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• Denise Alleyne highlights positives despite Bajan Gems 0-3 loss to Northern Ireland in Paradise Cup Series

  Despite being swept 0-3 by Northern Ireland Warriors in a three-match Paradise Cup series, Barbados Gems head coach Denise Alleyne took heart from her team’s performances, as she believes the experience will serve them well going forward.

  For Alleyne, the fact that young players from the 15th-ranked Gems were exposed to rubbing shoulders with more seasoned players was an even bigger highlight of their campaign against 11th ranked Northern Ireland, which ended at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on Tuesday.

  Northern Ireland won 53-43, 66-39, and 55-45.

  “The biggest takeaway from the Northern Ireland Test series for me was the introduction of the new young players, especially ones that came forward from the Under-21, and just having a glimpse of what the future of netball could be,” Alleyne said.

  “I was so very proud of their performance, even the ones who only played for a quarter. They went on and gave 100 per cent. So it gave me some hope, because, as you know, the team does have a mix of older and younger players, and then there are some in between who would have been Under-21 nationals just a couple of years ago, so it is a good mix,” she added. 

  Alleyne explained that tournaments like these are important to the Barbados’ netball development and that of younger players, in particular, as they displayed grit and commitment throughout, even as the odds were stacked against them in more ways than one.

  “I did see a lot of individual improvement, in terms of player development both on and off the court. The girls played with a lot of heart. I knew that it would have been a challenge – I did believe that we could have won at least one of the games, because I don’t think Northern Ireland is 20 or 30 goals better than we are,” Alleyne told Barbados Today.

  “But you know, we had circumstances with injuries and stuff, and we also had situations where people had to go to work and then hustle to get there for the game in the evening time. So that too would have played a part in how rested and prepared people were for the game on the night. But it is a circumstance beyond our control,” she noted, adding that she anticipates significant growth over time.

• Shanice Beckford re-signs with West Coast Fever for 2025 Season after impressive debut

   Jamaican netball star Shanice Beckford has re-signed with West Coast Fever for the 2025 season of the Suncorp Super Netball League, following a standout debut season with the club. Beckford's re-signing solidifies her place in the Fever's roster, where she has quickly become a vital asset, particularly with her strong connection to fellow Jamaican and star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.

  During the 2024 season, Beckford played in every game, showcasing her skills on the international stage and seamlessly transferring her chemistry with Fowler-Nembhard onto the SSN court. She finished the season with 94 goals, including 26 Super Shots, highlighting her impact as a dynamic and reliable Goal Attack.

   Fever General Manager Sue Gaudion expressed her excitement about Beckford's return, emphasizing the significant role she plays within the team. “We are really excited to have Shanice Beckford back in Green for 2025 and we cannot wait to see her take her game to the next level as she becomes more familiar with the Fever environment and system," Gaudion said. "Shanice has shown she has what it takes to compete, and her blistering start to her SSN career in 2024 is a prime example of what she can deliver."

   Gaudion also highlighted Beckford's transition into a full-time, professional environment for the first time in her career, noting the positive impact it has had on her development. "This year saw Shanice step into a full-time, professional environment for the first time in her career, and we know she will continue to thrive as she benefits from the experiences she has at West Coast Fever. Her team-first attitude, drive to improve, and her strong connection with Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard make her a vital component of our contracted 10 for 2025.”

  

   Beckford, equally thrilled to be returning to the Fever, reflected on her incredible debut experience and her eagerness for the upcoming season. “I had the most incredible debut experience in the Suncorp Super Netball League with West Coast Fever," Beckford said. "Being part of the West Coast Fever environment was truly amazing. I had a fantastic time building long-lasting relationships with my teammates and the coaching staff, while simultaneously learning and growing in my netball skills."

   She added, "The whole experience of being in Western Australia has been absolutely extraordinary. I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming 2025 season and can't wait to see what it has in store, especially playing alongside my teammates in front of the passionate and supportive Green Army. I am genuinely thrilled to be back and looking forward to the exciting journey ahead.”

   Beckford's re-signing completes West Coast Fever’s contracted 10 for the 2025 season, which includes key players such as Jess Anstiss (Captain), Ruth Aryang, Sunday Aryang, Jordan Cransberg, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Alice Teague-Neeld, Olivia Wilkinson, and Fran Williams.

  As Beckford prepares to take her game to new heights in 2025, fans of West Coast Fever and the Green Army can look forward to another thrilling season with their star Goal Attack leading the charge.

• Cavalier SC, Mount Pleasant Academy set for opener of 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup at Sabina Park

  Cavalier SC and Mount Pleasant Academy both expressed optimism ahead of their clash to open the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday.

  The two teams most recently met in a thrilling final of the Jamaica Premier League in May which Cavalier won 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out. 

  Head Coach of Cavalier, Rudolph Speid, doesn't expect that result to give his side a mental edge going into Tuesday's clash.

  "The phenomenon of this clash is that every time we meet, Mount Pleasant has a new team and we have a lot of changes. It's a new game all over and we just expect to win this particular game," he said in a pre-match press conference on Monday.

  The teams will compete in Group A of the ten-team tournament alongside fellow JPL outfit Arnett Gardens FC, Real Hope FC out of Haiti and Police FC out of Trinidad & Tobago.

  Cavalier were runners-up in last year’s inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, losing the two-legged final by a combined score of 3-0 to Surinamese outfit Robinhood FC.

  Something synonymous with Cavalier over the years is their willingness to use young players and Head Coach Rudolph Speid says this will continue to be the team’s policy going forward.

  “We don’t have much new faces. Some of the younger players from our youth teams are the ones that have stepped up. That has been our policy and our motto. Every single year, Cavalier will field young players who came through our ranks.”

  Despite this inexperience, Speid expects good things from his players when the time comes.

  “They know what to expect. Some of them have pretty big shoes to fill and I’m confident that they will do well,” he said.

  Trinidadian attacker Kaile Auvray, who joined Cavalier from Mount Pleasant recently, is hopeful that his insight on his former team will give them an added advantage tomorrow.

  “Obviously being a former Mount Pleasant player, I know my former teammates very well so I’ll be sure to communicate things that can help us be successful,” he said.

  On the other hand, this will be Mount Pleasant Academy’s first time competing in the CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, an achievement that is not lost on Head Coach Harold Thomas.

  “It’s been a long-awaited arrival for Mount Pleasant at this level. Our preparation has been relatively smooth. Short period of time but we were able to implement all the things we wanted to. We’re happy with where we are,” he said.

  “We are all excited as a club,” said Mount Pleasant skipper Sue-Lae McCalla about playing in their first CONCACAF Caribbean Cup.

  “It’s a good feeling. For a new club, the first time so it’s a lot of excitement for us,” he added.

  Normally, playing in a tournament of this magnitude for the first time would have a team feeling some pressure.

  For Coach Thomas, however, this is not the case.

  “Absolutely not,” was his response to questions about whether or not his team is feeling the pressure ahead of tomorrow’s game.

  “This is what we live for. For us, it’s just a matter of getting all things right,” he said.