6 months ago
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A GROUP of former Netball Jamaica presidents and administrators, led by the charismatic Marva Bernard, are on a mission to restore the players’ residence, more commonly known as the ‘Sunshine Chalet’ or ‘Netball House’.
The Sunshine Chalet, situated at 17 Widcombe Road, was once the pride, joy and hub of activity for Netball Jamaica, since it was handed over by the Government of Jamaica in 2010.
Its main function is housing players of various national programmes during training camps, seminars and meetings.
However, over the years, the facility has deteriorated.
Bernard revealed that she undertook the project after requests from the Australia-based players and Netball Jamaica vice president, Simone Forbes.
Then after seeing the state of the house, which was presented to the association under her leadership, she jumped to the girls’ assistance, soliciting the aid of other former presidents such as Vilma McDonald, OD; Sharon Donaldson, Molly Rhone, OJ, CD; along with current president, Tricia Robinson, who has given the project her blessings.
According to Bernard, the restoration committee is looking at putting in a new kitchen, replacing old furniture, especially beds, and doing a complete paint job, which will be left for last, among other things.
Although raising funds has been difficult, Bernard said they have received good support from Derrimon Trading, Progressive Grocers Group, Signus Investment, Courts, and Jamaica Public Service (JPS).
“Outside of the committee, friends of netball have donated well-needed items for the house. The painting is a big deal and we are leaving that for last.
“But it is going to take quite a few millions to get the job done, so we are only tackling the projects that are manageable now,” said Bernard.
She noted that the senior local girls are now in camp, while the under-21s are slated for a qualifying tournament in Guadeloupe in July, and she is hoping to have the ladies in a more comfortable space when that time comes.
“The girls from Australia will be back for rounds of World Cup and they want somewhere to stay when they are here
“The under 21 players are preparing for qualifiers in Guadeloupe in July, and the senior (local) players that are here, are in training now.
“So the majority of the money to complete the work, we are looking to get by the end of June. The first tournament is in July, by then the house must be comfortable,” she said.
“They stay overnight and get up in the mornings to train. It is their home away from home and we believe that they must be comfortable because these are the girls that are doing the work.”
The five-bedroom property can house up to two teams at a time, and Bernard is hoping that at the end of the project, the ladies will once again feel at home.
“The players that used the house loved it. It was a hub of activity for Netball Jamaica. That is what the committee hopes to restore, in terms of repairing, refurbishing and throwing away old, unwanted stuff.
“The players must be comfortable and that is what drives us. Simone Forbes, also a former player, lived in the house, as did Sasha-Gaye Henry, the now coach.
“They have history with that home, as well as all of the girls in Australia, who played on the (World Cup) team in South Africa.
“They had camps and spent weekends and had fun in that home, and they want to ensure that it comes back to where it was.”
“We don’t want to be doing this again in the next two years or so. So we have established a trust, and we will find trustees, who are vested in finishing the house, to prevent us from having do this again.”
The other members of the committee included Leonie Phinn, Janet Sylvester, Elsie Shaw, Patrick Brissett, Tania Tomlinson, Lydia Wilks and Jaimie Ogilvie.
English (US) ·