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Robinson calls for resumption of local netball

Published:Wednesday | January 20, 2021 | 12:18 AM
Kingston Hummingbirds’ Mellisa Wright (left) and Suzette Case from the Clarendon Gaters challenge for the ball during a Berger Elite Netball match at Leila Robinson Courts on Friday, April 17, 2015. 
Gaters won 32-31.
Kingston Hummingbirds’ Mellisa Wright (left) and Suzette Case from the Clarendon Gaters challenge for the ball during a Berger Elite Netball match at Leila Robinson Courts on Friday, April 17, 2015. Gaters won 32-31.

Netball Jamaica president, Tricia Robinson, said it is important that local competitions resume early this year, so that the local-based members of the Sunshine Girls can remain active and sharp.

The Sunshine Girls last played competitively in January 2020, in the Vitality Nations Cup tournament with England, New Zealand and South Africa in England, and they are not due to play again until November.

Robinson pointed out that while the overseas-based players are assured of competition and should remain in peak condition, the local girls will need the resumption of domestic leagues in order to remain competitive at the international level.

“Round about now is when our local leagues would be going on, so in terms of the players for the national team, we have to keep them active,” Robinson said. “We have girls in England, we have girls in Australia, so the local ones, we have to have them in training and they resume training on February 1.

“Naturally, we would love to have our leagues running, as it would be better for our national players,” added Robinson.

The Sunshine Girls’ next outing is against South Africa in November, however, the Under-21 team is due to compete in the Youth World Cup in Fiji in December, and with the majority of that squad based locally, Robinson underscored the importance of getting the young Sunshine Girls back on the court in competitive action.

“We are also preparing the Under-21s. They should be out (training) on February 22, they are now undergoing their COVID-19 tests. But competition is critical as they are preparing for their World Cup in December,” said Robinson.

She further pointed out that the cancellation of the recent Sunshine Girls Tour of England, had dampened the spirit of the girls, who have been in intense training since June without competition.

“The girls got a little break, they will start back on the first of February whether they are playing league or not. They will get three weeks break, so they can refresh and start again, as we plan to keep them busy and active,” said Robinson.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com