Bernard

President of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), Marva Bernard, envisions a semi-professional netball league in Jamaica in as little as two years.

"I have a vision that two years down the road, we will be able to have our own semi-pro league. It is very much on paper, some of it now, because we envisage that we could sign on with a television partner and we would have one or two teams from the Caribbean."

Semi-pro league essential

This, she said, is essential so that the talented girls who represent Jamaica will be able to get paid.

She was speaking yesterday at the launch of the NCB Sunshine Series, which is set to get under way in mid-October. In the series, the Sunshine Girls, ranked fourth in the world, will take on Australia and New Zealand - the first- and second-ranked teams in the world, respectively.

Australia and New Zealand will not play each other in the series, which was organised in part to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the JNA.

Australia arrive on October 14, while New Zealand arrive on October 16.

Both teams are participating in the tri-nation series at their own expense.

On October 17 and 18, Australia will play Jamaica at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Games start at 5 p.m.

On October 20 and 22, it will be the turn of New Zealand to take on the Sunshine Girls. Those games will begin at 7 p.m.

Season tickets

Season tickets to the games will cost $2000, adult tickets will cost $700 and children's tickets $200. If schools want to pre-purchase tickets ,they can be had at a price of $150, but they have to be purchased at the JNA's office.

Charmaine Wright, marketing manager consumer services from title sponsor National Commercial Bank, said netball is one of the sports closest to their hearts.

"Our young people continue to look up to the Sunshine Girls. You girls are a beacon and I hope you know how important it is that you continue to live up to the high standards that are expected of you," she said.

Wright later handed over a cheque for $2 million to president Bernard.

Other sponsors on board for the four-day tournament include Supreme Ventures, Digicel, Pepsi, Burger King, JPS, KLAS radio and TVJ.

Coach of the Sunshine Girls, Connie Francis, said the girls are preparing well for the competition, training four days a week. They are also working with a personal trainer gaining strength to go up against the top two teams in the world.

For team captain Simone Forbes, this three-nation contest can't start soon enough.

"I can't wait," she said, revealing that should Jamaica do well in this competition, it could result in the team climbing from fourth place in the international rankings.