Bajans Off to South Africa

Barbados has named it squad for the upcoming SPAR Challenge 3 test series in South Africa from October 22 to 25. It contains three new comers from the last team which came third in the AFNA tournament.

According to a Nation Newspaper report today the squad includes: Laurel Browne, Lisa Puckerin, Nikita Piggott, Kizzy Marville, Sabrina Smith, Shekira Boxill, Dionne Quarless, Natalie Miller, Lydia Bishop, Sherry Martindale, Shakira Springer, Janelle Sealy, Harriet Waithe (senior coach), Sandra Bruce-Small (assistant coach), Sonia Moore (manager) and Andrew Simpson (primary care/physiotherapist)

Newcomers are former Barbados Under-16 captain Shakira Springer, Shekira Boxill and Natalie Miller who have replaced Springer Memorial schoolgirl Jeneice Clarke, captain Don Small and Rhe-Ann Niles who have returned to the United States.

Barbados Netball Association president Octavia Gibson is reported as having said that "this should be a very competitive series since South Africa are ranked ninth and Barbados 11th in the world" and that it was critical for Barbados as they seek to earn a place among the Top 12 nations which will be competing at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The team leaves on Friday afternoon.

This all begs the question. Where did the Barbados Netball Association suddenly find the money. How come Barbados can find the funds to go all the way to South Africa to play one country and could not meet their obligation to Singapore just about two months ago?