NJ still in shock after sudden death of second VP

Wayne Lewis, a director of Netball Jamaica (NJ), says that the board is still in shock following the sudden death of its second vice-president Cora Ricketts on Sunday at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

"She had a heart condition and was rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies on Saturday and was scheduled for surgery on Sunday. We had a board meeting and spoke to her by phone and prayed," Lewis told The Gleaner yesterday.

"The president (Dr Paula Daley-Morris) visited her last Saturday and everything was fine. She was very positive going into the operation. When we got news of her passing on Sunday evening it was out of this world. We were totally stunned. Netball Jamaica is worst off for her passing," he expressed.

"Cora was a stabilising force, a peacemaker. Her personality was great. She was very calm and collective. A very bright and successful woman," said Lewis.

Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) were also deeply saddened by the death of Ricketts.

"With Cora's untimely departure, the netball fraternity in Jamaica has lost a stalwart in the administration of the sport, someone who was totally dedicated to the advancement of netball and who served well on the Board of Netball Jamaica," the Minister said.

The Sports Minister offered condolences to the family, relatives, friends and associates of Ms. Ricketts as well as to the president and Board of Netball Jamaica.

In a release the JFF said: "The Jamaica Football Federation regrets the passing of sports stalwart, Cora Ricketts.

"She was a reliable, passionate, knowledgeable and outspoken supporter of football and worked tirelessly at many of the national team matches as an usher and in other capacities.

"The JFF is deeply saddened at her sudden passing and expresses condolences to her family, close friends, the netball and sporting fraternity in general."