Former national captain and current Sunshine Girls coach, Connie Francis (left), receives her Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) award from Prime Minister Bruce Golding for representing the region at five World Championships. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Sports minister Olivia Grange promised continued support for Jamaica's netball programme and paid tribute to the efforts of the sport's main servants during Friday's awards banquet at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA).

Grange was among a large gathering consisting of past and present netball administrators, players, Government officials and specially invited guests, who packed the hotel's Grand Jamaica Suite to recognise the achievements of one of the island's most decorated sporting bodies.

"I share your dream and whatever happens we will walk hand-in-hand," said Grange. "I wish to pay tribute to the administrations; past and present and the players past and present. I pay tribute to your sacrifices and selfless dedication. I am committed as the Minister of Sports, and I will do whatever humanly possible to convince the Prime Minister to find it from wherever it is possible ... and where he can't do everything, we will certainly do all we can to ensure that we give you all the support that you need to carry on."

brilliant work

She added: "I congratulate the JNA for 50 years of brilliant work, which has put Jamaica at the forefront of netball. What the JNA has done with the development of our netball is nothing short of phenomenal."

An equally impressed Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, who promised to do his best to aid the netball programme despite the economic challenges that face the country, echoed Grange's commitment and also promised to tackle some of the issues that currently stifle the sport's development.

"There are challenges that the girls face and it would be a great betrayal if after the tremendous performances we allow them to continue to wrestle with difficulties like this, so we are going to see how best we can address those," Golding said.

The function was the culmination of a year-long celebration that brought about several impressive accomplishments such as the country's silver medal at the World Netball FastNet Series earlier this month; the Under-21 team's bronze medal finish at the World Youth Netball Championships; the Under-16 team's domination of the Caribbean championships and the Sunshine Girls' recent tied series against netball hierarchy Australia and New Zealand, the world number one and two teams respectively.

proud

JNA president, Marva Bernard, was proud of the organisation's strides and believes the recent successes will go a long way in repositioning the sport as a favourite among local sports lovers.

"It is a pleasure to be here to celebrate this historic moment in the life of the Jamaica Netball Association," Bernard said. "Let us take the opportunity tonight to truly celebrate as there is much to be proud of."

She added: "This 50th Anniversary celebration is important to reposition netball as a dominant sport in Jamaica and to raise public awareness about our achievements. I expect that these last two weeks will see the dawn of a new era in the life of our sport."