Squad named for AFNA tournament

Gibson

NICHALA Gibson is the only surprise in Jamaica's 12-member senior netball team which was named this week for the upcoming Americas Federation of Netball Associations tournament in Domini-ca.

The 18-year-old represented Jamaica in the three-Test series against Australia's Under-21s and was a member of the team which won the inaugural Caribbean Under-16 Championship in Antigua that same year.

In 2000, the former St Hugh's High School student played in the three-Test series against England and Australia and toured Wales for the World Youth netball tournament.

Jamaica's team this year, captained by Oberon Pitterson, balances youth with experience. Among the more youthful are 18-year-old Althea Byfield, Sharmalee Watkins (20) and Simone Forbes, who just turned 20.

Veterans Pitterson, Georgia Gordon, Sharon Wiles, Andrea Watson, Nerine Riley, Elaine Davis, Nadine Bryan and recalled Margaret Byfield add the experienced touch.

The netballers went into camp at the University of Technology from June 8-10 as part of their preparations leading up to the event.

Under head coach Maureen Hall and assistant Janet Guy, the ladies were treated to a series of discussions and taken through sequences of physical activities.

"They were shown videos and we had discussions on game situations, but the camp was basically to get them used to living and working together in the same environment," Guy said.

The AFNA tournament (formerly the Caribbean Champion-ships) will be held in Dominica from July 5-16.

Back to Sport