Bajan Girls Showed Fight Against England - Strategic Plan Necessary

President of BNA Juanita Cordle making a point a last year's
U 16 Tournament in St. Kitts

According to Netball Planet Barbados made England work for their  five goal victory in the second test of their recent tour of England.  Not bad for the 11th Place team in the world versus the 3rd place.  Barbados has always had the talent and Anna Shepherd has my support as coach because she has been able to take Barbados (and Antigua) the highest placing in the world ranking of any senior coach we have ever had.  Her instincts are good, and as part of her decorated 1987 Scotland World Champion team and having played under Shepherd for a number of years, she is one of the few coaches in Barbados that doesn't pigeonhole players.

Of course England would have taken this scoreline very hard and the final game 71-42 defeat over Barbados came as no surprise being an old hand at the psychology of the game.  Barbados also is not fit enough physically nor mentally to take on the kind of assault that would have come from England's bruised egos.  The game would have however been a good learning experience for the team demonstrating how far they have to go.  The ability to raise their game despite injury both mental and physical and the resolve to dig deep down and proclaim that you are the best and play like it.  The difference at this level is fitness, strategy and belief.

With the foundation for a sound coaching team in place, Barbados needs to have a strategic plan for netball if we are to stop moving in a vicious unproductive circle.  President Juanita Cordle has to layout a strategic plan to take netball in Barbados forward.  Everyone loves a winner.  The Association must go after small victories to achieve the greater ones.  Netball Shots will be watching on closely and will give the Association its full support.