NHT Sponsorship to Netball Jamaica Signals Continued Partnership

Minister with Responsibility for Sport, Hon. Natalie Neita Headley on Friday, (May 1) presented Netball Jamaica with a cheque in the amount of $500,000 signalling the continuation of a partnership between the National Housing Trust (NHT) and Netball Jamaica for the implementation of Community Outreach initiatives.

Since 2006, Netball Jamaica has been working in partnership with the NHT to provide role models and training for young ladies and girls in various NHT developed communities.

“Netball Jamaica is interested in more than just preparing our Sunshine Girls to win medals and championships, we believe that we play an important role in creating role models for at-risk girls and young ladies across the island who could benefit from learning to play netball and discovering themselves,” said Marva Bernard, president of Netball Jamaica.  Mrs. Bernard also noted that all the members of the national netball teams are students of high schools, or tertiary institutions, or tertiary graduates.

Jamaica’s national netball team, the Sunshine Girls are preparing for the Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia in August. The National Association has launched a campaign to raise funds to support the team’s preparation and participation in the Games.

“The role of sport in Jamaica is critical in nation-building and therefore when support is given to the sport industry we are making our contribution to positive growth. This is another way in which the Government is demonstrating its support to Netball Jamaica and the Sunshine Girls. The Government remains committed to the advancement of sport in Jamaica and its support to sport development is unwavering,” said Minister Neita Headley.