory.
St Stephen’s Primary also managed a 1-0 win in Zone two when they took on Grazettes Primary thanks to goal-shooter Chanelle Walcott.
[caption id="attachment_202433" align="aligncenter" width="650"] The team shooting competition took place today in zone two[/caption]
At James Bryan Sports Complex in the Pamala Proverbs Zone, a strange coincidence occurred when Ellerton Primary played three matches and did not have any scoring attempts in those three encounters. Against Blackman and Gollop Primary they lost 3-0 with goal-shooter Shazari Hunte putting two through the hoop from her four attempts and goal-attack Kandria Gomes scored one of her three.
They also lost to Mount Tabor Primary 3-0 with goal-attack Sasha Alleyne effortlessly scoring three from her effort of six attempts and the struggle continued when they came up against St Bernard’s Primary and were beaten 2-0 as goal-shooter Jatari Worrell secured both goals.
Cuthbert Moore Primary were outstanding at home and this time St Bernard’s were no match going down 6-0. Goal-attack Zariah Mascoll fell one short of a perfect score when she netted five goals along with one from goal-shooter Aaliyah Stoute.

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Barbados netballers trounce T&T

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Barbados made a clean sweep of their three-Test series against Trinidad and Tobago when they conjured up yet another convincing performance to win the final match 44-40 on Sunday night.

For the third consecutive night at the National Cycling Centre, Barbados controlled the contest from the outset, made T&T chase the game and executed when it mattered most, to register a comfortable victory.

The success was the fourth straight for Barbados, coming against the backdrop of their shock win over regional powerhouses Jamaica in the final game of a similar three-Test series in Kingston last month.

Goal shooter Shonica Wharton wrapped up a terrific series with another consistent display, scoring 31 goals from 34 attempts while goal attack Latonia Blackman chipped in with 10 from 11 in the first quarter.

[caption id="attachment_202870" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Shonica Wharton had the hot hands for Barbados.[/caption]

For Trinidad, goal shooter Joelisa Cooper shot 23 from 28 attempts while goal attack Tahirah Hollingsworth, who was absent for the third quarter, finished with 16 goals from 24 attempts.

Barbados enjoyed another solid start to lead 14-7 at the quarter break and despite being outscored in the second quarter, were up 23-18 at half-time.

The visitors regained their rhythm in the penultimate quarter to out-shoot T&T 14-10 and lead 37-28 going into the final quarter.

However, T&T made a final quarter surge to whittle down Barbados' lead but lacked the killer touch in the end.

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Springer Memorial dethroned

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Defending queens Springer Memorial will not get a shot at repeating as champions of the Under-13 Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League this year.

Coleridge and Parry tenaciously denied the girls from Government Hill with an 11-6 victory after leading 6-1 at the halftime break Tuesday afternoon at the Netball Stadium. Coleridge and Parry advance to the semifinal.

The duration of the game was 20 minutes with two ten-minute halves and Coleridge and Parry under the guidance of former national netball captain Wanda Agard- Belgrave were able to get the better of Springer Memorial with great passes and wonderful execution at the nets.

In fact the girls from St Peter won the first center pass and right away they got on the scoreboard through goal-shooter Samika Watson who accounted for a total of eight goals from her 11 attempts while goal attack Rochea Williams scored three from seven.

The one goal Springer Memorial scored during the first quarter came through goal-shooter Saniaya Mapp who finished with five goals.

[caption id="attachment_203613" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Springer Memorial goal-attack Tshanni Payne (left) anticipates a catch while Coleridge and Parry goal-defence Adonnica Phillips reaches in vain. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

Tshanni Payne, a product of Blackman and Gollop Primary when they became double crown champions of the Pine Hill Dairy National Primary Schools Netball competition in 2014 and 2015, disappointed for Springer Tuesday and forced coach Julie Phillips to make a switch by bringing on Hayleigh Haynes as goal attack while moving Payne to center.

It was a decision that worked to an extent as Payne at center looked more comfortable. Haynes netted one goal in the second and final quarter.

Coleridge and Parry showed great ball handling skills and kept the ball flowing while being dominant at defence.

Former queens Christ Church Foundation School did not disappoint as they too secured a spot with a convincing 16-5 triumph over The St Michael School. Both shooters from Foundation shared the same number of goals. Goal-shooter Desani Waithe had 21 attempts from which she netted eight and goal-attack Serena Edwards matched her in the scoring department with eight from 17 attempts.

Alleyne School were unable to prevent a classy showing from Queen's College as they trounced the St Andrew crew 17-3 during the other semifinal match-up Tuesday afternoon.

