Courts on board for Girls

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Furniture and appliances valued at more than $1 million were officially handed over to the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) by Courts Jamaica yesterday.

Janet Sylvester, marketing director of Courts, handed over the furniture and appliances at a ceremony held yesterday at 'Sunshine Chalet', or 'Netball House', on Widcombe Road in Barbican, St Andrew. The residence, which will be used to house players from the various national programmes during training camps, seminars and meetings, was outfitted with two living-room suites, two full bedrooms sets, a dining room set, a 52'' Sony LCD television, wall mount, a washer and dryer combo, a home theatre system, microwave and other supplies.

"Courts has been lending its assistance to the JNA for several years, so when we were approached to help with the furnishing of the house we immediately agreed to play a part," said Sylvester.

"The house is now furnished and nicely accessorised, and it is our hope that our contribution will make a difference and inspire the entire JNA fraternity to be even more resilient," Sylvester added.

Marva Bernard, president of the JNA, said her association was very delighted with the donation.

Dream come true

"I am feeling fabulous, I am feeling blessed and I am feeling grateful," said Bernard. "This is what we dream about and it is now a reality, and when we were told to have the house and go and get it fixed up, never in our wildest dreams did we ever believe that we would be so blessed," she said.

She added that the girls were housed there for the recent tour by Australia.

"They were living here and they were cleaning it and they were relaxing, and you saw the end result of that series," Bernard said.

Bernard added: "I want to thank all the sponsors. Today is Courts' day, but SDF (Social Development Foundation) has given us a new roof and the Digicel Foundation has laid the foundation for the house to be repaired."

Simone Forbes, captain of the Sunshine Girls, said the house would help to foster better cohesiveness among the players.

"It is wonderful because you can't have a home without furniture, and Courts has come and contributed all of the furniture," said Forbes.

"Usually, when we are at hotel, we would be in different rooms but here we are at home, we can meet together as a team and when we have TV time, it is not a TV in each room. We have one TV and so you find that we are all watching the same show and laughing and having fun," she said.

The five-bedroom house was donated to the JNA last year by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.