Not so long ago, 11-year-old Sheniqua Thomas was playing in the Pine Hill Dairy Primary Schools’ Netball Competition.
Yesterday, the 14-year-old Combermere School student gave a short address offering words of advice to this year’s players during the opening ceremony at the Netball Stadium.
Thomas told them she was the youngest player to be selected for the Barbados Under-16 team after playing for Ellerton Primary.
“I came through the ranks of this same prestigious competition,” she said.
Thomas told the hundreds of children from the 47 teams on parade, netball was more than a game; it also gave valuable life lessons.
“It taught me about failure, joy, disappointment, excitement, winning and losing. It also taught me about maturity, humility and selflessness, but most of all, teamwork.
“I would like to encourage all of you to aspire to become successful sportswomen, and in doing that, remember to be disciplined and have good sportsmanship at all times.
“As all of you go into competition, never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing your game.”
Thomas also urged sponsors, parents and teachers to continue supporting the competition and the dreams of young players.
Meanwhile, assistant director of the National Sports Council, Mona Alleyne, challenged the young players to think beyond this year’s tournament, but about what contribution they would make to the sport in the future.
Pointing out it was the nursery for the national programmes, Alleyne said many who started as players were present in the stadium – including several after whom the zones were named – but they continued to make a contribution to the sport.
“We want you to come in with a purpose to play and as you get older, look to see what greater contribution you can make and help us to keep the fires burning for netball,” she said.
Barbados Netball Association president Nisha Cummings thanked the girls for making netball their sport of choice.
Fifty-nine teams are taking part in this year’s competition and Wilkie Cumberbatch were named Best Team on Parade, with Bay Primary getting honourable mention.
Belmont Primary are the champions of this year’s Aileen Jeffers Memorial rally defeating Hillaby Turner’s Hall 2-0 in the final.
Thirty-nine teams took part in the rally.
