Barbados’ junior netballers returned yesterday from their most successful outing at a World Youth Championship determined to sustain their progress.
The warmth of the reception party from family, friends and fans lifted the gloomy weather conditions at Grantley Adams International Airport as proud coach Sandra Bruce-Small commended the squad for the admirable seventh placing at the tournament.
“Our initial objective was to place in the top two in the group to advance to the next round and to guarantee nothing less than eighth, which we achieved,”?she said.
“Unfortunately, our plans were disrupted due to an injury to the experienced Jeneice Clarke where she had to sit out the England game and which started our losses.”
The coach added that the following game against Australia, starter Shanice Rock was also ill and although Clarke played she was suffering from dizziness.
“Jeneice was loved by the host fans because of the fight and spectacular display she gave and the team was affected by her illness.
“Our players would have learnt at that level the game is played at a more aggressive state and that aggression of going after the ball is something which we need to complete the skill and fitness level of our players. Of course, our officials would have to be exposed to that type of officiating and game,” Bruce-Small added.
The coach also called for the setting up of a Caribbean Under-21 championship as she indicated that a big gap existed between Under-16 at the regional level and the senior competitions.
“We played against teams where the majority of the players were 20 and 21 which meant a vast difference in terms of skills and physical experience,” said Bruce-Small.
Both the coach and president of the Barbados Netball Association, Nisha Cummings, underscored the need for outside help to hone the innate skills of the players and more games against higher level opponents in order to prepare for international competitions.
“We recognize that the Barbados Olympic Association and the National Sports Council have to fund more teams and competitions than finances would permit, and thus we have to battle within our means to start preparing for the next World Youth in Africa in 2017, as well as the various outings for the senior team,” Cummings said.
“We are getting some invitations from European teams to train in their countries and that is the path we will have to explore. Although 13 teams are in our regional group, only Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are ranked higher than us, so it would be meaningless to be touring within our region to play weaker opponents,” she added.
Cummins also made the call for an indoor facility for netball since the international game was not only being played indoors but an artificial court was placed over the wooden floor in Glasgow which was a new experience for the Barbados team.
Captain Rieah Holder expressed pride in the performance of her team and she welcomed the chance to further develop her game as she pushes to retain a spot on the senior national team.
Six-footer Shonica Wharton is the sole player who will be eligible for the next championship in Botswana in 2017. She was confident that her experience in Scotland would help the team then.