BBC News: Netballers Thrive In Barbados
[Written by Gary Foster Skelton, Bermuda Broadcasting Co.]
Two games into the Jean Pierre Under-16 Netball Tournament in Barbados, and Bermuda’s girls have already netted two wins.
A great start on Saturday saw Bermuda beat Trinidad and Tobago 24 to 13, while in a tougher match on Sunday they managed to defeat last year’s host St. Lucia 31 to 29.
Bermuda goalscorers Donnauri Robinson and Zekiah Lewis have 32 and 23 goals respectively in the tournament so far.
Bermuda won only once in the 2015 Jean Pierre Tournament, so yesterday’s victory already puts the 2016 team ahead of last year’s.
Coaches Kimale Evans and Anthony Mouchette spoke to Ian Rawlins and Clyde Best today during Inside Sports on the Bermuda Broadcasting Company’s Power 95 radio station. Evans spoke of the 2015 team’s struggles: “One of the problems we had was the mental fatigue, where we lost focus. The girls definitely seem to be a lot more focused this year.”
Talking about the first match, Evans added: “We owed Trinidad something… we wanted to win that game. Everybody was pumped! … The momentum also carried over and gave [the team] some hope and belief to potentially win more games. We took that same energy and spirit into our second game, and we were able to come out victorious”
Commenting on the team’s different approach this year, Anthony Mouchette said, “We have a more attack-minded game.” The coaches had asked the Bermuda Netball Association if, during training, Under-16 players could play with the senior league players, “so most of our players have also had senior league experience. It has helped a lot.”
Bermuda face defending champions Barbados tonight at 8:30pm [Bermuda time].
[Watch the video for more of Ian Rawlins' interview with the U16 coaches]
Note: Bernews is temporarily helping Bermuda Broadcasting Company by sharing its stories online. The station’s TV equipment is undergoing repair after being hit by lightning.
