New netball association launched in Hanover

WESTERN BUREAU:

The parish of Hanover has joined the list of parishes with active netball associations following last week’s launch of Netball Hanover, which is to become the umbrella body for the sport in the parish.

“Netball Hanover’s mission is to create opportunities for young women, through the development of netball in the parish, while our mission is to empower and uplift the young women through netball,” said Dr Maureen Nelson, the vice chairman of the newly minted association.

The launch featured a one-day netball rally at Watson Taylor Park. The rally, which was contested by students from six primary schools and one high school in the parish, fitted neatly into the initial objective of the association which will start their ambitious mission to push netball in the parish by initially focusing on youngsters in the 12- to 13-year-old age group.

“This long-awaited initiative was the result of years of dedicated planning, collaboration and community engagement by local sport enthusiasts, coaches, umpires and former netball players in Hanover,” said Nelson, who noted that the plans for the association came into being in March 2023 and was being fine-tuned since.

According to vice chairman Nelson, an interim body was first established with Dr Garth Sommerville as chairman. The other members were Cecile Hall, treasurer; Racquel Frame, secretary; Cavelle Goslin, competition coordinator and Patricia Morgan-Symester, Denise Hudson, Karen Miller and Ian Walker as executive members.

To ensure that they are on the right track in the planning and execution of their various programmes, Netball Hanover has engaged former Netball Jamaica board member Janet Johnson as an advisor to the association.

In addition to its netball development mandate, Nelson said the association intends to create a vibrant Hanover community that will enhance sports skills while promoting social connections among residents of the parish and beyond.

The birth of the association has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Skills Youth and Information Region 4, and according to Dr Michele Pinnock, who heads the region, sports is critical to the development of the nation’s children.

“This initiative highlights the critical role of sports in developing not just physical fitness, but teamwork, discipline and resilience among our children,” said Pinnock. “Beyond the courts it (netball) teaches life skills, communication, strategy and sportsmanship that will serve them well throughout their lives.”

In giving the new association her blessing, Tricia Robinson, the president of Netball Jamaica, said the launch is a statement of commitment to the future of netball in Hanover.

“Netball has proven to be not just a sport, but a movement, a platform for empowerment, opportunity and unity,” said Robinson “Hanover has always contributed to the national success of the sport through several national players that originated in this parish. This launch is a signal of a renewed focus on unearthing the potential that resides in the parish.”