Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
MOLLY RHONE was on Wednesday reelected president of the world's governing body for netball, the International Federation of Netball Association (IFNA).
Rhone, who served as president of the Jamaica Netball Association for 10 years between 1993 and 2003, was returned un-opposed at IFNA's biennial congress held in Florida. She will now serve as president until the next general congress in 2007.
Rhone and Bernard were given nods of approval in July 2003 when the congress was held here in Jamaica. Bernard was returned to the post while Rhone, who was a vice-president in the Sheryl Dawson-led administration, held off the challenge of Australian Pam Smith to get the top job.
VETERAN
A veteran of two World Netball Championships, Rhone has served as captain of Jamaica's all-schools netball team, the country's Under-21 team, Under-23 and vice-captain of the national team.
In recognition of her service to the sport, Rhone was in 1999 accorded the Order of Distinction (OD) Officer Class by the government of Jamaica.
The highlight of her two-year reign was her gallant attempt to narrow the disparity between the top and bottom teams in the world. Rhone has gone about this by soliciting the services of expertise from around the top countries to aid in umpiring and coaching in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Marva Bernard was also re-elected to the post of financial controller. Bernard won her third term in that job.
When The Gleaner spoke with Rhone in Miami yesterday, she described her re-election as "an honour".
"I am now given given the chance to continue what I had started," Rhone said of her 2003 platform which was based on the growth and development of the sport worldwide.
"I think everybody has bought into that and I am very thankful they did. Everybody seems pleased with the new structure we have put in place and I am really happy they had faith in what I am doing," she said.