The girls from Husbands, St James led 8-1 after the first quarter and never had reason to look back. The Lodge School also advanced into the semifinal defeating Harrison College 16-11.

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Major challenge for netballers

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Barbados' young netballers are ready for the Under-21 World Youth Netball Championships in Gaborone, Botswana in July.

After a nine-month training period that started last October, the talented “Bajan Gems” are eager to take on the world's best netballers at the prestigious upcoming

Since the team qualified in first position in August at the Netball World Youth Cup Qualifiers in St Maarten, some new faces have joined the twelve- member team. These include Zakiya Kirton, Tamara Trotman, Xhane Greenidge and Najee Moore. They have teamed up with the more experienced players Sheniqua Thomas (captain), Sade Browne (vice-captain), Shonica Wharton, Shonte Seale, Rashida Chase, Amanda Knight, Vanessa Bobb and Shaquilla Davis.

[caption id="attachment_203755" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Team Barbados (from left) Shonte Seale, Sade Browne, Sheniqua Thomas, Vanessa Bobb, Najee Moore, Shonica Wharton, Rashida Chase, Amanda Knight, Shaquilla Davis, Xhane Greenidge, Zakiya Kirton and Tamara Trotman.[/caption]

Of the four new faces who will be representing Barbados in Botswana, Trotman will be decked in national colours for the first time. Her defensive skills will be an asset to the team. Trotman told Barbados TODAY she was thrilled finally to be realising her dream of representing Barbados in netball. She added she intended not only to make herself proud but also her country.

 The young Gems will be led by head coach Sandra Bruce-Small, assistant coaches Julie Phillips and Margaret Cutting, trainer Captain Desmond Grant and manager Lynette Holder.

Bruce-Small told Barbados TODAY she expected the team to perform very well. “We've been working very hard and since it is a world tournament, every team will come to put their best foot forward, but I do expect our girls to have a great performance,” she said.

Bruce-Small added she was very excited about the trip and believed it would be a great experience for the players who were now being exposed to the international level for the first time and might want to move on to the senior level. She explained the tour would give them an idea of what to expect when they moved up a notch.

The ladies leave for Africa on July 2 and will return home on July 19. They are scheduled to compete against the world's best netball teams in pool B - Australia, Zimbabwe, Singapore and South Africa.

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Face off

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Queen's College's competitiveness and all-round dominance throughout the Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League have earned them a place in the Under-13 final against Christ Church Foundation School (CCFS).
Thursday afternoon against Coleridge and Parry, the girls from Husbands, St James were exceptional during the two ten-minute halves which saw them come out on top by a whopping 16 goals at 19-3. They led 13-1 after the first period.
Queen's College were runners up last year to Springer Memorial who were dethroned by Coleridge and Parry during their quarterfinal this past Tuesday.
Goal-shooter Rheann Gill produced a perfect score of 12 goals from 12 attempts while both goal-attacks Leann Leacock scored four goals from nine attempts and Dominique Blenman had three goals from her eight attempts.
Coleridge and Parry's defenders had no response to the constant pressure imposed on them by the opposition who made passes and execution inside the semicircle look so very easy. The errors were frequent and costly for Coleridge and Parry. They often forced their offensive play instead of being patient, looking to make accurate passes and properly timing their attempts at defensive stops.As a result they often went for spells without getting a proper look at the basket.
Goal-shooter Shamika Watson and goal-attacks Amanda Edwards and Rochea Williams all accounted for one goal each for Coleridge and Parry.
Foundation won their game but had much resistance from The Lodge School who they defeated 13-6 to advance but will definitely need to brush up come next week if they are to give the strong Queen's College team a run for their money. Foundation led 6-3 at the end of the first period.
During the second half, The Lodge School were down by three goals (3-6) and tried to close the gap through substitute goal-shooter Sumara Benn. They scored an additional goal but Foundation responded rather quickly through goal-shooter Serena Edwards.
The girls from Church Hill netted a total of seven goals in this period, all of which came off the fingertips of Edwards while The Lodge girls could only manage a mere three goals.
Edwards finished the game with 12 goals from 17 attempts and goal-attack Larisa Gill had one off one.
Meanwhile for Lodge goal-shooter Mari Greenidge accounted for three goals from five attempts and Benn who had switched from goalkeeper to take on the goal-shooter role netted two from three and goal-attack Desalene Callender had one.
In addition to the two Under-13 matches played Thursday afternoon, the Under-15 quarterfinals were also contested and defending champions Foundation came from behind for a 25-20 (5-5, 8-11, 18-15) win over Alleyne School.
Queen's College also made an impact in the Under-15 competition securing a semifinal spot. They defeated St Michael School who put up a good fight but were unable to stop the college ladies who were strong on both offence and defence and came out on top 27-21 (8-8, 15-13, 20-16).
Meanwhile Springer Memorial got the better of Coleridge and Parry 29-23 (8-5, 12-13, 21-16) to book their semifinal spot.
The Under-13 final will take place next week Tuesday June 20 but prior to that the Under-15 semifinals will be played.

