My Views On the Jamaica Tri-Series

My friends have been asking me why I haven't commented on the games in Jamaica. Well I haven't because I really have mixed feeling about the tournament and although this is my blog and my views, I still try not to be overly biased (even if I appear to be).

Since you forced me here are my thought. I consider myself a CARICOM national. Maybe this is because I was fortunate to go to university in Jamaica and live with some of the best minds in the Caribbean on the Mona Campus. So I get really pissed off when I see Caribbean people not using their collective wisdom, not collaborating and being played (literally and figuratively) for fools.

Here are some of the questions that I have. Before Barbados took the excursion in South Africa did they think of playing Trinidad and Jamaica beforehand to prepare? Did they consider that their ranking would be at stake?

I read that Trinidad was optimistic about their performance in Jamaica. From where did this optimism come? What has Trinidad done in the line of preparing for competition since the Caribbean Tournament?

Did they consider that their own ranking would be at stake? Did they stop over in Barbados on their way to Jamaica to get some practice matches? Well everyone knows by now the outcome of the tournament.

I read that the spectator turn out was poor. What level of promotion did Jamaica do?

In my estimation the only team benefiting from the tri-series was South Africa. Even Jamaica although they appear to be the victors, were losers -the spectator turn out was poor and in the final match South Africa matched them up to the third quarter and then faded.

Of course Jamaica has been tooting that they are playing a number of under 21s in preparation for next year's world championships but you can bet your bottom dollar that South Africa must be as well.

As a matter of fact the South African coach is reported to have said that the tri-series was "mission accomplished" they had intended to reach the final and to move up in the world ranking and they did both.

Congrats South Africa. However there is no pleasure in this tournament for me as a CARICOM national.

The only positive thing coming out of the tournament for us in the Caribbean is that we have two new IUAs.

Joel and Dave love you guys and I am very happy for you. You both deserve it!

(Pictures above are of Joel Young-Strong (Trinidad) and Dave Brown (Jamaica), the Caribbean's newest international umpires).

Log Edited for Clarification( For persons reading the original version of this post. Testing (IUA) can be done at different time frames. This was not my prior understanding. )

South Africa Has A Good Chance Against Trinidad

The South African teams leaves for Jamaica today for the tri-series (Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa) and Sports 24 reports that the Bajan Coach, Harriet Waithe said after her team's series against South Africa that she believed the Proteas had a good chance against Trinidad and Tobago.

From umpiring the final game Jamaica vs Trinidad in the AFNA Championships this year. I would say that if South Africa only have a "good chance" at beating Trinidad then they have no hope of beating Jamaica at home.

Click on the picture for the entire story.

Barbados Loses First Test to South Africa

Barbados suffered their first defeat in their three test series against South Africa last night. The SABC news reports that the Proteas beat their opponents 43-34 in the first test in the Spar Challenge series played at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town.

The South African coach was able to give 11 of her 12-member squad playing time. Although South Africa lost possession at times they remained in control throughout the match.

No specifics on the Bajans were given however it would appear that they had a pretty decent third quarter.

Netballers Ready to Face Barbados

21 October 2008
Linda Moreotsene

The Sowetan reports that the South African national netball team is applying the final touches before their first Test match against Barbados tomorrow in Cape Town.

Griqualand West centre court player Liezel Wium was named captain of the team last week, with Precious Mthembu vice captain.

Wium, 31, is experienced and has spent two years playing in New Zealand, one of the world’s top netball countries.

To read the full story go to

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=867103

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?