Kiwanis honours Marva Bernard

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), was on Thursday honoured by the Kiwanis Club of North St Andrew for her outstanding contribution, not only to netball, but for the development of sports in Jamaica in general.

Leon Anderson, president of the club, said Bernard was very deserving of the award because she was not only a great leader, but also a good motivating figure to her administration.

"We are honouring her as an outstanding leader in sports," said Anderson during the ceremony, that was held at the Police Officers' Club in Kingston. "She has demonstrated great leadership in not only managing the JNA and the Sunshine Girls, but in getting corporate Jamaica and Jamaicans as a whole to buy into the concept that they bring forward," Anderson said.

He added that Bernard had transformed the Sunshine Girls into national assets, similar to the footballers because many more persons were now playing the sport.

"I remember the days when the netballers were playing and people weren't paying them any mind, but she has come and given it a new dynamism because people are looking forward to netball," said Anderson. "You now hear everything that is going on with the Sunshine Girls on the radio and people are just interested in their programmes," he said.

Anderson noted: "I think that they are in a much better position from when they started because she has been able to get a house and a new bus for them." He also mentioned the development of young players across the island.

In accepting her award, Bernard expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Kiwanis club for honouring her.

"I was very surprised and I feel very honoured to be recognised for what I do using the support and the strength of other people," said Bernard after accepting her award from Anderson. "I accept this award with humility because today you are here and tomorrow you are gone."