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West Terrace, Vauxhall among today’s winners

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It was the turn of the netballers from Zones 3 and 4 to showcase their talent as the National Sports Council's Pine Hill DaIry-sponsored Primary Schools Netball Tournament continued at the netball stadium Monday. The unavailability of some schools did not stop the show.

West Terrace Primary defeated Blackman and Gollop Primary in the first game 4-0. West Terrace's goal shooter Sierra Rayside scored one of her three attempts while goal attack Skye Spencer-Layne netted three of her five attempts.

[caption id="attachment_204299" align="aligncenter" width="300"] West Terrace goal shooter Sierra Rayside puting up her shot over goal keeper for Blackman and Gollop, Mariah Kirton.[/caption]

In game two Reynold Weekes Primary and Ignatius Byer Primary drew 2-2. Reynold Weekes' goal attack Azariah Browne scored both of her attempts and goal shooter Rheann Thorpe scored two of her four attempts.

The Vauxhall Primary School really had a great morning as they were victorious in their first match against St. Bartholomew's Primary 9 -2. As the game was quite a struggle for St. Bartholomew's, Vauxhall used that as an advantage to show how well netball can be played. Vauxhall's goal shooter netted all eight of her attempts and goal attack Mariah Chandler contributed one goal.

St. George Primary came out victorious over Hillaby Turners Hall. Goal shooter Shakyla Brathwaite scored one of her three attempts and goal attack Tashauna Lewis netted all three of her three attempts. Meanwhile goal attack of Hillaby Turners Hall Arianna Carrington scored the lone goal.

As the games continued, Cuthbert Moore Primary defeated St. George Primary 4-1. This was a tough one for the St. George based institution, Cuthbert Moore's goal shooter Aaliyah Stoute made sure she converted her two of three attempts as well as goal attack Alisha Elcock who netted her two of three attempts.

Yet another win came for the Vauxhall Primary school as they edged out Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary 5-2. Goal shooter Makayla Lynch scored four of her seven attempts and goal attack Briana Baird scored one of her two attempts. Wilkie Cumberbatch goal shooter Kenia Blackman scored her team's two goals.

St. Bartholomew's Primary pulled away with quite a comfortable win against Blackman and Gollop Primary. Treanna Cummins, goal shooter for St. Bartholomew's, scored all three of her attempts while goal attack Kionna Best finished three of her four for the 6-0 result.

To finish off the morning's proceedings, Ignatius Byer defeated St. Stephens Primary 3-1. Rheann Thorpe scored only two of her nine attempts and goal attack Kianna Grifith had one from her two attempts. St. Stephen's goal attack Sage Hunte scored her team's only goal.

Matches continue on Wednesday, June 22, at the Netball Stadium.

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Netball tournament into quarterfinals

