Junior and senior squads set to tip off in Battle of the Saints Tournament
Cayman’s netball programme is heading overseas in historic fashion.
The Cayman Islands senior national netball team gets ready to head to St. Maarten for the four-team Battle of the Saints tournament.
“Netball makes history as its two National squads (Junior and Senior) compete in St. Maarten,” read a post on Cayman Islands Netball Association president Lucille Seymour’s Facebook page.
Cayman’s squads are set to tip off in the Battle of the Saints tournament 17-20 Oct. at the LB Scotts Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Cayman will be joined by Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Maarten.
“Playing in international tournaments, while challenging both from a financial perspective and commitment, is vital for upskilling our netball players to be the best,” Seymour told the Cayman Compass.
Cayman’s senior national team is currently ranked 35th in the world, according to the most recent International Netball Federation world rankings, released 21 July, making Cayman the highest-ranked team at the competition. St. Maarten is ranked 38th, Antigua and Barbuda is ranked 40th and St. Kitts and Nevis does not hold a world ranking.
While the tournament could provide a big boost in terms of rankings and experience, Seymour said the benefits go beyond the court.
“Netball is a sport that empowers players to be better citizens,” she said. “As president, I am happy to have the two teams participate on St. Maarten as I know they will go far beyond winning the game. I wish to thank the public and the government for the chance they give women and girls in sport.”
Cayman makes its tournament debut Thursday, 17 Oct. at 8am Cayman time against Antigua and Barbuda.
“You are ambassadors of the Cayman Islands,”netba Seymour posted on her social media page.
“We hope that the Netballers, when they return, will use their netball skills to empower others as they were empowered.”
https://www.caymancompass.com/2019/10/15/cayman-netballers-make-historic-trip-to-st-maarten/