READY FOR MANDEVILLE AFTER BEATING ALL IN ST ANN
A St Ann Primary School-level netball team that has not lost a match in the parish in six years is confident of doing well in the All Island INSPORT Primary Netball Competition with their first match in the Parish Round knock-out, on Tuesday, January 30.
Golden Grove All Age team has again emerged on top in the parish without losing any of their seven matches.
Coach and manager of the team Andray Richards credits the success to cooperation and full involvement of several persons and stakeholders, including the community. He says the team is supported by a comprehensive structure of persons.
(Top goalscorer Libi Seaton)
He says the school’s sports programme, including netball, has the full support of the principal Ivolyn Campbell, vice principal Georgia Fullerton Onfry and various staff members who assist with everything from fundraising, ensuring proper diet, to registration of the team and counselling support “We can’t forget the parents and community who come out and cheers them when they are returning from a match,” the coach said.
Mr Richards thanks his mother, Millicent Richardson for her support. “She believes in winning,” he said and she keeps pushing him and the team to do better.
He said the team is dedicated, with the girls, all under 12, using their lunchtime for training. He says the planning means grade 4 and grade 5 girls are already groomed and training to replace those who will graduate this year.
Mr Richards says his team is ready to take on Mandeville Primary in the All Island Knock-Out robin round with two ties. The first match is at Manchester High on Tuesday, January 30. He says one of his main assets is the leading goal scorer in the competition, Goal Shooter Libi Seaton. She has scored the most goals two years in a row, in St Ann. So far she has scored one hundred and thirty-five goals.
He is not underestimating Mandeville who he says is an experienced, physical team.
According to Mr Richards, he has his tactics all worked out with a high press game to outnumber the opponents.
Mr Richards says one drawback is the finances necessary to do the travelling, especially at this stage. He credits the fundraising team led by Ann Marie Haye for their robust and aggressive efforts. However, he says, with matches coming thick and fast the pressure is great to find the money for travel. He says they continue to search for sponsors for this successful team and sports programme.
Andray Richards
