Bernard uninterested in INF presidency

Former president of Netball Jamaica (NJ), Marva Bernard, says she no intention of contesting the election for president of the International Netball Federation (INF) when her countrywoman Molly Rhone demits office next July.

Bernard, who was recently elected president of Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA), served 12 years as director of finance at INF under Rhone before demitting office in 2011.

Bernard told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday that she has no desire to lead the world governing body for netball, because her main focus now is building the regional body.

"I have absolutely no interest in it," said Bernard. "I have only recently been elected to be a regional representative on the INF board and come at the end of Mrs Rhone's tenure next year, God's willing, I will sit on the INF board as the Americas Federation regional representative. So that is enough for me to handle, plus the role of president of the region," Bernard said.

"I don't have the aspirations to lead the world body. I will have my hands full trying to manage and lead this region, which I am hoping to expand its memberships, so I don't have the time and desire to be the one that replaces Mrs Rhone. I must thank all the people that think I can and for the confidence in me," she said.

Bernard added that she does not believe that another Jamaican will replace Rhone, when she steps down next year.

"It won't happens now, and so, eventually yes, I would love to see another Jamaican at the helm but realistically, it won't happen that another Jamaican will succeed Mrs Rhone - not right in this point in time next year," Bernard said.

"I don't have any ideas as to who the candidates might be, because I think people are keeping their aspirations close to their chest," she pointed out.