President of the International Federation of Netball Associations Molly Rhone (right) accepts her award or recognition from Prime Minister Bruce Golding at the Jamaica Netball Association 50th anniversary awards banquet at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) celebrated its half-century with a glitzy ceremony at the Grand Jamaica Suite at New Kingston's The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday, October 23.

Hundreds of sporting aficionados, former netball players and officials, along with well-wishers and government officials, shared in the spectacle that was also used to pay tribute to some of the sport's greatest servants and celebrate the country's netball achievements.

A majestic gold and green banner emblazoned with the JNA emblem and a glistening '50' hugged the walls to form an eye-catching backdrop, while contrasting golden hues on the ballroom's tables and chairs added to the grandiose appeal of the affair that lasted some five hours.

Giant screens, suspended from the ceiling, relayed the efforts of the roaming camera crew and even forced a few tears when a nostalgic video documenting the history of the sport in Jamaica was played.

JNA president Marva Bernard, who received several awards, was moved by the occasion and believes the sport has been given a huge shot in the arm following its recent successes.

much to be proud of

Said Bernard, "Let us take the opportunity to celebrate as there is much to be proud of. This 50th anniversary celebration is important to reposition netball as a dominant sport in Jamaica and to raise public awareness about our achievements."

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, keynote speaker, paid tribute to the netball fraternity and congratulated the members of the senior netball team for their performances against Australia and New Zealand respectively in the recently concluded National Commercial Bank Sunshine Series.

"We celebrate an important milestone and we could not have celebrated it in finer style than in the week in which we demonstrated that our sun can shine through all the ferns and our sun can shine brighter than any diamond," said Golding, cheekily alluding to the Oceanic teams.

Golding continued, "I want to congratulate the entire netball family, Marva (Bernard) and the rest of the administration. I want to congratulate all of the girls, Connie Francis of course, and all those who support the sport and not just those who are carrying the baton now, but those who over the years have done their part."

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right) and Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports Olivia Grange (centre) listen intently as Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) President Marva Bernard (left) makes a point during the JNA's 50th anniversary awards banquet at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, last Friday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Jamaica Netball Association first vice-president Yvette Smith (right) receives a special award from the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA), presented to her here by IFNA president Molly Rhone. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Former Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) president and captain of the first Jamaican netball team in 1959 Dr Barbara Buckley-Jones (left) presents a special award for "Long and Dedicated Service" to Mr. Alva Anderson at the recent JNA 50th anniversary awards banquet. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The Jamaica Netball Association's first president Margaret Beckford (right) shares a moment with current president Marva Bernard while cutting the cake in celebration of the organisation's 50th anniversary. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer