The initiative of Netball Jamaica called “Netball pan di kanha” had a successful launch on Monday December 23rd 2013 at the Pembroke Hall Multi-Purpose Court. The event is designed to take the national team into the communities so that people can connect with the players and also to inspire future talents.
The initiative of Netball Jamaica called “Netball pan di kanha” had a successful launch on Monday December 23rd 2013 at the Pembroke Hall Multi-Purpose Court. The event is designed to take the national team into the communities so that people can connect with the players and also to inspire future talents.
Many members of the community packed inside the complex and some stood and watched through the surrounding chain link fences as the Sunshine Girls were put through their paces.
Also on hand to watch the training session was Member of Parliament Derrick Smith and his wife. MP Smith admitted that he had never had the pleasure of watching the Girls play live before and had been restricted to watching them on television like so many other Jamaicans.
“I must admit that I have never seen the Girls play before, but I am happy for the opportunity to do so tonight. I am overwhelmed. I wish them all the best in their Tri-Nation Series next year and I am sure they will do well in the cold.”
The Girls had their regular training session which consisted of a number of drills conducted by head coach Oberon Pitterson- Nattie and members of her coaching staff. This was followed by an exhibition game between the Girls and the Pembroke Hall Netball team.
Expectedly, the Girls overran the very nervous Pembroke Hall team but it was a fantastic opportunity for the young players to rub shoulders with their idols during the 20 minutes game. At the end of the game members of the team posed with the eager members of the Pembroke Hall team who were both excited and happy to have their pictures taken with their role models.
The event which was being promoted as a “family affair” turned out to be just that for one family in particular. Sisters, Brithney McKenzie and Kaylea-Ashley McKenzie along with their cousin Tiffanie Williams all played for the Pembroke Hall team during the game while their mothers watched on nervously and excitedly from the sidelines.
A beaming Sophia Howell, mother of the McKenzie sisters, spoke of her joy at watching her girls play against their heroes.
“I am the proudest mother on the planet tonight. To see my two daughters and niece play with the Sunshine Girls is a blessing. I am so happy for this initiative and that it started here in our community, in Pembroke Hall. My daughters and my niece are truly inspired and I am sure that this same thing, replicated throughout the country, will have a similar effect where ever they go. Netball Jamaica has struck gold.”
Kaylea- Asley recently captained the Our Lady of the Angels Prep School netball team to their first title in the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Netball Championships.
Kerry Smith, coach of the Pembroke Hall team spoke of how much the game meant to his players, saying “It means a lot to the community and to the team. The experience will go a far way. Some of them couldn’t sleep last night because they were so excited to be playing against the Sunshine Girls.
“Now they will be able to say that they played against the Sunshine Girls. This will definitely inspire the team and the community as a whole.”
A presentation of two netballs and a rule book each, was made to the coaches of the Pembroke Hall and Marverly teams.
The Sunshine Girls will continue their preparations for the Tri-nation Series next January in England, which will also feature New Zealand. The tournament will run from January 17th – 21st with matches being played at the Wembley and Cooper Box Arenas.
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