By Tiadi Blair
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony is calling for the administrators of the sport of netball to effect changes which could result in new energy being brought to the sport.

Participating teams in the 2009 U-16 netball competition and award winners of the Guyana Netball Association.

Dr. Anthony made the call at the Appreciation Award Ceremony held recently at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The event began in the early part of the morning with a march past from the National Cultural Centre to the CASH l tarmac where executive members, affiliated clubs and teams participating in an U-16 competition were awaiting.

The event coincided with the visit of Caribbean Netball Association president Kathy Harper-Hall who addressed the current state of netball in the region.

“Netball is a predominantly female sport that needs to be pushed into the limelight. A lot is invested into cricket but the popularity of that sport has gone down. If women push netball forward we can find more women playing,” Harper-Hall declared.

She said that at the U-16 netball competition held in Jamaica last April, even though the Guyanese team lost all their games they won the hearts of many adding that there was a willingness to assist the GNA in any future endeavour.

Dr. Anthony said there were in excess of 30 sporting clubs in Guyana but GNA was one of the few that host annual award ceremonies.

“Within a year we would like to see a netball competition running in the schools and within a year at least 10 schools should be taking part. If that target is reached the Ministry will sponsor such a competition.”

In the special awards category Coach of the Year went to Lawrence Kellman while Player of the Year 2008 went to Shonette Estwick who is also captain of the national under 16 team.

Outstanding executive members were also recognized including Lawrence Griffith who has been a long standing member serving a decade within the association in different positions.

Shondel Samaroo, Donna Boston and Tracy O’Neal were also acknowledged for their work in the GNA.

Outstanding life member award went to Jeanette Lovell who has served the GNA for some 47 years in the roles of coach and umpire.