Government Congratulates Victorious Under 16 Netball Team

Government Congratulates Victorious Under 16 Netball Team

The Government of Saint Lucia and Ministry of Youth & Sports proudly congratulates the
victorious St. Lucia Under-16 Netball team following their historic victory in the recently
completed Jean Pierre Memorial Under-16 championship held in St Kitts from April 8th to 18th, 2011.  Government praises highly the achievement of the team which secured the first ever victory for Saint Lucia in the regional championship which has been staged now for the past twelve (12) years. The victory is timely in context as it was recorded during the commemoration of Youth Month, which is held during the month on April annually.

The victory of our Saint Lucian girls in this prestigious competition is undoubtedly a reflection of hard work, discipline and commitment to success. The team demonstrated determination and high quality performance by getting past traditional “power houses” Trinidad, Jamacia and St Vincent to be crowned as regional Under-16 Netball champions. The determination of the Saint Lucian team was symbolized in their final game when they hammered Dominica 51 – 7 and moved to a 7 – 1 record with 36 points and a 1.84 goal average.

Government places on record its recognition and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of the support personnel who were instrumental in the success of the team. The support personnel comprised the coaching unit lead by Shem Maxwell – Netball Coach attached to the Ministry of Social Transformation Youth and Sports, with her assistant Michelle Rogers – Physical Education Teacher from the Gros Islet Secondary School.  The team was managed by Mary Ann Martial Montoute – Physical Education Teacher at the St. Joseph’s Convent. Government applauds the yeoman service provided by these individuals towards the continued development of netball in St. Lucia. The contribution of the private sector through the Bank of Saint Lucia, which provided major sponsorship and other private sector entities is also recognized. The Ministry of Youth & Sports also provided major sponsorship to enable the team’s participation in the competition.

The victorious Under-16 Netball team was met at the George Charles Airport on the return to the island on Saturday, April 17th, 2011 by Prime Minister Hon. Stephenson King and Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Lenard Montoute who congratulated the team on behalf of the Government and people of Saint Lucia. During the welcome ceremony held at the VIP Lounge of the Airport, Minister Montoute expressed his gratification for the demonstrated support for the team by Parents and noted that this augurs well for the development of the sport. The Minister went on to commend five (5) members of the Saint Lucian team who were selected to form part of a seventeen (17) member Caribbean Netball team. Prime Minister King on the other hand pledged his Government’s commitment towards supporting the growth of the team, which he referred to as a future Saint Lucian team of world standard. The Prime Minister then went on to  announce that he will approve the financing of an international coach from New Zealand or England to work with the champion Saint Lucia Under-16 team.

In addition to winning the coveted title which they captured for the very first time having placed fourth behind Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago last year, the Saint Lucian team also won the award for the best defensive team while Catherine Edmund of St. Joseph’s Convent won the President Award. The 2011 Jean Pierre Memorial Under-16 championship Saint Lucia team comprises the following individuals:

Chattany Justin                                     Babonneau Secondary School
Lisa Casimir                                                                 “
Cevelle Huggings                                 Corinth Secondary
Antonia Jn. Pierre                                 Micoud Secondary School
Ianna Hippolyte                                    Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School
Chenna Prospere                                                         “
Catherine Edmund                                St. Joseph’ s Convent
Tonya Tobiere                                                               “
Jeanique Etienne
Valencia Classe                                      Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School
Joann Anderson                                                                     “
Nena Joseph                                                                          “
Racquelle Peaches Wilson                     Vide Bouteille Secondary School

The Saint Lucia Under-16 Netball team was captained by Valencia Classe of the Vieux Fort
Comprehensive School. Government is proud of the leadership and sporting excellence displayed by our Under-16 Netball team. Government will continue to provide the necessary support to facilitate and bolster the success of the team.

Bank of Saint Lucia Congratulates National U-16 Netball Team

Bank of Saint Lucia wishes to congratulate the Saint Lucia National Under-16 Netball Team on winning the 12th annual Under-16 Caribbean Netball Championships in Saint Kitts. As a major sponsor of the team for the last several years, the bank is extremely pleased with the team’s success as champions of this year’s regional tournament. The team’s achievement has certainly proven that Saint Lucia is a serious contender in the arena of regional sports.

Bank of Saint Lucia would like to hail the hard work of the young ladies on the team, the coaching staff and management of the Saint Lucia National Netball Association. This is indeed a major accomplishment for the young netballers who have persevered over the years and have finally emerged as champions. Bank of Saint Lucia is proud to have been a partner with the Saint Lucia National Netball Association in its drive to promote and develop the sport and the young women who are empowered by their participation in it.