Benjamin, Freckleton give mixed reaction to MVP selection

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jovan Benjamin of all-island senior netball champions, Denbigh High School, and Kelleisha Freckleton from The Queen's School, the junior title champions, were voted the Most Valuable Players (MVP), at the awards ceremony for this year's Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Digicel-sponsored competitions, which was held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel last Wednesday.

Benjamin played a very instrumental role in guiding Denbigh to their first hold on the trophy, after defeating St Hugh's 24-21 in the final, which was played at the Leila Robinson Courts at the National Stadium.

Freckleton, a member of Jamaica's Under-16 team, which won the Caribbean Under-16 Championships last year, guided defending champions The Queen's School to an easy 33-20 win over Holmwood Technical.

Proud feeling

Freckleton said she felt proud for winning the award.

"I feel really good. I am very excited and proud of myself," said 15-year-old Freckleton, who plays both the centre and wing defence positions.

Freckleton, an admirer of national senior representative Nadine Bryan, added: "I wasn't surprised with this award because I know that I am an excellent player and I worked hard in training."

The teen is currently a member of the national Under-21 team.

Meanwhile, Benjamin, who won the MVP for the rural area competition, said she was surprised at winning the award.

"I feel good because I didn't know that I was going to win it," said 17-year-old Benjamin. When I heard my name, I felt very surprised."

She added: "It took a lot of discipline, hard work and dedication from me throughout the season and this was the reason that I was able to win this award."

Benjamin, who represents Hellshire United in the Jamaica Netball Association Divisional League, plays goal attack and lists national shooter Romelda Aiken as her favourite player.

Committed to development

Sade Ffrench of The Queen's School was voted the most accurate junior shooter, while Chiquana Reid of Denbigh took home the senior award.

Digicel's sponsorship manager, Paula Pinnock-MacLeod, who was the guest speaker at the awards ceremony, said her company is committed to the development of the sport.

"Digicel is particularly impressed with the progress that each team has made this season and we definitely look forward to bigger and better games next season," said Pinnock-MacLeod.

"Special recognition must be made of all the hours of training and hard work that you all have committed and the level of dedication that you continue to exude."

She added: "I would also like to use this opportunity to congratulate the entire local netball fraternity for raising the bar for the sport in Jamaica and taking Jamaica's netball to another level on the international scene."