Corinaldi Primary claim Under-12 netball title

Corinaldi Avenue Primary School added yet another pleasing chapter to its perennial dominance of junior netball in St James last Friday when they emerged champions of the 2015 St James Netball Association/Burger King Primary Schools Under-12 Netball Competition.

In the championship game, which they dominated from start to finish, the Corinaldi Avenue aggregation easily dismissed the challenge of Chetwood Primary 14-5. In the play-off for third place, which preceded the final, Howard Cooke Primary upstaged Anchovy Primary 15-12 in an epic contest.

The month-long contest, which turned out to be a perfect advertisement for the development of junior netball in St James, proved satisfying to Garth Sommerville, the regional district manager at first-time sponsors Burger King.

heart-warming results

"As you know, this is our first time sponsoring this competition, and to see the results, the poise, and great attitude of these student athletes is most warming. We at Burger King are delighted to be associated with St James Under-12 netball," Sommerville said. "It is heartening to see the quality players coming through, and, of course, many of them are going straight into the high-school system and will only get stronger and better."

In the much-anticipated final, the Corinaldi team, the most successful outfit in the annals of junior netball in St James, took charge from the opening centre pass as they romped to a 5-2 first-quarter lead. They never allowed Chetwood back into the games as with their outstanding goal defence, Tonishea Wharp, standing tall in defence of their goal they gave up a mere two goals in the last three-quarters of the game.

"While the final was somewhat one-sided, I must congratulate both teams for making it a wonderful season," said Gina Haughton, the interim president of the St James Netball Association. "While you might not be able to win every single game, you can always give of your best in every game ... . The young ladies did that, and that is reason enough to be proud of them."

In the presentation ceremony, which followed the game, Wharp copped the Most Valuable Player award for the final for her exceptional handling of her defensive duties. In addition to the trophy, she pocketed a gift voucher valued at $2,500.

Anchovy Primary School was selected the Most Disciplined Team, while Kiara Bowen of Corinaldi Avenue walked away with the Top Goal-Scorer Award for her season-high 49 goals.

"We could not have asked for more than what we have been treated to," remarked a satisfied Sommerville. "We hope to be part of the growth of this competition as we try to build the sport and give back to our children in a positive and dynamic way."