Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) President, Marva Bernard (second right), outlines plans for its 50th anniversary celebrations at a press briefing at the National Arena yesterday morning. She is flanked by Margaret Beckford, founding president of the JNA, and Sonia Hamilton (right), CEO JNA. Also present is national Under-21 team manager, Theda King. - Contributed

Amid concerns for improvements in the standard of umpiring across the island, Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), said her administration would be going all out to certify each umpire next year.

"Our aim is to up the skill, the number, the quality and the quantity for umpiring and coaching for 2010," said Bernard yesterday morning, following a press briefing which was held at the National Arena in Kingston, to announce plans to commemorate her association's 50th anniversary.

"We will also be looking at the technical officials such as our umpires and our coaches and this will take the front stage because we're going to ensure that every coach who coaches netball, whether it is at club or high school level, is certified," said Bernard.

She also disclosed that three members of the New Zealand coaching staff, led by head coach Ruth Aitken, would be conducting a coaching clinic during their visit to the island for the Sunshine Series against Jamaica, later this month.

Bernard added that her association would also be going on an all-out drive to seek sponsorship for a number of their development squads.

"We will also be looking to increase the marketing of our sport and we will be seeking sponsors for all our squads, especially the development squad because we have a number of talented Under-16 girls who we have not yet put into our development programme."

Commonwealth Games

The president also noted that they would be seeking sponsors to help cover the expenses for the Sunshine Girls' preparations for the Commonwealth Games in India in October next year.

"We are in the business of preparing our national teams for international games and so we are also concentrating on getting ourselves ready for the Commonwealth Games in India," she said.

"We are definitely looking for sponsorship to help with our nutrition and the overall cost of our preparations."

The JNA's weeklong international netball series will culminate in a banquet celebrating 50 years of netball, at which Prime Minister Bruce Golding will be the guest speaker. The function is scheduled for The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on October 23.