The Guyana Netball Association (GNA) is to send a team to the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Jean Pierre Youth (Under-16) championships in Jamaica.
This was one of the decisions that was arrived at when the GNA’s held its first meeting for the year Wednesday a release from the organization stated.
It was also disclosed that the team is already undergoing intensive training under coach Lawrence Kellman and manager Shondell Samaroo.
Training sessions are being conducted at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) for the tournament which will be held in Jamaica from April 22-30.
Teams have until February 15 to indicate their willingness to participate and there is a penalty for those teams who indicate their willingness to participate and then withdraw at the last moment.
The GNA said it has received favourable responses from a reputable commercial bank and a shipping magnate respectively while other businesses have pledged their support.
The GNA will focus on Buxton, Kwakwani and Linden with a view towards re-introducing the sport in those areas.
Eight schools, Queen’s College, St. Stanislaus College, East Ruimveldt, Campbelville and Nehemiah Comprehensive Secondary and St. Joseph’s High along with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the Guyana Educational Trust, have been identified for a pilot project.
In addition, two teachers from each school will be identified to be trained as coaches for their respective schools.
The GNA also plans to increase its membership and will be approaching former clubs such as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Flames and Emanie of Berbice.
They also plan on approaching the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service as well as the Bank of Guyana with an invitation to join the association, even opting to supply the coaches.
“We intend to vigorously uplift the standard of coaching and umpiring by conducting courses. A number of coaches have indicated their willingness to visit Guyana to assist and we are pursuing same, looking keenly on our budgeted allocation.
“Ms. Kathy Harper Hall, president of CNA is expected in the country soon to conduct her Healthy Lifestyle Programme and we are looking to incorporate her to do the coaching course and umpiring examinations at the same time.”
Meanwhile, the GNA intends to approach the Government and the Mayor and City Council for assistance to develop netball courts, with the aim of hosting international matches and tournaments.
In the interim, they will be using the National Park tarmac for friendly international matches but the surface has to be resurfaced and to that effect they will be approaching the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for their input so at least three courts could be installed there.
A quarterly or monthly newsletter is also on their list of activities, along with contact with all past netball players who are available.
GNA feels that their expertise and experience could be tapped to assist the forward thrust and if for some reason they have missed a past player, they are asking such persons to make contact with them.
Fund raising activities are on the agenda also and this will be intensified. A take-away lunch was held on February 1 at the National Gymnasium while a raffle is expected to be drawn in April and a food bar will be erected on Mash Day.
