NJ: Insurance settlements not enough to purchase a bus

President of Netball Jamaica (NJ), Tricia Robinson, says her association is very close to receiving settlements from two insurance companies to replace one of two stolen buses.

Robinson told The Gleaner that NJ could receive both insurance settlements from their respective insurance companies early next week.

“We are in the final stages of receiving the insurance money for both buses and so we are just finalising some paperwork now,” said Robinson.

“I am optimistic because it will go towards the purchase of a replacement bus. Everything is a lesson and so we have learnt from this and we will move forward,” she said.

The vehicles were reportedly stripped of their decals before being stolen on August 15, 2021.

The vehicles, which were used for transportation to training sessions and matches, were removed from Netball House, the national team’s base in Barbican, St Andrew. One of the buses had been donated by the Jamaica Public Service, and the other by FLOW, and both were comprehensively insured.

The NJ boss indicated that the money that they are scheduled to receive from both settlements will not be sufficient to purchase a bus and therefore they will be seeking financial assistance from corporate Jamaica.

“We are looking to corporate Jamaica for additional support to help with the purchase of a bus,” said Robinson.

“The money that we will be getting won’t be sufficient to purchase a new bus. Over the next 18 months, we will be having a packed calendar because we have the Caribbean Games for the Under-23 team and so we need a bus,” she said.

“We also have Commonwealth Games for the seniors right after and we have the FAST5 later in the year and so we will be very busy and we need all the support that we can get and all the support in getting those resources on board,” Robinson stated.