Dalton Myers | No quick fix for Jamaican netball

I am lost for words to describe the current state of netball in Jamaica. Each time I think it will get better, it tends to take a sharp dive south. There are accusations, and counter-accusations; division among players, administrators, coaches, selectors, et cetera. It just keeps getting worse. You are almost even afraid to celebrate the most recent successful negotiation between the fractions because you know trouble could be around the corner.

So you can understand my cautious optimism surrounding Netball Jamaica’s (NJ) latest communiqué suggesting that all is now well in the netball fraternity. For now, I will take it at face value and hope that we can support coach Connie Francis on her return to that position. I personally like Francis as a coach and as a person. She seems to be technically savvy, a disciplinarian, and a no-nonsense coach. So given time, she will do well. Her first job will be to condition the team for the upcoming series in England. She will have to do so without Vangelee Williams and Romelda Aiken, who are currently unavailable for varying reasons, but I think she has enough tools to start the rebuilding process.

I want to let Netball Jamaica know that they have a big problem ahead of them. No, I’m not taking about the impending change of leadership, or lack of funds, but rather the effects from the lack of a well-structured youth programme. I would hope we are not solely relying on the high-school system to produce and develop these talents. In fact, if NJ wants to have a future successful senior team, then there needs to be urgent focus on Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 programmes to try and unearth the next set of talented players. If you look at the current crop of senior players, most have been playing together from maybe the Under-15 level for Jamaica.

We cannot keep relying on this crop of players to take us into the future. The other issue is that we need to start identifying the next set of leaders. I am not suggesting that there’s no leadership in the current camp but rather saying that we should already be identifying those ladies who will make the transition as not just great players but leaders who can command and demand the respect of their peers as well as the board, selectors and officials. We are not seeing who those next set of players are.

I’ve repeatedly said that the next election will not automatically solve NJ’s problems; it will take time as a house divided cannot stand. My other suggestion is that Netball Jamaica frequently engage the players in a structured way that seeks to find ways to build the sport. After a tour, the aim should be to figure out strategic ways of moving forward.

There was a time when our various youth/junior netball teams would have coaches and assistant coaches selected and or assigned to them. These coaches would be tasked with developing programmes. Out of those projects, we could identify some coaches who later move into the senior programme. We need to start identifying young coaches who can later be elevated to the top level. These coaches should be working with Under-19 and Under-21 teams, doing training and development locally and overseas.

TOO MUCH NEGATIVE

Netball Jamaica needs to manage netball. Too much negative is getting out and everyone is talking. Trust me, the players also know the board is divided and battle lines drawn. Just maybe, the board can take a step back and look at a plan to move netball forward. I am not sure if the issue regarding the next president has been resolved, but the aspirant should have already formulated such a plan. Now is as good a time as ever to share that plan with the public so we can buy into the vision.

I know everyone will tell me about expenses and financial issues, but it’s for this very reason that unity is needed. Corporate Jamaica is not going to pump money into a seemingly disjointed national association. I think there is great future for netball in Jamaica. We have the talent both on and off the court, but too many administrative blunders, missed shots and turnovers are killing us. Netball is too precious to face these challenges, but I suppose with the right attitude and vision, we can move forward.

Dalton Myers is a sports consultant and host of ‘The Drive Phase Podcast. Send feedback to daltonsmyers@gmail.com or tweet @daltonsmyers.