BERNARD

THE JAMAICA Netball Association (JNA) will be stepping up its efforts to improve on the current fourth-place world ranking of the national team.

Previously, countries were ranked once every four years, according to their positions in the World Championships, but with the number of teams taking part in the event reduced to 16 last year, the new system is more inclusive.

As a part of its efforts, the JNA will continue this year's campaign with the Berger Paints Jamaica Limited/JNA Super League scheduled to take place this Saturday at the Leila Robinson Courts.

The competition is expected to cost an estimated $2.3 million but, thanks to Berger Paints' contribution of $2 million, the JNA's expenses for the competition have been considerably reduced. From the sponsorship total, $50,000 have been allocated to the Sunshine Girls' programme.

Optimistic

President of the JNA, Marva Bernard, speaking at the launch of the competition yesterday in the hospitality suite at the National Stadium, was confident the Sunshine Girls would improve their current rank if the team had more opportunities to play in international events.

Bernard, in expressing the JNA's appreciation to Berger Paints for their continued support over the past 19 years, implored other corporate entities to become more involved in the development of the sport.

"The continuation of this tournament is a significant milestone for netball in Jamaica," Bernard said."We at the JNA have continued to handle our affairs at the highest standard and although the demand for sponsorship is so intense, we are very grateful that Berger has continued to undertake this project with us," she said.

Nine teams participating

The Berger/JNA Super League will include nine teams, including defending champions Jamalco, who have held on to the title for the past five years, Waulgrovians, who won the title 12 times between 1990-2002, and Tivoli, who held the title once in 1998.

Other teams expected to participate include Police A, Jetsetters A, Arnett Gardens, Molynes United and Windalco.

The winning team in each round of matches will take home a cash incentive of $3,200, a $1,000 increase over last year.

The winning teams in the quarter-finals will receive $4,000 each, while the victors in the semi-final round will claim $5,000 each.

Prizes

Total prize money for the league is budgeted at $679,200.

Competition prizes will include $180,000 for the winning Super League team. The second-place team will receive $120,000, third-place $60,000 and fourth-place $50,000.

Sectional awards will include prizes for most disciplined team ($12,000), most accurate shooter ($8,000), second most accurate shooter ($6,000), most valuable player award for final rounds ($4,500), best defensive team ($9,000), best offensive team ($9,000) and most goals scored in one match ($3,500). The rally winner will receive $10,000 and the runners-up $8,000.

The champions will also receive uniforms and each team will receive bibs.

Warren McDonald, regional managing director of Berger Paints Jamaica Limited, although fervently defending his company's commitment to the development of the sport indicated that several areas needed to be improved.

"We have fallen from third place to fourth in the world rankings. A result brought about to a great extent by some amount of international inactivity," McDonald said.

"We are sure that with the intense competition which will prevail over the next few weeks, the national players, as well as those aspiring to make the national squad, will use the opportunity to improve and ready themselves for the next round of internationals," he said.