Netball Jamaica launches ‘Small-Change, Big Difference’ World Cup campaign
Published:Sunday | March 20, 2022 | 12:12 AMRobert Bailey - Gleaner Writer
NETBALL JAMAICA (NJ) has officially launched its road to South Africa Netball World Cup (NWC) fundraising campaign as they seek more than $50 million to assist the Sunshine Girls in their preparation for the championships.
Tricia Robinson, president of NJ is urging support for the Sunshine Girls and for their ‘Small-Change, Big Difference’ campaign.
“We are behind on court time and participation in international games and we have a year and change to be ready for the World Cup, and so we need all the support that we can get from everyone,” said Robinson.
“Jamaica is a small island and we are always in need of resources, and our girls, they work and they go to school and they still manage to maintain a ranking in the top five in the world,” she said.
“Imagine ,if it is that they didn’t have to work and they were able to participate in netball full-time, what a difference it would make. And so your contribution will go a far way in getting us the resources that we need,” Robinson said.
The Sunshine Girls, who are ranked fourth in the world, finished a disappointing fifth in the last Netball World Cup tournament in Liverpool, England, in 2019.
The 2023 NWC will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from July 28 to August 6.
The NJ boss pointed out that the Sunshine Girls have regrouped and they are now looking forward to a podium finish in 2023.
“We need equipment, we need a technical director on board, and we have other programmes that we need to get going. And so your contribution to our Jamaicans will go a far way in assisting us in getting the girls fully prepared and to win a medal at the World Championships,” Robinson stated.
DESPERATE NEED OF SUPPORT
Jennifer Headlam, NJ second vice-president and head of the organisation’s fundraising committee, said the Sunshine Girls are desperately in need of all the support that they can get, in order for them to do well at next year’s NWC.
“Jamaica has always been a netball country and we have thousands of friends of netball all over the world, and this is an opportunity for them to give back to the sport that continues to do so much for women and girls in Jamaica,” said Headlam.
“The main thrust is to get the Sunshine Girls to the World Cup in South Africa because, when the Sunshine Girls play and we are successful, everybody benefits,” she said.
“The country benefits, individuals benefit, and tourism benefits, and so I am just asking persons to come support and donate to the Sunshine Girls in our campaign to get to South Africa,” Headlam reasoned.
Persons wishing to make donations can contact NJ at fundraising@netballjamaica.com.jm or at 876-872-7191 for more details.