Emanie Netball Club won the Digicel-sponsored Open league netball tournament after defeating Doves by 47 goals to 16 in the final played Saturday on the tarmac of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
All Stars club finished third.
Robin Thomas was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament and Angeline McCarthy the finals MVP.
Prizes were also awarded to Lashana Wilson who was adjudged the best wing attack and Althea Mingo who was devlared the best goal attack.
Other prizes went to Michelle Subrattie, the best goal keeper, Tamakia Waterman, the best wing defense and best centre Lavern Fraser-Thomas.
President of the Guyana Netball Association (GNA) Kim Kyte-John said that the association was satisfied with the tournament, but most of all was heartened with the performance of the players.
The competition, she said, was not about which time won or which team lost, but that each player did their best. According to Kyte-John the competition showed the unification of the teams who competed.
Kyte-John also said that special thanks should be extended to Digicel for making the competition possible.
This she said was the first step as the GNA will be introducing the sport to every level of the education system.
Meanwhile, Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, Gavin Hope, said that the GNA should be commended for a well-organised tournament. According to Hope, it was hoped that this competition will return the sport to what it once was.
Hope said much like his company’s tag line ‘Bigger and Better’ was what he is expecting from the GNA when it organizes next year’s tournament.
He challenged association to double the number of teams participating and also said that next year’s tournament should also feature school teams.
Having the sport being played in schools, Hope opined, will ensure the longevity of the sport. Also each player was asked to bring a friend, not just as a spectator, but to become a member.
The competition which started close to one month ago saw four teams competing; Emanie, Doves of Berbice, All Stars and Fearless Flyers of New Opportunity Corps.
With the sponsorship from the phone giants, the association was able to have games played in all three counties; Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo.
