The netball fraternity on the island has opted for continuity in the management of its affairs for the next three years.
On Saturday, at the conference room of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, Regina Walsh was returned at the helm of the organization for yet another term.
Walsh, who is serving her third three-year term as president of the Dominica Netball Association, defeated Verna Graham by seven votes to three during the association’s Annual General Meeting which was held on Saturday, 19th December, 2020.
The rest of the executive comprises Verna Graham as the Vice President, while Korlita Hamilton and Mavis Williams will serve as the General Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Elizabeth Xavier Dailey will serve as the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. Josette Seraphine Hedrington was elected as the Public Relations Officer. The rest of the leadership includes Alice Jno Jules, Jennifer Nantan, and Decima Royer who will all serve as Committee Members.
While briefing netballers for the period under review, the president bemoaned the lack of interest shown in the sport by the players. She said that she hoped that 2021 would bring greater success for the association.
She cited the lack of community facilities as a major factor responsible for the slow growth and lack of interest shown in the sport. She opined that with the construction of the indoor facility at Massacre and the proposed multipurpose indoor facility at Stock Farm, netball should see an injection of interest.
In her report, Walsh extended congratulations to the many individuals who participated in various online netball courses. During the COVID-19 lockdown period, the likes of Verna Graham and Jennifer Nantan among others successfully completed a coaching course while the newly elected PRO, Josette Seraphine Hedrington participated in a governance course. These courses were sponsored by AFNA, the America’s Federation of Netball Association, of which the DNA is an affiliate.
Meanwhile, the president of the Dominica Olympic Committee, Billy Doctrove challenged the DNA to focus more on developing the game as opposed to concentrating on having competitions. He pledge the DOC’s support to the DNA.
A key aim of the Association for the upcoming period is to collaborate with organizations to help use sports as a tool to achieve sustainable development goals, aimed at capacity building.