PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten is making history, said Martha Archer first vice president of the Americas Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA). Archer and Mona Alleyne secretary of AFNA are visiting the Friendly Island on an inspection tour to see if St. Maarten Netball Association can host the Youth Netball World Cup Qualifiers.
“It looks good,” said Alleyne. “So Far, we like what we see.” Approximately 12 age group Under 21 teams will compete from August 10 to 12, 2016 at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium.
The Americas Federation of Netball Associations is divided into five regions. There are Asia, Africa, Oceanic, Europe and the Americas. The top qualifying teams from each region will advance to the World Cup to be contested in Botswana in 2017.
“This is the first time we are holding qualified for the Youth Cup,” said Archer. “In the past it was just who submitted the paperwork on a first come first serve bases. This is a big step for us and historic for St. Maarten.” Archer smiled and continued, “It will be good for the Islands economy. All the athletes and most of the delegates are women, and they like to shop.”
The ladies toured the Sports Auditorium with the President of the St. Maarten Netball Association Javon Edwards and Lisa Timothy Monday. The group noted the metal ladders on the wall and determined they should be padded. They questioned the facility’s ventilation and whether it will be air conditioned. They discussed where the score keepers would sit and visibility and continued down a check list.
St. Maarten will have to host a test event and send in regular reports on the progress of preparations for the Qualifier.
Hosting the tournament automatically provides St. Maarten one team into the qualifiers. “We expect to make it to the next round,” beamed Timothy.
