Contributed
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (centre) posing with the members of Jamaica's national netball team, the Sunshine Girls, at Jamaica House, Monday evening after their arrival from England where they finished second in the inaugural World Netball Series Fast Net tournament in Manchester. At left is the parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Senator Warren Newby. The players (from left) are Malysha Kelly, Paula Thompson, Nadine Bryan, Romelda Aiken, Nardia Hanson, Crystal Gordon, Nicole Aiken, Simone Forbes, Sasha-Gaye Lynch, Tracey-Ann Robinson, Sasher Gaye Henry and Nichala Gibson.
Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer
Sunshine Girls stars Simone Forbes and Nadine Bryan, fresh from their silver medal-winning performance at the World Netball Series Fast Net tournament in Manchester, England, said the shorter version of the game would attract a lot more spectators to the game.
"I think this will certainly help to popularise netball around the world. The number of people that we saw there supporting the championships, and the fun they had and the interaction between the teams are all good for the sport," said Forbes, who plays goal attack and also captains the team.
"It was fantastic because it was intense and the ladies enjoyed it a lot. The games were like a different experience for us," said Forbes, who represents Waulgrovians 'A' in the Berger Paints Super League competition. She added they all had a lot of fun and they now looking to the next year's championships.
"I had a fabulous (time). Even though we were cold, that did not stop the fun because we blended in well with everything that was happening around us," Forbes noted.
Meanwhile, vice-captain Bryan, who is the most capped player in the team, sided with her teammate and said Fast Net is good for the sport will attract more attention to netball.
"I think it was a wonderful idea and I believe that this should attract a lot more people to netball now," said Bryan, who is the captain of the Berger Paints Super League champions Jamalco. "It is a little different from what we are used to. However, I thought we adjusted to it very quickly because we are used to be playing these type of games at the start of our (local) season."
Confident
Bryan, who plays centre court, noted that they all had a good time during the championships.
"Everybody was very excited about this championship from the moment we got there. The atmosphere, the food, outfits that we wore and spectators were all great.
Bryan added that despite losing the opening games of the championships to Australia and New Zealand, they were confident that would have bounced back to reach the final.
"We were really excited at the start, but we were a bit disappointed when we lost those matches. However, I think in the end, it turned out good for us because we then realised that we would play England in the semi-finals and once this happened we knew that we would be in the final."
Rhone
André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
President of the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), Jamaica's Molly Rhone, is beaming with satisfaction following the successful staging of the inaugural World Netball Series (WNS) in Manchester, England, which showcased for the first time the new hyperactive format, Fast Net.
Fast Net featured several innovative rule changes that were aimed at making the sport less 'stop and start' and more enjoyable for spectators and television audiences alike. Amendments included shorter quarters of six minutes each, two-point shooting from outside the circle, rolling substitutions and power plays in what is being dubbed as netball's answer to cricket's twenty20 format.
Other countries are already clamouring for a chance to host the non-stop, adrenaline-rushing format with New Zealand the latest to express an interest in doing so and there are even reports that IFNA may have made a small profit from this inaugural staging; all good news for Rhone who is revelling in the attention that the sport is now receiving.
Original format
"Overall, it (WNS) was a wonderful experience and a great addition to our sport. Yesterday (Monday) netball got a full page in the Daily Mail which was a first for netball. It was also great to see netball daily on BBC news. For the first time, we had sold the rights to Eurosport, so persons were calling from different countries in Europe to say they had seen or listened to it on the radio," Rhone said.
While admitting that Fast Net is still a work in progress at this point and stressing the relevance of the original format of the game, Rhone expressed satisfaction with Fast Net's debut and confirmed that there are plans to make it an annual event on the calendar.
Said Rhone, "I am very pleased with the inaugural event. The production was very different and created a very exciting atmosphere. IFNA plans to make this an annual event and will probably have it in different countries. Of course, we are about to undergo an assessment period with all stakeholders.
She hinted that more changes might be coming for the sport as insiders look to add to the excitement and energy that the format offers to the sport that has not always enjoyed this level of global interest.
"As part of the assessment we will be looking at the changes to the rules and we will see whether or not there needs to be further tweaking but keeping the game netball. The original game remains as our premier game," Rhone pointed out.
There has been mixed reactions from several high-profile players with New Zealand goal shooter Irene Van Dyke among those who didn't seem too excited by the fast-paced game. However, Rhone was satisfied that Fast Net left a positive impact on the vast majority of players and fans alike and expects it to push the sport to new horizons and markets.
"The reaction of players, coaches, spectators and the media was very positive and we have definitely got some new fans. The next series will be in Manchester next November due to Commonwealth Games in October," the IFNA president said.