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The Pine Hill Dairy-sponsored National Sports Council's Primary Schools Netball Competition is into the quarterfinal stage, after action continued at the Netball Stadium Thursday with four games played to complete matches in zones three and four.
Friday's quarterfinal matches will see Grantley Prescod Primary take on Lawrence T Gay Primary, Vauxhall Primary play St Giles Primary, A Dacosta Edwards Primary tackle Reynold Weekes Primary and Cuthbert Moore Primary battle against West Terrace Primary.
[caption id="attachment_204707" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Goal attack Azariah Ashton of Grantley Prescod Primary putting up a shot over St Giles goal defence Jalicia Harper.[/caption]
Thursday West Terrace Primary hammered St. Bartholomew's Primary 8-2. Goal shooter Sierra Rayside scored one of her three attempts while goal attack Skye Spencer-Layne netted seven of her thirteen attempts. St. Bartholomew's goal shooter Treanna Cummins scored the only two goals for her school.
The game between Grantley Prescod Primary and St. Giles Primary was very competitive with both schools displaying laudable netball talent. Grantley Prescod edged St Giles Primary 9-5. Grantley Prescod's goal shooter Kimberly Phillips scored five goals from her seven attempts and goal attack Azariah Ashton netted four of six attempts. Shakya Harding of St Giles scored two goals from her three attempts while goal attack Ciara Evelyn contributed three goals from her five attempts.
A. Dacosta Edwards Primary and Lawrence. T. Gay both struggled in the game resulting in a 2-2 draw. A. Dacosta Edwards' goal shooter Kiara Taylor scored her only attempt as did goal attack Ranisha Clarke.
Lawrence T Gay's goal attack Tianna Morris netted both of her attempts.
Reynold Weekes Primary were victorious in their match-up against St. Stephen's Primary, finishing the game 7-1. Reynold Weekes goal shooter Makeda Greaves scored one of her two attempts and goal attack Azariah Browne finished six of her eight attempts while St. Stephen's goal shooter Chanelle Walcott scored their lone goal.
[caption id="attachment_204706" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Goal keeper Ashante Rudder of St Ambrose Primary challenging the shot from St Jude's goal attack Adrianna Browne.[/caption]
In the final game, St Jude's Primary defeated St Ambrose Primary 2-1. Goal shooter Tanisha Smith scored her solitary attempt as did goal attack Adrianna Browne. St Ambrose goal shooter Tianna Cave scored their lone goal.

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Lester Vaughan are U15 queens

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The Lester Vaughan School are the new champions of the Barbados Secondary Schools Under-15 Netball League after defeating Christ Church Foundation School (CCFS) 29-28 in a thriller at the Netball Stadium.

Friday afternoon the girls from Christ Church were leading at the first ten minute halves, 6-8 and 15-16, but that did not stop the Lester Vaughan girls from eventually snatching the victory.

In the third quarter of the game, the girls from Lester Vaughan stepped up their play a notch, adding tremendous pressure on their opponent, who were also determined and did not allow them to pull away. This resulted in the scores being locked at 22-22.

[caption id="attachment_204802" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Champions of the Barbados Secondary Schools Netball League - The Lester Vaughan School.[/caption]

The final quarter was the highlight of the afternoon, as both teams battled neck and neck and were adamant on keeping the scores locked with Foundation responding to each goal being scored by Lester Vaughan and vice versa. In the last five minutes of the game, the Lester Vaughan school managed to pull away by two goals but Foundation responded quickly afterwards.

The last two minutes of the game had everyone on their feet. The Foundation School's defenders had no response to the pressure placed on them by their opponents, who made their passes and execution into the shooting circle look quite easy giving Lester Vaughan the chance to lock the score at 28-28 and manage to get another goal just before the final whistle blew ending the game at 29-28.

Goal-shooter Dalia Knight scored nineteen of her twenty-six attempts and goal-attack Vivica Addison netted ten of her fourteen attempts. Foundation's attacking players also found it very hard in keeping possession of the ball and failed to execute in their shooting circle with goal-shooter Aaliyah Hurdle finishing thirteen of her nineteen attempts and goal-attack Chiara Chase netting fifteen of her eighteen attempts.

In addition to that match being played, The Springer Memorial School defeated Queen's College 33-30 to take third position.

Goal-shooter Jada Smith of Springer Memorial scored ten of her 21 attempts and goal attack Rashanna Thorne had an outstanding performance scoring twenty-three of her twenty-four attempts.

Meanwhile Queen's College goal-shooter Nya Alleyne scored nine of her fourteen attempts and goal-attack Janine Forde netted twenty-one of her twenty-five attempts.

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Sports fillip

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Barbadian netballers have cause for celebration. A long requested internationally graded floor is among the upgrades at the refurbished Garfield Sobers Sports Complex that was recently handed over to the Government.

Speaking during yesterday's opening ceremony at the 38th Annual Barbados Workers' Union's (BWU) Netball Tournament at the Netball Stadium, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, announced that the doors to the newly refurbished complex were now open and outfitted with a state of the art floor built specifically for the sport of netball.

“I want to assure the president [Nisha Craigwell] that when we spent $19 million in the refurbishment of the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, we were listening all along to her cries for having an internationally graded floor,” Lashley said in the presence of the Barbados Netball Association (BNA) president Nisha Craigwell and BWU president, Toni Moore,

“This facility can be used as a training venue for overseas teams, which may be looking for facilities in a warmer climate to train for upcoming tournaments...I would like to invite the netball association to see this as an opportunity for them to stage major international netball tournaments in Barbados. You now have an excellent facility in which to do so,” Lashley said.

