Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Members of the Jamaica's Under-21 netball team show off some dance moves as part of their appreciation to their sponsors at the Alhambra Inn on Monday. More than 28 sponsors were part of the Jamaica Netball Association's 'Adopt-A-Player' programme. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
JAMAICA'S UNDER-21 netball team was fêted and given a chance to meet their sponsors at the Alhambra Inn on Monday before leaving for the World Youth Netball Championships which start on July 19 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The young Reggae Girls, ranked two in the world, displayed to the sponsors and family members, the various uniforms they will wear during the tournament.
The 12 girls paraded their black formal wear dresses with yellow blazers, the opening parade uniforms of black pants and gold t-shirts with the Jamaican flag in the middle. They also displayed their two different sets of playing gears plus sweatsuits in catwalk fashion.
Sharon Donaldson, president of the Jamaican Netball Association (JNA), thanked the 28 sponsors for assisting in coming up with the $4 million required to participate in the tournament through their 'Adopt a Player' programme.
SPECIAL THANKS
"Without them this wouldn't be possible. I would like to say a special thanks to everyone for making our life more bountiful," Donaldson told the small gathering.
She continued: "As I look back on the progress we have made, how could we achieve so much with so little? The informed answer is, with your support, with your support, your support".
The 'Adopt a Player' programme allows each sponsor to take care of a particular player, providing their accommodation, air-fare and visas at a cost of $160,000.
The young Reggae Girls placed second at the 2000 World Youth Championship in Wales after losing to Australia in the final and are confident of going one better.
Neekeesha Connolly, 20, the team's captain and wing defence, is confident of victory. "My team has been well prepared for this tournament and we know that when we get there we will do our best and come home victorious. Nothing less," Connolly said.
"We have strong Christian values and each one understands each other because we are a team and that's what a team does," she said.
