Shirley Chisholm continue netball reign with fifth straight title

Shirley Chisholm Primary continued its remarkable dominance of primary school netball on Wednesday, capturing a fifth consecutive National Sports Council-Pedialyte Sport Primary School Netball title with a convincing 12-5 victory over West Terrace Primary at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. 

Backed by an enthusiastic crowd, the defending champions overcame early jitters to once again showcase the skill, discipline and championship pedigree that have made them the team to beat in primary school netball.

The team edged ahead 3-1 at the end of the opening quarter before West Terrace mounted a spirited response. The challengers narrowed the deficit to a single goal at 4-3 early in the second quarter, raising hopes of an upset.

However, the reigning champions quickly regained control, tightening their defence and capitalising on scoring opportunities to establish a 6-3 lead at half-time.

After the break, the champions turned up the pressure as they pulled away steadily, stretching their advantage to 10-4 at the end of the penultimate quarter. By that stage, the atmosphere in the stands had already turned festive, with supporters creating a carnival-like scene —dancing and singing to beating drums.

Supporters of the Shirley Chisholm team sang and danced throughout the game. (Photo Credit: Kurtis Hinds)

Speaking to Barbados TODAY immediately after the game, Shirley Chisholm coach Kelicia Sobers, described the win as the result of months of hard work by her team.

“The girls worked very hard, we have an extra-curricular program at the school so every Friday we participate in a variety of sports and other activities, so we practice every Friday and we also practice on Tuesdays after school,” she explained.

Having never trailed in the encounter,  Sobers described the game as going according to plan. She also revealed that having won five straight titles, Shirley Chisholm are already putting steps in place to enhance their growing dynasty.

“Part of our programme is to have succession, so the majority of our team members are only in Class Three. Only five members of our fifteen member team will actually be going on to secondary school and then we also have another team for next year, because we plan ahead,” she confirmed.

Earlier in the third place playoff, Wilkie Cumberbatch battled to a hard fought 9-6 victory over Christ Church girls, following an encounter that featured numerous lead changes.

They led 3-2 after a nervy first quarter, with the scores then being locked 4-4 at half time and 5-5 after a third quarter punctuated by several misplaced passes, as a result of good defense from both teams.

With the momentum swinging wildly in the final session, Wilkie Cumberbatch dug deep and hit three crucial shots, before going on to win.

Elated head coach Marion Johnson-Hurley praised her team for the poise it showed under pressure.

“ I think that was an interesting game, Christ Church Girls played well. My girls just stuck to their game plan which was to space, because I found that we were having problems throughout the tournament with spacing. When I brought in my goal shooter she was coming for the ball and following instructions so I felt proud about that and my girls deserved the victory,” she said.

(KH)