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Scotiabank, JNA ink $12m deal

Published:Wednesday | March 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Joan Forrest Henry (left), director of marketing services, Scotiabank, catches the ball after it was thrown by Jill McIntosh (second right), technical director of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), following the signing of a three-year agreement between the financial institution and the JNA, at Scotia Centre, Duke Street, yesterday. Looking on are Marva Bernard (right), president of the JNA and Joy Watson, coach of the national Under-13 team. - Rudolph Brown/Photographer

Financial institution renews commitment to junior programme

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) revealed positive news yesterday, as sponsors Scotiabank reaffirmed their support for the JNA's Under-13 and Under-16 programmes, by committing $12 million to the continuing development of both groups for another three years.

The sponsorship renewal, the perfect gift for the JNA - organisers of the nation's most popular female sport - on International Women's Day, remains the same as the previous three-year period.

For their part, the investment company admitted to being pleased with the results of the previous programme, that, in addition to the support of the younger Sunshine Girls, also featured the sponsorship of a national Under-21 player and the implementation of an umpiring programme, which they admitted was a pleasant bonus.

"Not only did we see the young netballers progressing through the various programmes, but an umpiring programme was also established," said Joan Forrest-Henry, director of marketing services, Scotiabank.

"What that shows is that you don't have to be on the court to be a part of the team," she added. "Whether it is on the court or off the court it is all about sustaining netball. You may not go on to be a Sunshine Girl, but you can be officiating on the sidelines and making things happen."

Forrest-Henry also said the programme will sponsor another Under-21 player leading up to the World Youth Netball Championships, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2013.

Grateful for support

President of the JNA, Marva Bernard, was grateful for the continued support and, though cautious, promised to look into extending the scope of the programme islandwide.

"We have a plan to take this programme into parishes that have associations, but it is important that the way in which we conduct affairs must be a blueprint for future programmes," said Bernard.

"We have plans to take it out of Kingston, but it must be in a structured environment," she added.

Bernard also revealed that a group of young players from England will travel to play matches against the girls in the nursery programme later this year and that practical application courses will be added to the umpiring programme.

"I would like to thank Scotiabank for putting Jamaica's netball on firm footing. Players come to the Under-21 programme with good skills because they attain them from the the Under-16 programme, and that is the case for a lot of girls," she noted.