A total of 25 teams are scheduled to participate in the competition in four respective zones. These are the Leroy Trotman, Gabby Scott, Ulric Sealy and Linda Brook zones.

During the ceremony, national senior vice captain Latonia Blackman, Sabrina Smith, Sheniqua Thomas and Amanda Knight were all recognized for their continued participation over the years in the tournament and Craigwell expressed how grateful the BNA was for partners and entities such as the Barbados Workers Union for their continued support given to the sport of netball.

[caption id="attachment_213592" align="aligncenter" width="500"] (From left) Senior vice-captain Latonia Blackman, Amanda Knight, Katrina Thomas receiving on behalf of niece Sheniqua Thomas and Sabrina Smith at yesterday’s opening ceremony.[/caption]

She also spoke about the success of the 11th ranked Barbados senior team, which qualified for the Gold Coast tournament next April in Australia, by defeating fourth-ranked Jamaica after 30 years, and went on to play unbeaten against Trinidad.

However, Craigwell said she was concerned with the plight facing the sport regionally.

“Even though we are happy to represent our country, we are saddened by the state of netball in the region....Our biggest shortfall is taking care of our coaches. We have been for a long time, trying to secure a technical director. The resources have been approved and we are now at the stage of selecting the right personnel for our programme. We are hoping that this programme attracts all coaches in Barbados to ensure that the project is a success. Coaching is an area that requires a lot of attention if we are to be successful in raising the bar, in the standard of play for netball in Barbados,” Craigwell said.

In keeping with their motto which states, Unity is Strength, BWU president Moore recognized sports as a powerful medium that could be used to bring about unity.

[caption id="attachment_213591" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Chickmont Ballers captured both prizes for best banner and best team on parade, here team-members are presented with their winning trophy by president of the BWU, Toni Moore. (Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

“With spiralling crime plaguing life in our society, the Barbados Workers Union regards this as an opportunity to build on our current commitment in the area of organized netball and cricket. It is our hope that we can expand beyond these two sports to have a healthy and outstanding tournament. We also recognize the opportunity for Government, other agencies and communities to continue to see amongst other things, how sports can be used more widely to provide an outlet to help our youths, particularly to assist those that are regarded as youth at risk,” she said.

After the respective speeches, Chickmont Ballers stood out during the opening parade and captured the prize for best team on parade and best-displayed banner as judged by Mona Alleyne, Melissa Farley and Cherri Boyce.

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Skye high

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Most Valuable Player Skye Spencer-Layne showcased sublime netball shooting skills that led her school West Terrace Primary to their very first National Sports Council Pine Hill Dairy-sponsored Primary Schools Netball Championship trophy.

Tuesday at the Netball Stadium, the curtains came down on the competition with West Terrace becoming the second school in two consecutive years to deny Vauxhall Primary a chance at lifting the title having made the final last year and losing to St Giles Primary.

Just after 11:30.a.m. the championship game consisting of four quarters of six minutes each commenced between the two top schools that have never tasted victory since the tournament's inception 35 years ago in 1982.

West Terrace referring to themselves as the Tigers dominated the Angela Gibbs and Anna Shepherd zone and Tuesday after being down 2-3 and 4-5 at half-time came from behind to command the final quarters 9-7 and 12-9 over an emotionally drained Vauxhall team who had worked very hard for a victory only to end up being the bridesmaids yet again.

[caption id="attachment_205928" align="aligncenter" width="300"] West Terrace Primary are the queens of the 2017 National Sports Council’s Pine Hill Dairy Netball Competition.
(Pictures by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

Spencer-Layne, former 2014 victrix ludorum at the National Primary Schools Athletics Championship, exhibited some wonderfully accurate shooting in her final year representing her primary school before making the transition in September to the colours of Christ Church Foundation.

The versatile goal-attack netted ten goals from 14 attempts and was ably supported by goal-shooter Sierra Rayside with two of six.

Meanwhile first choice goal-shoot Makayla Lynch was responsible for all nine of Vauxhall Primary's goals.

The two teams were good on defence especially Vauxhall goalkeeper and captain Joanna Atkins who was later moved to goal-defence in the fourth and decisive quarter for which she was adjudged the best in the tournament. Atkins utilised her height very well to intercept several passes for Vauxhall.

However, West Terrace ensured they continued to feed their shooters inside the semi-circle and much credit to Rianna Wiggins who commanded the centre post.

The primary school queens of St James were tied 7-7 when Spencer-Layne freed her arms for four consecutive goals at different ranges that not only ended the tie but also placed her team in a commanding position.

