Newly elected President of the Nevis Netball Association, Vera Herbert, on Tuesday took time out to thank the Netball fraternity on Nevis for placing their confidence in her to lead out in the well loved sport.
She also spent some time in saluting the efforts of her predecessor, Jeannette Grell Hull who she credited for nurturing her from player to official of the game.
‘Jans has served the island well. She has contributed significantly to making the sport what it is on the island 45 years. She has given of her time and her money and made Netball one of the top sports on the island and I thank her for her tremendous contributions and effort,” she noted.
She used the opportunity to pledge that she will make every effort to continue the good work started by Hull.
She also pointed to some of the upcoming plans of her Association: ‘I have already had a word with Minister Brandy- Williams and pointed out some of the areas of concern,’ she said. She indicated that one of the top priorities of her Association is to renovate the Cicely Grell Hull-Dora Stevens Netball Complex which she noted has deteriorated badly within recent years. She also agreed with a call made by the former President Hull that the Netball Complex be reserved only for the playing of Netball.
According to Herbert, her Association is planning three major tournaments for this year:
· The local league which is tentatively slated to commence on March 2nd
· The Parish league scheduled for June
· The Business league scheduled for October
The Association is also planning a novel tournament in collaboration with the Sports Department which is especially targeting the hosts of persons expected in during Culturama. It will be referred to as the ‘Culturama Cup’ and is expected to feature the top two teams out of the local tournament and two teams out of St.Kitts.
President Herbert used the opportunity to urge members of the general public to sign up as members of the Association and also beseeched individuals and the corporate community to assist with well needed sponsorship.
She also thanked her hard working members of the Association and praised Secretary Tricia Williams for her efforts so far.