Holmwood set sights on retaining rural U19 netball title

DEFENDING Inter-Secondary School Sports Association (ISSA) under-19 rural area netball champions Holmwood Technical have set their sights on retaining their crown and head coach, Carline Graham-Powell, says her squad is fully fit and ready to take on all challengers.

“I have high hopes for this season as the girls look well. I’m positive that we are going to do great again this season as we have some lovely girls that are raring to go,” she stated.

Holmwood Technical are drawn in Group D alongside Bellefield High, Mile Gully High, Knox, Alphansus Davis High, and Porus High. According to the veteran coach, she’s isn’t perturbed about the challenges that her opponents will throw her way when competition begins on October 2.

“I have 11 all-island titles under my belt, so for me, I’m seasoned. However, I’m excited as every year there’s a spin to it. I’m not a coach who worries and bites my fingernails, I know what it takes to get the team to where they need to be, so because of that, the players feed off my energy. I know for you to win a title you have to be deserving of it, so if you have to do better than your opponents, you have to work harder than them,” she added.

As for the competitiveness of the rural area league, coach Graham-Powell explained that she doesn’t expect much until the semi-final stage of the competition. In a bid to avoid complacency, she often seeks practice matches for the team to keep them sharp for the business end of the competition.

“To tell the truth, it (early part of the competition) isn’t very competitive. Over the years, we know that the only time we’re going to face any pressure would be around the semi-final stages when we meet the likes of Denbigh High, Glenmuir High, or Manchester High. We have to find practice matches that can give us competition that will prepare the girls for those teams. But for now, it should be smooth sailing. However, you can’t be complacent, and you have to find competitive games, especially for the seniors so they can be ready when the time comes,” coach Graham-Powell said.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com