The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP said today that the Government is standing behind Jamaica’s netballers in their quest to be the number one team in the world, at all levels. 

Minister Grange was addressing a celebratory luncheon at the Alhambra Inn for the Jamaica’s Under 21 netballers following their Bronze medal performance at the just concluded World Youth Championships in the Cook Islands.

“Today, I renew the commitment of the Government to do all that lies within our power to ensure that we achieve the nation’s goal of being the top netball country in the world, at all levels,” Miss Grange told the young Sunshine Girls, the Jamaica Netball Association officials, the coach, other support staff, the sponsors and others gathered at the luncheon. 

Miss Grange said getting to number one in the world will not be easy but that Jamaica is equal to the task. 

She told the junior Sunshine Girls that the nation was proud of their performance in the Cook Islands, bouncing back as they did from fourth position in 2004 to third in 2009. “I want to commend every one of you for representing Jamaica so well; for giving of your best; and for making all of us proud.” 

The Sports Minister gave the reminder that the Under 21 girls came very close to achieving the top rating when they finished second in the World Championships in Wales in 2000. “Today we are third in the world. We can be second again. And we can be first. There is work to be done. We will work with you,” was the Minister’s assurance. 
 

The Minister also commended Coach C. Lloyd walker and the other officials for their guidance and support of the Bronze medal winning team. 

She said the Government was pleased to have played a role in helping to get the team to the Cook Islands with a contribution of two million dollars through the Sports Development Foundation. 

She said her dream was for the local netballers to be equipped and provided with resources and facilities comparable to what exist in the countries of their main rivals so that they could compete on equal terms.  

Minister Grange said that a special treat that she had for the team which did so well in the Cook Islands was a visit to the Mystic Mountain attraction in Ocho Rios, St Ann.