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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Sponsors laud winning Sunshine Girls</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Observer Reporter
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>Digicel has extended congratulations to the national Under-16 netball team on their recent victory in the Jean Pierre Regional Youth Championship in Trinidad &amp; Tobago.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Maurice Bryan, Digicel's sponsorship and promotions manager, took time to celebrate with the young Sunshine Girls at a special function at Alhambra Inn, after their arrival in the island last Saturday.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Girls' road to victory saw them winning all eight games played at the Championship. They clinched the tournament by defeating defending champions Barbados, 38-16 in their final match.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"We... are extremely proud of the girls and elated at their unbeaten record at the Regional Championships... We want to commend you on your outstanding performance," said Bryan.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"As sponsors of the Under-16 team and the Sunshine Girls, we are confident that the future of netball in Jamaica is very bright. Keep up the great work."<P class=StoryText align=justify>Bryan praised the coaching staff as well: "The coaching team has been doing a consistent job in preparing the girls for the competitive challenges. They have kept them focused and very prepared physically and mentally."<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to Bryan, his company will continue to support the development of the sport in Jamaica.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Meanwhile, Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), is still beaming over the recent achievement of the Young Sunshine Girls.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"Noting that they lost the top spot to Barbados last year, she said the team feels vindicated with their unbeaten run this year.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"I'm very elated. With this tremendous success we feel a sense of validation of building a solid foundation for not just the junior programme, but the senior programme," said Bernard.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Sonya Hamilton of the JNA shared similar sentiments: "We are all on cloud nine. We're totally pleased, especially with the number of special prizes which the girls received," she said.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The team walked away with eight awards, including Best Goal Average, Most Accurate Shooting Team, Most Disciplined Team, Champion Team and Champion Trophy.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Christina Salmon copped two prizes: the Most Accurate Shooter Award and the Most Valuable Player Award, while Lianne McNaughton received the Award for Academic Excellence.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Pointing to the top-quality skills and team spirit of the girls, in executing their wins, Hamilton said, "Their success speaks to a great future for netball in Jamaica. We're going to nurture them and ensure they move from strength to strength, so that their excellence... will continue when they reach... the ... Under-21 team."<P class=StoryText align=justify>Digicel entered into a J$5-Million commitment with the JNA for the development of the national Under-16 team, as well as the senior team.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The first tranche of $1 million will be provided next year and will be used to underwrite the cost of the Sunshine Girls' participation at the World Championships in Fiji, from July 10 to 21 next year.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Digicel is also the title sponsor of the Inter-Secondary Schools' Sports Association (ISSA) schoolgirl league.