Netball queens of the north recognised

The Queens of the Court Netball Rally staged last Sunday at the Boscobelle Hardcourts, St Peter, was a resounding success. The event was staged as a result of collaboration between the Community Development Department and the Boscobelle Youth Empowerment Group.

More than 100 participants representing eight teams from the north of the island were involved in the activities. These teams included: Sunrise Ballers – Boscobelle, St. Peter; Unity Stars – Speightstown, St. Peter; Northern Stars, Checker Hall, St. Lucy; Stilettos Netball Club – Haynesville, St. James; Belleplaine Ballers – Belleplaine, St. Andrew; IG Panthers – Indian Ground, St. Peter; Steve’s Building Works Combine Netballers – Holy Innocent, St. Thomas; Bel-Air All Stars – St. Joseph.

Stilettos emerged as the only unbeaten team in the netball rally, having gained victories over IG Panthers, St. Peter, Steve’s Building Works Combine, St. Thomas and Northern Stars, St. Lucy, to gain a maximum of fifteen points, topping Zone B. Second place went to Sunrise Boscobelle who gained victories over Belleplaine, St. Andrew and Unity Stars, St. Peter with twenty goals for and nine against in Zone A.

Steve’s Building Works Combine, St. Thomas came third after victories over Northern Stars, St. Lucy and IG Panthers, St. Peter with fifteen goals for and fourteen goals against in Zone B. Rain came in the last game of the twelve preliminary rounds and washed out the semi-final and final games. In this regard, Stilettos were declared winners, as the only unbeaten team, whereas, second and third positions were declared based on goal difference.

Stilettos’ Shaneta Spencer was the outstanding player of the netball rally and was named the The Queen of the Court, 2022 (MVP). She was treated like a true queen where she was sashed, crowned, seated and provided with a bouquet of flowers, in addition to a number of other prizes which were donated by corporate Barbados. These included: Manicure/Pedicure- Nelz Nail Salon; Train Ride – St. Nicholas Abbey; Lunch- Just Grillin (Holetown); Spa SUENOTHSPA; Jewelery – A’eleke Beads; Gift Voucher – Jus Binn, Beautiful Island Memories; Breakfast – Hillside View Catering & Events/Executive Chef, David Yarde.

Mary Vaughan Vintage Queen (left) with her award presented by Cheri Boyce.

There were a number of other individual prizes, these included: Youngest Player- Haile Gilkes (IG Panthers- St. Peter) – 9 years;

Oldest Player- Marcelene Cyrus (Steve’s Building Works Combine- St. Thomas- 60 years; Best Goal Shooter- Stephanie Patrick (Sunrise Boscobelle); Best Goal Attack – Shaneta Spencer (Stilettos, St. James); Best Wing Attack- Alika Rouse (Sunrise Boscobelle); Best Centre – Anise Alleyne (Stilettos, St. James); Best Wing Defence- Kayla Alleyne (Sunrise Boscobelle); Best Goal Defence- Nakisha Boyce (Stilettos, St. James); Best Goal Keeper- Tashana McClean (Steve’s Building Works Combine- St. Thomas).

The organisers also presented special awards, namely: Dedication Award- Sandra Watson; BYE Comradery Award- Lavern Griffith; Best Dressed Team- Northern Stars, St. Lucy. A surprise component of the evening targeted some of the vintage netballers of the northern parishes. These were netballers who have contributed positively to the development of the sport in the northern parishes, both from the national players level and administrative. The following netballers were awarded: Joan Boyce, June Boyce, Natasha Bridgeman, Jacqueline Browne-McConney, Jennifer Forde, Coleen Griffith, Marilyn Hollingsworth-Thornhill, Wanda Maynard-Agard, Marvalene Neblett, Joyce Sandiford, Deborah Thornhill and Linda Wilson.

Also receiving recognition for their contribution to the sport were Nisha Craigwell – President, Barbados Netball Association; Vallan Harris – Renowned Coach, St. Lucy (Achievement Award); Monique James- Netball Coach; June Rowe – Community Advocate; Mary Vaughn – Coordinator, Barbados Workers Union Netball Tournament. 

(PR)