February 2nd, 2010
Pamala Proverbs
Last year I stopped blogging right in the middle of the World Youth Netball Championship. It was because I had a very bad experience and I did not want to share it at the time with the world wide web. It was not pretty, it would not have done the sport I love so much any good so instead I decided to be quiet. I decided to let the edge wear off.
Now I can say no one should have been surprised at Australia’s total devastation of the New Zealanders. New Zealand did not deserve to be in the finals but they were allowed there through bias umpiring.
There I said it!
As an umpire myself I try never to criticize officials but I found the selection of umpires very one-sided and borderline or full-line racial.
Malawi and Jamaica’s opportunity to be in the finals was stolen from them both against an overly aggressive and less talented New Zealand team. The Kiwis were not however allowed the same dangerous unsportsmanlike play against Australia who were in my books truly the best team in the competition.
I really admired how the Aussie coach used her team which was strong down to her 12th player as exhibited when her goal attack received an unfortunate injury in the semi-finals ( A big Congrats Australia, you were a picture of grace and true talent, sportsmanlike to the last play. Your game was really a great testimony to the great sport of Netball.) I am looking forward to the day when we as a people can truly see pass colour. See the beauty, the strength, the grace in each other.
My hope and pray for my sport this year is for the World to go into this new decade truly open- minded. And that the superiority/inferiority will be demonstrated through good play on court rather than by bigotry.
Tags: world youth
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August 16th, 2009
Barbados resting after the first Interval against Northern Ireland
Barbados looked comfortable (10-13) at the start of their final group game but faded to give Northern Ireland a comfortable 50-33 victory. Using the same starting line up as against Scotland they were to lose their strongest defensive player, Janeice Clarke, to a knee injury in the third quarter.
After the second quarter 27-16 Northern Island lead, Barbados did needed some substitutions but from my view point it was shooter Banfield that needed to come out of the game. Although she has been shooting well in the tournament the attacking players could not get the ball to her as she was never truly available. Boxill who has been the play maker was substituted for Croney. Croney has not looked herself yet in the tournament and continued her base line play that is totally ineffective against this level of opposition.
Barbados GA Croney on the attack
Barbados vs Northern Ireland
In the centre court Browne continues to mark air and while she would pick up the odd interception can produce far better results. The captain Springer is yet to push herself as she continues to play within herself. Maybe it is her fitness level but she has not been dominating the attack. This has been the task of Lovell who plays well but can get careless every couple of passes.
Barbados needed a tall shooter or one that is more available who could take some of the pressure off the team. The bottom line was that they had to make too many passes to get a shot while the opposition most times were able to make one pass in the goal third and one pass into the shooter. At this level a dominant shooter is key.
The Caribbean Round Up
In the other Caribbean team game, Trinidad and Tobago dispatched Scotland 50-35 but were made to fight for every goal.
Trinidad and Scotland
Jamaica will again carry the baton for the Caribbean’s hope for a first place or top three finish, while Barbados and Trinidad will play for 9th to 16th place.
Tags: 2009, Barbados, Cook Islands, netball, Northern Ireland, sports, Trinidad and Tobago
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August 15th, 2009
Barbados U21 on their way to their first victory
Day 4 proved to be a success for Barbados. Sporting a starting line up of Shanise Banfield (GS), Shekira Boxill (GA), Jalissa Lovell (WA), Shakira Springer (C), Samantha Browne (WD), Jehlesal Brathwaite (GD) and Jeneice Clarke (GK), the Bajan girls were able to control all the intervals 11-8, 18-15, 28 -20 to win convincingly 41-27 against Scotland.
Clearly catching their legs the girls all played well with the defenses having their best game of the tournament thus far.
Barbados on the attack
Jamaica finish on top of the table in Pool D defeating Papua New Guinea 93-14. Trinidad and Tobago had an off day.
Banfield on the ball. She shot well.
Tags: 2009, Barbados, Cook Islands, Jamaica, Scotland
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August 15th, 2009
Trinidad vs Barbados U21 Cook Islands
First quarter score Barbados vs Trinidad
Trinidad and Tobago got their first victory of the Tournament against Barbados, 59-33. The first quarter was the game winner for Trinidad as they compiled a massive lead that Barbados was unable to recover from despite winning the second quarter and playing a decent game to the finish. Coach Bruce finally found a combination that worked. Banfield has found form. She along with Boxill looks the stronger combination.
Jamaica had to play for their 76-35 defeat over Malawi. The score line does not reflect the competitiveness of the game. Malawi was definitely a class act.
Jamaica on the attack against Malawi
Tags: Barbados, Cook Islands, Jamaica, netball, Trinidad and Tobago
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August 15th, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago U21 Side Cook Islands 2009
Trinidad and Tobago suffered their second defeat on Day 2 of the World U21 Championship at the hand of titans New Zealand. They feared a little better than Barbados holding the Kiwis below a century going down 31-89.
Jamaica continued their bid to be in the super 8 easily dispatching Singapore 75-24. And by the way Romelda Aiken is as good as they say she is. With her in the team Jamaica is about 10 goals better. Barbados had a rest day
Tags: 2009, Barbados, Cook Islands, Jamaica, netball, sports, Trinidad and Tobago
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