[caption id="attachment_205933" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Acting assistant director of the National Sports Council Ryan Toppin presented Most Valuable Player Skye Spencer- Layne of West Terrace Primary with her trophy.[/caption]

Several cheers from the Tigers' support team in the stands greeted each goal scored by the young lady. That performance was the deciding factor that practically sealed the victory as Vauxhall had a hard task of either keeping the ball in their possession or getting it past West Terrace athletic defence team led by goalkeeper Jahzara Holford, goal-defence Tikera Browne-Hall and wing-defence Morgan Tobiere who played well to ensure both of Vauxhall shooters Lynch and goal-attack Mariah Chandler got limited possession.

Ecstatic coach and physical education teacher, Roderick Harmon, acknowledged that throughout the tournament they had encountered stiff competition which made the victory all the sweeter.

“We knew what our team was capable of and our drill was that if we can just correct those mistakes and stay true to our form we will come out triumphant and thank God today we did,” he said.

Harmon, a teacher at West Terrace for the past 16 years, explained one of the many reasons the school has done so well in sports was due to being blessed with an abundance of talent.

“One you have talent, it makes the coaches job easy and the school has been blessed in the time that I have been there. We have had tremendously talented young people. For me the challenge with everything is for people to think and to believe in themselves,” he said.

In the third-place play-off, Grantley Prescod were victorious 13-6 against A DaCosta Edwards Primary with goal-shooter Kimberley Phillips scoring eight of 14 attempts and goal-attack Azariah Ashton five from 12. Kiara Taylor accounted for all six of A DaCosta goals.

For the tournament, most outstanding goal-shooters were Phillips of Grantley Prescod and Lynch of Vauxhall. Four players were rewarded for their role at goal-attack and they were Spencer-Layne, Ciara Evelyn, Tiana Morris of Lawrence T Gay Memorial and Shania Thomas of Charles F. Broome Primary. The best wing-attack was Rianna Wiggins of West Terrace, Danika Smith of A DaCosta Edwards was adjudged the most outstanding center, best wing-defence honours went to Doneisha Gill of Half Moon Fort, the best goal-defence was Joanna Atkins of Vauxhall and Tamarah Hoyte was the best goalkeeper representing St Giles.

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Netballers qualify for Commonwealth Games

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Barbados senior netball team have qualified for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held in the Gold Coast, Australia, in March.

Their qualification comes as a result of recent excellent performances against quality teams. Between May and June this year, the Barbados team competed in three-test series against Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Northern Ireland to qualify them for the Games.

[caption id="attachment_208915" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Barbados senior netball team.[/caption]

They drew their series against Jamaica 1-1 in Jamaica with one tied.

They later competed against Trinidad and Tobago and won all three games. They then finished off their qualifying journey in Northern Ireland where they were able to win two out of their four matches. These results put them well on their way for the upcoming prestigious event and also to taking 11th position among the top 12 ranked teams in the world.

Assistant coach Adrian Craigwell said he was proud and elated to be a part of the programme.

“It shows that when players and coaches come together with an effective and cohesive programme, that results can be achieved,” Craigwell added.

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Wharton is star quality

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Shonica Wharton is making her name known in domestic, regional and international netball. And fans of the sport are taking note.

The younger of her mother's two daughters, 21-year-old Wharton has no fears whatsoever approaching the netball rings. Indeed, while some might be daunted by the stress of sporting activity, Wharton approaches the game as the hobby she loves most.

Wharton started playing netball from the tender age of eight when she saw her older sister Shanice Wharton playing the sport.

The former Graydon Sealy student started playing netball for Barbados at the age of fifteen when she made her first tour to the Regional U-16 Jean Pierre Tournament in 2011. Since then the tall, energetic shooter has been unstoppable.

[caption id="attachment_208956" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Shonica Wharton (with ball).[/caption]

Since her first tour to the Jean Pierre Tournament, she has been selected for several other netball tournaments including Commonwealth Games in 2014, Netball World Cup which was held at the time in Sydney, Australia in 2015 and the recently held U-21 World Youth Netball Championships in Gaborone, Botswana 2017.

“It's always a great feeling to be wearing your national colours and representing your country at whatever sport you might be playing,” she told Barbados TODAY.

The accurate shooter who was once a defender when she started playing, is ranked as Barbados's number one goal shooter. She described that accomplishment as a great feeling but added that sometimes all the pressure was on the person seen as the top shooter.

Her goal when she goes into every game is to always finish with no lower than a ninety-percent accuracy.

