'A step in the right direction'

JNA president says Hall's inclusion will strengthen national selection

Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), said the appointment of former head coach, Maureen Hall, as a member of the selection panel for Jamaica, is a strategic one by her administration.

Bernard says the move will help to find new talent for future Sunshine Girls' squads.

"It is a good thing and a step in the right direction because this is part of what the JNA is doing in making sure that right teams get picked all the time," said Bernard, in a recent interview with The Gleaner.

"Maureen has knowledge, she has something to contribute and the time is now because there is an excitement around the new thrust that the JNA is taking on, and we believe that she has a wealth of knowledge to help us in this area," Bernard said.

"She can contribute not only in terms of identifying talent, but she could also help us in the area of mentoring young coaches that will be coming up."

The current selection panel includes head coach Connie Francis, Waulgrovians' coach Patrick Brissette, Paula Daley-Morris and Vilma McDonald.

The vastly experienced Hall, who guided the Sunshine Girls to a bronze medal at the 2003 World Netball Championships, which was hosted by Jamaica at the National Indoor Sports Complex, will replace the International Federation of Netball Associations president, Molly Rhone.

Only recently, the JNA appointed former Australian coach, Jill McIntosh, as technical director of its programmes along with three specialist coaches - Under-21 head coach C. Lloyd Walker, Minette Reynolds, the Under-16 assistant coach and former Sunshine Girls coach, Oberon Pitterson.

All these coaches, along with Francis, will report directly to McIntosh on a weekly basis.

- Robert Bailey