MAKE NETBALL synonymous with discipline.

That call has come from Molly Rhone, president of the International Netball Federation (IFNA) and the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA).

In a wide-ranging interview last weekend, the final day of the 1st AFNA World Qualifiers held here in Barbados, Rhone made the plea after stating her disappointment with the failure to attract a title sponsor for the event.

"We must make netball synonymous with discipline. We are women. Sponsors don't like their names associated with indiscipline," Rhone said.

"When you bid to host a tournament, you expect the country to support it, but it is driven by the national association. They are the ones that people see.

"We must ensure that the association has the right image to attract sponsorships."

In addition to the lack of a sponsor, Rhone said she also expected some arrangements would've been made for school children to attend the championships, especially since they attended camp at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium during the day.

In that way, they would have been able to see their role models play, and also see netball at a higher level.

The netball chief said there were other little details which also needed to be looked after and planning had to be done from the inception when staging a major tournament.

"It is fair to say there have been some difficulties. When you decide to host a championship, it is a very serious undertaking. It is an agreement with the national association, but what is on show is the country, and the organising committee has to ensure everyone is on board.

"Notwithstanding the difficulties, the players had a good time. At this point it doesn't appear to be a financial success and that is a bit disappointing. Unlike other sports, netballers pay to attend tournaments and we hope to have a successful fund-raising because part goes to the hosts and the rest is divided among the participating countries. We are very disappointed when there is no financial success," Rhone said.