Her foundation was paved when she started playing with her aunt Monnette Wharton in Church Village before she moved on to the UWI Blackbirds Division 1 Club.

Asked how the sport impacted her life, the University of the West Indies student said playing the sport helped her make a lot of friends.

“I think I inspire a few little ones. It taught me that teamwork is very important and it's not all about you. It made me the person I am today, I've fallen in love with the sport.”

Wharton, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism Management, said her future plan for netball was to become a professional netballer and help give back to the sport she loves.

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Back seat

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The Barbados Netball Association (BNA) has its eyes focused on the bigger picture.

And it should not come as a surprise that the national senior netball team opted out of the Regional Netball Championships said BNA president, Nisha Craigwell, who is also second in command as vice president of the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA).

[caption id="attachment_210339" align="aligncenter" width="300"] President of the Barbados Netball Association,
Nisha Craigwell. (Picture by Morissa Lindsay)[/caption]

Both Jamaica and Barbados have pulled out of the regional netball tournament amid suspicions that they did so for fear of dropping their ranking positions if their lost games in the tournament. Both teams have already qualified for the Commonwealth Games next year in Australia. Qualification for the Games is based on rankings.

Since 1998 when netball was incorporated into the Commonwealth programme, Barbados has always qualified and Craigwell made it clear to Barbados TODAY that she did not intend under her watch for the ultra-marine, gold and black flag not to be represented at the Commonwealth Games next April in the Gold Coast, Australia.

Additionally, she explained that even though the association was cash-strapped, because netball was a Commonwealth sport, the Barbados Olympic Association would fund 98 percent of the cost for next year's games, which will reduce their burden significantly in that area.

And what will boost the senior Gems' chances even further is a chance to train on the newly constructed netball surface at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium currently under renovation but expected to open in time for CARIFESTA this month.

“I am so glad to hear the Minister [Stephen Lashley] saying that the Wildey Gymnasium is outfitted with a floor that is ready for netball. So I am hoping now that the gymnasium has been renovated, that we can get in there before March next year to actually begin practising on the floor. But outside of that we need competition before leaving for Commonwealth. I don't want a situation where we go to the Commonwealth Games and have not played any practice games,” Craigwell said.

The competition is catered to the top 12 teams in the world and Barbados gained qualification to the Commonwealth Games after they jumped two places higher in the International Netball Federation world rankings at position number 11. A few weeks ago the Bajan Gems pulled off thrilling victories against Trinidad and Tobago, who slipped two places down the rankings to position 13. The Gems also played outstandingly against Jamaica, the highest ranked Caribbean team at position number four in the world. Jamaica's Sunshine Girls were actually beaten for the very first time in 35 years by the Bajans in a three match series that ended 1-1.

Just before the cutoff date on July 1 to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, Barbados also played Northern Ireland to improve their rankings but lost twice. However, interestingly enough, Barbados with a tally of 100 are a point and one place below Ireland in tenth place with 101.

The regional netball championship, which has been non-existent for at least a decade, saw the withdrawal of powerhouses Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada and subsequently the postponement of the competition that was scheduled for August 20 to 26 in St Lucia.

Even though Craigwell declined to comment as vice president of CNA on those matters, she did say Barbados stated its position from the beginning.

“Barbados made it quite clear from the inception since March [of this year] that we could not commit fully even though we are expressing an interest to play [at the Caribbean Netball Championship] because holistically our finances, unless we had a Godfather that steps forward very early, we knew that it would have been a challenge for us. Of course if the finances were available we would not turn away any type of competition because we are normally competition starved and as long as we get the opportunity to play, we welcome it with open arms.

“For years we have been playing Jamaica and we were being beaten by Jamaica. This is the first time in 35 years that Barbados has ever beaten Jamaica. So it is not that we are running from the tournament, as I would have heard. It has nothing to do with revenge, nothing like that, from a financial point of view we simply did not have the money and we still don't have the money.

“Had it been scheduled prior to July 1, we would have make it but because it fell after July, we had to go elsewhere to seek competition in terms of playing. We would have had enough games because both Jamaica and Trinidad would have participated along with other countries that would have given us enough points to qualify and therefore we would not have had to seek competition elsewhere. But because the tournament fell in August, it does not matter as it relates to Commonwealth and we (BNA) had to make the wise decision to make sure that Barbados qualify,” Craigwell said.

On Tuesday Netball Jamaica said that they took the decision to withdraw from the tournament because it would be of little benefit to the country's netball programme, and there would be the potential loss of ranking points for the Sunshine Girls.

