Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Digicel promotions and sponsorship manager, Maurice Bryan, greets president of the Jamaica Netball Association, Marva Bernard (right), at a press conference at the National Stadium yesterday. Looking on are Jill McIntosh (left), retired senior coach of the Australian team, and Molly Rhone, president of the International Federation of Netball Associations. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

DEFEATED FOR the first time ever at last year's Caribbean Championships, the young Sunshine Girls' quest for redemption at this year's tournament has been bolstered by $5 million worth of sponsorship for themselves and the senior team from telecommunications giant, Digicel.

The deal, announced at a press conference at the National Stadium yesterday, will span a three-year period and has been aimed towards the development of both teams.

One million dollars of the contract will immediately go towards bank-rolling the cost of the Under-16 team's participation at the Caribbean Championships which begin on November 23.

"I commend the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) for its continued dedication in developing and guiding young talent," said Maurice Bryan, Digicel's promotions and sponsorship manager.

Corporate responsibility

"We, however, see their success as not just the responsibility of the teams and the association, but also as a part of our corporate responsibility," added Bryan, who also saw the company enter into a three-year, $3.5 million sponsorship agreement with the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association last month.

About $2.5 million of the deal will provide a part of the $9 million that it will take to fund the Sunshine Girls as they look to participate in the World Championships in Fiji from July 10-21 next year.

The rest of the sponsorship will go towards the continued development of the sport at the local level. President of the JNA, Marva Bernard, said: "We are grateful for the support provided by Digicel, who have come on board for the journey at the first step. We hope other corporate sponsors will follow suit.

"The talent has always been there, but we have lacked the financial support. Rising to the very top of the game will not only take lots of time, but lots of money," she said."

Jamaica are currently third in the world rankings.