Perennial bridesmaids Barbados are hoping to go one place up and finally lift the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Jean Pierre Under-16 Netball Tournament this year in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Since the tournament started in 1998, Barbados have been second on six occasions. They’ve been third twice and the lone victory came in 2005.
The most recent low point was in 2008 when they were fourth overall and, coach Julie Phillips was given one year to turn the performance around. They have been second for the past three years.
Assistant coach Tracey Leacock told MIDWEEK SPORT it was up to the girls if they wanted to reach the top.
“We do as much as we can do and we want the girls to understand we have been playing bridesmaids for so long and we believe that this year can be our year, having the girls returning.
“That is a very experienced side, so they know what to expect but they have to make the effort and put in the extra work where they see fit and we can rise to the top,” Leacock said.
Seven players from last year’s team are returning, and Leacock said preparations for the tournament, which starts today and runs until April 20, went well since they started in August last year.
With the clock counting down to the start, Leacock said they would use a series of practice matches to put what the girls have been learning into game situations.
The team played against the Under-21 squad on Tuesday evening and won that game.
“Fortunately for us, we have a very strong attacking side. Our shooters are returning from last year with Shonica Wharton, who was the most accurate shooter in the tournament last year, and she is much more agile this year.
“Sheniqua [Thomas] was an outstanding goal attack, and throughout the team, we pretty much have an entire team returning. So, we are quite confident. The strength is there and the experience is there,” Leacock noted.
The assistant coach said the team didn’t have many weak areas, but the on-court synergy was cause for concern. The management team is hoping that these practice matches can bring it all together prior to their departure.
“We will not be complacent. We are going in and we are going to fight from beginning to end,” Leacock said.
