Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has expressed the hope that Netball Jamaica’s Major and Minor leagues will continue honing the development of players to make the national team remain a formidable force in international competitions.
Chloleen Daley-Muschett, SVL’s corporate communications and public relations manager, stated that desire while noting their delight to be involved with two of the country’s biggest netball leagues because of a partnership with local sports’ apex body, the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA).
“Supreme Ventures is proud to return as main sponsor of the Netball Jamaica Major and Minor leagues,” said Daley-Muschett. “We’ve had a long history of supporting sports in Jamaica, and we’re pleased to continue to empower another generation of netballers to showcase their skill and talent on the court.”
Both the Major and Minor League competitions got under way recently and will see a busy schedule of matches at netball’s home, the Leila Robinson Courts.
Tricia Robinson, president of Netball Jamaica, also pointed to the value of the SVL leagues in the sport’s growth.
“This is a big year for netball, (with) the Central American and Caribbean Games in July and the Netball World Cup that culminates in August,” Robinson said.
The national team is now playing at the CAC Games, where the sport is making its debut. That is mainly to the influence and lobbying of the JOA, whose executive played a critical role in securing a spot at the games for the sport as part of their overall contribution to the sport’s development through sponsorship of the leagues, the national teams, and its programme.
The Sunshine Girls are scheduled to play their first-ever CAC games in an all-Caribbean matchup against Barbados today in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Pointing to the transitional effect of the local leagues, Robinson said: “Many of the ladies who are representing us in those competitions got their start in this league, and we thank Supreme Ventures for their continued support.”
Significantly more teams are participating this season, a direct result of the waning impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted sporting competitions for nearly three years.
For Netball Jamaica’s combined Major, Minor and Intermediate leagues last year, only 31 teams took part. This time, the numbers have more than doubled to 65. Ten teams will be involved in the Major League, an elite competition with many players who have been part of the national set-up at varying levels. The Minor League comprises 25 outfits.
Dwayne Gutzmer, chair of the organising committee for Netball Jamaica’s leagues, highlighted initiatives of Supreme Ventures that will enhance the players’ experience.
“The committee works tirelessly to ensure that everything is in place for a smooth execution of the competition,” he shared.
“We couldn’t ask for a better sponsor, as, in addition to covering the costs associated with the Major and Minor Leagues, Supreme Ventures will also provide baskets for the Supreme Player of the Match in each game,” said Gutzmer.
