Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Netball team member Christina Solman making a presentation to Maurice Bryan of Digicel at the association's luncheon held at the Alhambra Inn, St. Andrew. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) has called on corporate Jamaica to get on board to supporting the development of netball in the country.

"This is a glorious opportunity to help young women realise their dreams because after the end of the World Championships in New Zealand, all of the girls committed to going forward to 2011 and in order for us to win the next championships, we are going to need a lot more support," Bernard told The Gleaner at a luncheon hosted by the JNA at Alhambra Inn yesterday.

The function was held to honour the Sunshine Girls' bronze medal finish at the World Netball Championships (WNC) in Auckland, New Zealand, last month. Jamaica defeated England 53-52 in the third place decider. Australia won the title after beating defending champions New Zealand 42-38 in the final.

"I would like to ask all of Jamaica and even the ordinary man in the street to come forward and support our programmes," Bernard pleaded. "The future of netball in this country looks very bright because we have girls that are committed to this country more than people really know, and we just have to be behind them so that they can realise their and our dream."

Costly

Bernard added that the JNA needs a lot of money because this World Championships cost nearly $10 million and with the dollar's steady slide, it is going to cost us a lot more by the next time they get to the World Youth Championships in 2009 and World Championships in 2011.

"Our nursery programmes have been going great for us because Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) have given us some serious injection of funds and we also have another sponsor on board with us, which provides us with juices and water," Bernard explained. "The talent is there because we have some very bright, tall young girls who are playing so the future looks very bright."

Received gifts

The Sunshine Girls were presented with gifts courtesy of sponsors Digicel, Berger Paints, GraceKennedy, Jamaica Beve-rages and Shirlhome Chemicals.

Former JNA president Molly Rhone, who is now the president of the International Federation of Netball Association, said she was delighted with the team's performance.

"I was happy that I was presenting the third place medals to Jamaica because the game was very close," said Rhone. "We went into the final period with a comfortable lead and then I saw it going down, and so I had some anxious moments during this time. But I am happy that they won."