Newly appointed Jamaica national U-21 Annette Daley hopes to use the unit to reinforce the senior team in light of the cancelation of the Netball World Youth Cup.
The event, which was slated to take place in Fiji, in June, was initially moved to December 2021. The tournament has, however, now been cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis.
The decision was made in consultation with Fiji's Government and the Local Organising Committee. Considerations like travel restrictions, athlete well-being, pandemic-related uncertainty and planning difficulties, increased costs, and Fiji's low COVID-19 rate all contributed to the decision, organisers said.
Daley was appointed to the post in February and had just begun preparing the team for the tournament.
“We are going to meet with the ladies officially, but training continues. We are looking at continuing to develop the ladies because for the senior program we do a base that we can pull players from,” Daley told TVJ Sports.
She also pointed to the fact that there could still be some international competition that the team can take part in later this year.
“There could be a championship for Jamaica in October where Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa are coming. If that is so at least we will be ready to engage in competition.”
Wayde van Niekerk Embraces Jamaican Track Culture Ahead of Racers Grand Prix
Wayde van Niekerk, the reigning world record holder in the Men's 400m, is eagerly preparing for his appearance at the Racers Grand Prix set to take place at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
The South African sprinter has faced an arduous journey to regain full fitness following a devastating knee injury in 2017, just a year after his remarkable Olympic triumph. Throughout his recovery, van Niekerk has relied on the expertise of his Jamaican therapist, an important contributor to his rehabilitation process.
“I’m extremely excited, this is one of my highlights for a while now. I love the culture, I love the country, I love the people, and I mean you guys are genuine track lovers,” van Niekerk declared.
Expressing his deep admiration for Jamaica, van Niekerk revealed his love for the country's track and field culture, referring to it as the "Mecca of track and field.” He praised Jamaicans' genuine passion, knowledge, and unwavering support for the sport, recognizing their unparalleled contributions to the world of athletics.
Van Niekerk feels honoured to be able to compete in a country that has produced several track and field legends. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to leave his mark on Jamaican soil, paying tribute to the great athletes who have emerged from the nation.
“If you look at the amazing athletes that have come through in track and field, and being able to, not just honour the greats that have come out of Jamaica, but also to put my feet into Jamaican soil and compete there and leave my mark behind in such a country that I respect when it comes to track and field, it's exciting for me.”
The Racers Grand Prix holds significant importance for van Niekerk, serving as a vital part of his preparation for the upcoming World Championships. “I'm in a stage now where I need to build my confidence, to get back to winning ways and that's where my mentality is at. I’m looking forward to the positives that lay ahead of me, and I’m hoping to use Jamaica as one of my positive stepping stones, moving forward for the major competitions that do await us, and also use it as a positive step forward,” he remarked.
Recognizing the passionate support that Jamaican fans bring to track and field, van Niekerk is eager to utilize their energy and enthusiasm to his advantage. He believes that competing in an environment that embraces and loves the sport will provide him with a positive atmosphere to achieve outstanding results.
With his eyes set on the podium at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, van Niekerk hopes that a successful performance at the Racers Grand Prix will help set the stage for a triumphant return to the top-tier of the 400m event.
Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago secure round four wins in CWI Women’s T20 Blaze; Barbados, Guyana level on points heading into final round
An unbeaten half-century from captain Shemaine Campbelle lifted Guyana to a crucial eight-wicket win over defending champions Jamaica in their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s T20 Blaze match on Thursday.
The stylish right-hander made 50* from 49 balls including five fours and shared an unbroken third wicket stand of exactly 100 with allrounder Shakibi Gajnabi, as the Guyanese successfully chased 110 in the opening match of the triple-header at Warner Park, St Kitts.
Gajnabi supported well with 37 not out from 46 balls and the result was achieved with 12 balls remaining, giving Guyana their third win of the tournament.
Earlier in the day, fast bowler Celina Whyte took 2-11 from her allotted four overs – removing Sheneta Grimmond for six and fellow opener Katana Mentore for two but Campbelle and Gajnabi combined to dominate.
When Jamaica batted captain Stafanie Taylor led the way again with 48 off 49 balls with five fours and one six, as the Jamaicans reached 109-6 from their 20 overs after they won the toss and chose to bat.
Taylor added 55 for the second wicket with Keneshia Ferron (20) and put on 32 for the third wicket with Natasha McLean (27), but their effort was never going to be enough to seriously challenge Guyana. Seam bowler Cherry-Ann Fraser was the pick of the bowlers with 3-18 from three overs.
In the day’s second encounter, Trinidad & Tobago secured a six-wicket win over the Leeward Islands.
Divya Saxena (37) and Jahzara Claxton (36) led the way for the Leewards as they made 120-5 off their 20 overs batting first.
Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed took a pair of wickets in her four overs while conceding only 21 runs while Kirbyina Alexander took 2-15 from three.
Trinidad & Tobago then reached 121-4 with 14 balls to spare thanks to a solid all-round batting effort including contributions from Shunelle Sawh (26), Britney Cooper (21*), Shalini Samaroo (20) and Anisa Mohammed (19*).
The day’s third game saw Super 50 champions Barbados score a dramatic four-wicket win over the Windward Islands off the last ball of the match.
Qiana Joseph led the way with a run-a-ball 50 while Malika Edward contributed 20 as the Windwards posted 128-8 off their 20 overs.
Pacers Shamilia Connell and Allison Gordon led the way with the ball for Barbados with 3-16 and 2-20 from their respective four over spells.
The successful Barbados chase was then led by the Knight sisters with Kycia getting 49 at the top of the innings and Kyshona getting 19* including the winning runs. Naijanni Cumberbatch also contributed a crucial 22 as Barbados ended up 121-6 off their 20 overs.
Zaida James took 2-27 from her four overs for the Windwards.
With one round of matches left, Guyana and Barbados are currently level on 12 points with Barbados at the top via head-to-head record. They are followed by the Windwards (8), Trinidad & Tobago (8), Jamaica (8) and the Leewards (0).
On Saturday, Jamaica will take on the Windward Islands, Barbados will face the Leewards and Guyana will face Trinidad & Tobago.
Jamaica to open campaign against Canada on Friday, May 26 after rain forces Group A postponements Wednesday
Following Wednesday night's washout of the Group A matches in the final round of the Concacaf Women U20 Championships qualifiers, Jamaica will now play their opening match against Canada on May 26.
They will then play the USA on May 28 with their final group match against Panama set for May 30.
Adverse weather conditions resulted in water-logged fields in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night causing the games to be postponed.
The other Group A fixture between the United States and Panama was also called off.
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