Super League giants in rally shoot-out

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

A galaxy of stars will be on show today when the 2011 Jamaica Netball Association (JNA)/Berger Paints Super League competition tips off with an opening ceremony, dress parade and rally at the Leila Robinson Courts, starting at 3 p.m.

Six teams are down to participate in this year's Super League, with Tivoli Gardens being the defending champions. The other participating teams are Jamalco, Waulgrovians A, Windalco, Mico and the University of the West Indies.

The rally will for the first time be played on a FastNet format.

National representative Jodi-Ann Ffrench, along with former national players Cleopatra Grant and Oberon Pitterson, will spearhead Tivoli's charge.

Jamalco, another leading contender, will be led by national players Nadine Bryan, Nicole Aiken, Althea Byfield and Marsha Murray.

Waulgrovians, the other favoured team, will be led by Simone Forbes, Paula Thompson and Janelle Fowler.

In the meantime, the competition, which is in its 23rd staging, was launch on Thursday at the National Arena. It was declared open by Warren McDonald, managing director of Berger Paints, who handed over his company's sponsorship cheque for $2.5 million to Dorothy Hobson, second vice-president of the JNA.

McDonald told the gathering that his company was committed to helping with the development of the sport in the country.

"This is the most popular sport played by female in Jamaica because we have well over 20,000 players, ranging from the primary, prep schools and right up through the communities playing the sport, and over the years it has been efficiently administered," said McDonald.

"The ladies have always exhibited good discipline and work ethic, both on and off the court, and we think that they are a fine example to the youngsters."

McDonald continued: "We have supported this sport and seeing it developed over the years, because we are now number four in the world and we are certainly gunning at this year's World Championships to be the number one team."

Hobson said her administration was very happy for the sponsorship from Berger Paints.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Berger Paints because this is the 23rd year of their sponsorship and they increased it, and so the association is very happy for it," said Hobson.

"These are very harsh economic times and so when an organisation continue to assist with their sponsorship, then we just have to appreciate it," Hobson added.