The Barbados Netball Association (BNA) has got a tremendous New Year gift which local fans should enjoy by seeing the Bajan Gems battling the best of the region here during the third quarter of the year.
Barbados will be hosting the American Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA) Regional Qualifier which will see the top two teams advancing to the World Cup in Liverpool in 2019. Barbados held a similar qualifier in 2006 with the Gems emerging second behind Trinidad and Tobago.
A thrilled president of the BNA, Nisha Craigwell, shared the good news with NATIONSPORT minutes after getting Government’s approval to host the qualifier.
“We received the approval which will see Barbados staging the qualifiers from August 26 to September 2. World ranked number four Jamaica would have already qualified, based on their rankings, but all of the other teams in our region can apply to take part. Our dates are based on ten countries taking part; but if more than ten apply, we may have to increase the playing days or set matches for mornings and evenings,” said Craigwell.
AFNA has 13 full members, and with Jamaica not expected to take part, Barbados would rank the highest at 10 in the world above possible participants Trinidad and Tobago, 13, St Lucia, 18, Grenada, 23, Canada, 26, United States, 27, Bermuda, 28, St Maarten, 31, Cayman Islands, 38 and Argentina, 39.
Former regional stars Antigua and Barbuda and St Vincent and the Grenadines do not have world rankings as a result of their inactivity.
The staging of the qualifier has a price tag of just under $200 000 with the level of the competition mandating that all of the matches must be played indoors.
“Having got the approval from Government we can seriously embark on obtaining the financial and other support to make this qualifier a success,” Craigwell said.
“Previously, we were merely putting together the logistics but with the approval now we can invite the countries to submit applications and most importantly, we can vigorously seek various wavers and concessions on transportation, accommodations and the use of the Gymnasium to reduce the price tag.”
The president indicated that while the qualifiers would enhance Barbados’ international reputation as a country that can successfully organise a tournament of that calibre, it would also provide a chance for the Barbadian public to see the senior netballers in action at home while proving to be a fitting exit stage for some of those players who may be coming to the end of their careers.
“We have been doing well on the world stage, but it has been a while since the local netball fans saw our senior girls in action. And nothing could be better than some of those players who have signalled that they are looking to retire displaying their talents one last time in front of a supportive home crowd.” (KB)
