The Guyana Netball Association (GNA) will be introducing an under-23 category with an inaugural tournament scheduled to begin tomorrow at the National Gymnasium from 5pm.
The staging of the under-23 competition which ends on Monday will afford the GNA affiliates the opportunity of participating in another competition in addition to the open and 16-and-under categories held annually.
The event is expected to feature five teams competing in a round robin competition format.
The five clubs are the Emanie Netball Club, the All Star Netball Club, Rim Rockz Netball Club, Doves Netball Club from New Amsterdam, and Fearless Flyers from Essequibo.
The opening night will feature a single match between Emanie and the RimRockerz. This will be followed by four matches on Saturday, three on Sunday and the final two matches on Monday.
According to a few netball coaches, the new category will bring an improvement to the sport.
Lawrence Kellman, coach of Fearless Flyers, stated that in addition to the relief of having another set of competitions, the additional level would also play a vast role in the development of the sport as it will provide a much needed intermediate category between the 16-and-under and the open categories.
Kellman stated that the additional echelon will aid those players who are transitioning from the 16-and-under category to the open category.
Kellman also explained that it would “bring out” those who would’ve left the 16-and-under category but were not ready for the open category, and the level of competition required there.
“In my opinion I think that it will bring out the kids who would’ve left the under-16 category. Persons who cannot participate in the 16-and-under category,” Kellman stated.
“The people who would have moved off from the under-16 stage they would have been stagnated competing in the open category, and now they would get a chance to be active.”
Tonia Stuart, coach of the Rim Rockerz, stated that she was indeed happy about the new improvement to the predominantly female sport. Stuart stated that it would be a relief to the 16-and-under category players since they could improve themselves somewhat more before jumping into the stature of the open category competition.
“It would give the young ladies an opportunity to participate in another competition, and it gives the players several opportunities to develop more.
“It would help the games to develop more. So that when they get to the open category they would’ve had time to improve more.”
Meanwhile, Emanie’s coach, Lavern Fraser-Thomas, stated that she and her team were eagerly looking forward to the competition, not only because of the introduction of the new category but because this event will mark Emanie’s return to competitive netball after a two-year suspension.
Fraser–Thomas related that before their suspension her club was the top ranked club and her wards have been vigorously preparing to return and reclaim their position.
“Emanie has not played competitive netball for two years because we were suspended, and before our suspension we were unbeaten at all levels so we are coming to reclaim,” Fraser-Thomas declared.
