BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados’ netball coach Alwyn Babb has quit the post ahead of next July’s World Netball Championships in Singapore, citing conflict with newly-elected president Juanita Cordle.
Babb recently led Barbados to the Commonwealth Games in India last October where they finished seventh, the best-ever performance at the showpiece.
However, with Cordle’s election as Barbados Netball Association head last Thursday, Babb said he could no longer continue in the position.
“In my first meeting with the board as senior coach, the elected president (Cordle) who was then vice-president and national teams’ coordinator, made it quite clear to me in the presence of those members who were there that she would never support my selection as national coach,” Babb told the Saturday Sun newspaper here.
“So having been selected as president, I thought it was in her best interest to have persons around her she can work with and to give them enough time to plan for the upcoming tours, so I resigned immediately.”
Cordle defeated the incumbent Octavia Gibson 26-23 at the annual general meeting held at the National Stadium, just outside the city here.
In an election that saw sweeping changes to the executive, secretary treasurer Michelle Lorde was the only member to retain her post.
A former national player, Cordle’s elevation also sparked a fall-out among the executive. Secretary Alicia Jemmott and treasurer Daisy Browne, who had been nominated unopposed, withdrew their names following her election.
Babb, who had been in charge for almost a year, said he was pleased with what he had accomplished during his tenure.
“I believe that my resignation will be to the satisfaction of some netball coaches, but I resigned knowing that in less than a year, I was able to improve the sport somewhat,” he said.
“I saw the enthusiasm return to the players at national training and as far as the squad was concerned, that integrity had returned to the selection process, minus the favouritism.”
The BNA is now expected to launch a search for Babb’s replacement.
Barbados will contest the July 3-10 Games in Group D alongside England, Malawi and Malaysia.
