Pickney Netball celebrates crowdfunding success

Approximately 100 children will have a chance to explore a future in netball, as Pickney Netball accomplished its funding target of US$7,100 on the ISupportJamaica crowdfunding platform, operated by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS).

The programme, an initiative of Netball Jamaica, seeks to introduce youngsters between the ages of three to six years old to the sport. They will be taught basic skills; learn to develop their appreciation for the rules of the game; and, thereby, influence more participation in the sport from an early age.

Cora Ricketts, second vice-president of Netball Jamaica, expressed great enthusiasm about the prospects for the programme after it achieved its funding target via the unconventional route of the JN crowdfunding platform.

"The funds raised will be used to implement a trainee programme for coaches and umpires, to ensure that they can deliver the most appropriate training methods for youngsters," explained Ricketts.

RANGE OF SKILLS

She pointed out that coaches and umpires will need to learn the different skills and methods used to teach children in a manner which will allow them to appreciate the sport, love the sport, and acquire full understanding about the rules of the game.

"At three to six years, the rules are different; and, therefore, coaches need to be knowledgeable to guide the children on the court," Ricketts indicated.

Now in its third year in Kingston, Pickney Netball will be expanded to include Montego Bay in September 2016, based on the positive reception that the programme has received from teachers and parents. The present participants are basic, primary and preparatory schools students, who are being taught as part of their school's extra-curricular programme.

LONG-TERM GOAL

In terms of their future in the sport, Ricketts maintains that the overall long-term goal is to use Pickney Netball as the beginning to a rewarding future in the sport.

"It is our hope that by participating in this programme youngsters will continue to other levels; and ultimately emerge in our senior programme. We want them to acquire an instinctive awareness about the sport; and be able to see themselves becoming national players," Miss Ricketts stated.

In the meantime, Phillip Lindsay, ISupport Jamaica officer, cited Pickney Jamaica as a programme implemented and driven with a vision for the growth and recognition of netball, at all levels, in Jamaica.

"We at Jamaica National commend Netball Jamaica for bringing to life one of the core objectives of the ISupport Jamaica platform, which is to build Jamaican funding initiatives, one project at a time," Lindsay stated.