“The tournament would involve teams that have not yet attained rating points, and teams that currently hold less than 100 points. Consultations were also held with the players, coaching staff and the technical committee of Netball Jamaica.”

Netball Jamaica added: “The review presented revealed that participation would result in a loss of five rating points. Jamaica currently has a world ranking of fourth, which is based on a rating of 149. The country that is ranked third has a rating of 159, while the fifth ranked has attained a rating of 137.”

It was suggested that even if Jamaica won every match played during the regional tournament, it could still lose five rating points and widen the gap between itself and England, who are third in the world, to 15 points. At the same time, it would narrow the difference in rating points between Jamaica and South Africa currently ranked at fifth from 13 to eight.

But yesterday in a statement the International Netball Federation (INF) reiterated that winning a match always improved a team's ratings while losing to a team with a lower rating meant fewer points.

The INF stated that a team would get more points for beating an opponent with a high rating and fewer points for losing to a team with a low rating.

The federation outlined that only two factors contributed to ranking points - the result of the match and the opponent against whom the result was achieved. 

“No account is taken of margin of victory, venue, importance of the match, nor the winner of the series - all internationals are treated as stand-alone events.

“The impact of any win/loss on your ranking will depend on how your new rating compares with the ratings of the teams around you,” the INF added.

It further explained that: “If a team wins a match they will earn 50 points more than their opponent's rating. But if they lose, they will earn 50 points less than their opponent's rating.”

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First-class wins

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St Giles Primary played two games unbeaten today in the Kathy Harper-Hall/Agnes Crichlow Zone of the Pine Hill Dairy-sponsored National Sports Council’s Primary Schools Netball competition.

They along with Belmont Primary won two games at the Netball Stadium where six matches were played.

[caption id="attachment_161481" align="aligncenter" width="300"]St Giles Primary goal-attack Serena Edwards grabs another pass before going up to shoot against George Lamming. St Giles Primary goal-attack Serena Edwards grabs another pass before going up to shoot against George Lamming.[/caption]

It is still too early to pick which four teams will make it to the playoffs from that particular zone but former netball queens St Giles stamped their authority with a 10-2 win over George Lamming Primary who trailed 7-0 at half time.

Goal-attack Serena Edwards and goal-shooter Shemarla Wickham complimented each other well and they both netted five goals each from a combined 18 attempts. George Lamming goal-attack Tionce Waldron scored both goals for her school but did not receive much support.

[caption id="attachment_161482" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Deacons Primary goal-defence Shanya Agard (left) waits in anticipation of taking the ball. Deacons Primary goal-defence Shanya Agard (left) waits in anticipation of taking the ball.[/caption]

Deacons Primary also got a taste of defeat at the hands of St Giles Primary who led 6-1 at half time and eventually took the win 7-1. Credit must be given to Deacons who defended a lot better in the second half even though they were called for faulty footwork on a number of occasions.

Edwards in her role as goal-attack scored four from five and goal-shoot Wickham three of five. Nyrobi Alleyne at goal-attack for Deacons was spot on scoring two of two.

[caption id="attachment_161483" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Latavia Hazell-Codrington of Hindsbury Primary beat Crystal Tudor of Westbury Primary on the jump to catch the ball. Latavia Hazell-Codrington of Hindsbury Primary beat Crystal Tudor
of Westbury Primary on the jump to catch the ball.[/caption]

Belmont edged Deacons 2-1 in a low-scoring game. Goal-shooter Rihanna Wyre and Tia Spellen had one goal each while Deacons goal-attack Riya Grazette had the one goal for her school.

Hindsbury Primary became Belmont’s second victim when they lost 4-3. Goal-attack Spellen netted all four for Belmont. Hindsbury’s goal-shooter Mai Lynn Griffith scored three goals from six attempts.

[caption id="attachment_161480" align="aligncenter" width="300"]St Winifred’s goal-attack Emma Hodgkinson takes a good catch away from Kiokya Leacock of Lawrence T Gay Primary. St Winifred’s goal-attack Emma Hodgkinson takes a good catch away from Kiokya Leacock of Lawrence T Gay Primary.[/caption]

St Winifred’s gave Lawrence T Gay Primary a good run but in the end the Government school held on for a  3-2 win. Tianna Harris in her post as goal-attack netted two and goal-shoot Geneva Alleyne one. Scoring for St Winifred’s were goal-attack Emma Hodgkinson and goal-shooter Charlotte Howard with one goal each from a combined four attempts.

The post First-class wins appeared first on Barbados Today.

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