Jamaican netballers dominated the court on the first day of the netball tournament. They won Scotland 44-18. The ladies on the team, as well as the organising body, were praised for jobs well done.

Published Thursday, December 31, 1970

Jamaica beat Scotland in world tourney opener

Appeal for more young people to play netball

Gleaner Sports Editor

THE lhird World Netball Tournament was opened in a colourful ceremony at the National Stadium courts yesterday afternoon with an appeal to the young people of Jamaica to participate more in netball, especially in the rural areas.

Making an appearance was Youth and Development Minister Hon Allan Douglas, who declared the tournament open, with the hope that it will be a very great success.

Then later on in the afternoon, before over 1,000 spectators, Jamaica gave a dazzling display of speed, ball handling and coordination to down Scotland 44-18 in the only match of the afternoon. There will be four games today.

Representatives from the nine competing countries and delegates from six others, who are here for the council meeting of the International Federation of Women’s Bureau and Netball Associations, presented a picturesque scene as they marched on to the courts to music from the Jamaica Military Band.

From the green and yellow of the Australians to the brilliant red and white of England and Wales, to the black of the New Zealanders, the green and light blue of The Bahamas, and the yellow and black of Jamaica, the scene was exquisitely colourful.

And among the flag poised adorning the entrance of the courts was the flag of the international body and those of the 17 members of the federation presented another beautiful picture with their varied and bright colours as they fluttered in the afternoon breeze.

Douglas, accompanied by the chairman of the organising committee for the tournament, Mr Abe Issa, and the president of the International Federation of Women’s Basketball and Netball Associations, Miss Rena Stratford, was introduced to senior officials of the various delegations in the order in which they were lined up on the courts - first Australia, then The Bahamas, Dominica England, Grenada, Guyana, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Nigeria, Scotland, Singapore, St Lucia, Trinidad, Wales, and Jamaica.

New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Trinidad, The Bahamas and Jamaica are competing in the tournament.

Representatives of the other six countries are only here for the council meetings of the world body.

Before the tournament was declared open by Mr Douglas, Mr Issa welcomed all the visiting delegations, assuring them of the usual warm Jamaica hospitality which is even more pronounced at this time of the year. He expressed his hopes that their stay would be rewarding and  an enjoyable experience for them.

Tributes to the organising committee came from Miss Stratford, who called on members of all delegations to give three cheers to those who had worked so hard to make the tournament possible, “We in netball are determined,” she said “to show the sporting world that we can keep our vow, which is to compete with goodwill and understanding in the true spirit of sportsmanship.”

Welcome on behalf of the Government was extended by Mr Douglas, who expressed the pride and honour Jamaicans felt in being given the opportunity to stage a world tournament. He joined Miss Strafford in commending the members of the organising committee for their work.

Tribute

“I wish to pay tribute, too, to the zeal and dedication of the members of the Jamaica Netball Association, with a special word for its president, Miss Leila Robinson. I make bold to say that had it not been for her, it is more than likely that this tournament would not be taking place in Jamaica.” Here, Mr Douglas congratulated Miss Robinson on being awarded the Order of Distinction  and hoped for her the continued good work for sports, and netball in particular.

Speaking on the popularity of netball both locally and internationally, Mr Douglas said he saw the World Tournament more like a family occasion than a contest with bitter rivalry. “The sting of national rivalry is softened by the pleasure and satisfaction which the spectators and participants feel as they witness great performances,” he said.

Relating the staging of the tournament to the future of netball here, Mr Douglas said he hoped it would be a means of encouraging and stimulating interest in netball. “It is hoped that many more schools will encourage the playing of this game. And it is my further hope that many more of our young people, especially in the rural areas, will find time to participate in this healthy and stimulating exercise and enjoyment.”

Today’s four matches are England vs The Bahamas, Jamaica vs Australia, Trinidad vs Wales, and defending champions New Zealand vs Northern Ireland.

All matches will be played on the four newly laid courts at the stadium.

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