3 weeks ago
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NETBALL JAMAICA (NJ) president Karen Rosen-Baugh said the Supreme Ventures Limited’s (SVL) donation of $5 million has brought renewed hope to the association as they make inroads into the $11 million the under-21 Sunshine Girls need to get to the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar from September 19 to September 28.
“It’s huge for us,” said Rosen-Baugh about the donation that goes toward the trip to Gibraltar.
“We came out last week and said we needed over $11 million and SVL has stepped up and donated $5 million of that, so we’re extremely grateful.
“We need to get to booking our tickets to go to Gibraltar so that will really help us to mobilise and move faster.”
Heather Goldson, SVL’s chief marketing officer, said the donation is just another step in the corporation’s continued support of the growth of netball in Jamaica.
“Netball has always punched way above its weight globally, and you guys have big shoes to fill,” Goldson said during the presentation yesterday.
“This is really our way of showing we support you and we know you can do this. So congratulations on getting there and we are behind you 100 per cent.”
With the renewed hope of achieving their goal, Rosen-Baugh has called for further support from corporate Jamaica in order to cover the remaining six or so million.
She explained the team had already received support from the government of Jamaica as well as the Bob Marley Foundation.
“We’re hoping that the rest of corporate Jamaica will follow SVL’s lead and come through for this team that has been preparing and working very hard to perform well at the World Cup.”
She also said the donation will bring a major boost to the players’ moods as they draw nearer to their goal.
“We try to isolate the girls from the financial part of it so they can focus solely on playing, but it is good for them to know that corporate Jamaica is behind them,” she explained.
“So when they step out on the court, they will know they are carrying not just the pride of Jamaica, but the investment of our companies into our youths.”
Anette Daley, head coach of the U21 Sunshine Girls, welcomed the support from SVL and said the relationship between the association and SVL is more akin to family than a business partnership.
“I’m extremely elated that SVL came on board because we have been working hard and the girls have been putting in the hours. We are happy that we are halfway in getting there and we are calling on the other members of corporate Jamaica to come on board,” Daley said.
“When you talk about partnerships and a partner staying with you for a number of years, it means they are family. It’s not someone coming on board for a one-time thing, so we do see the SVL as family and we always look forward to working with them.”
She hopes they will be able to raise the remaining funds needed for their World Cup campaign as she believes all 15 girls deserve the opportunity to compete at the global age-group competition.
“We would love the take all 15 girls – the 12 that are on the team and the three reserves – to Gibraltar so this is something that we are really appreciative of.”
Jamaica have been drawn in Pool C alongside England, Tonga, Wales, and Sri Lanka. They will open their campaign on September 21 against Tonga at the Europa Sports Complex.
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