Does anyone remember in 1993 a row broke out in local netball? At that time Harriet Waithe was the coach of the national team which was preparing for the CNA tournament which was to be held in Montserrat.
Pamala Proverbs, then a national player was a student at UWI Mona Campus and was brought home by her club, COW Rangers to play in both the League and Knock-out competitions which would've made her eligible for the national team. The Board at that time felt that Pamala had not practiced enough with the national side and didn't name her in the final twelve. In support of their clubmate,COW Rangers' players and coach acted in solidarity and refused to go to Montserrat.Protestation or not the Board won out.
In 2005/6 after the BNA's Executive Council unceremoniously dumped Miss Sonya Knight as coach of the national team, the senior team at that time wrote a letter to the BNA requesting a meeting for clarity. SOUNDS FAMILIAR YET?? A petition by these players was signed, nothing was done and those players refused to attend trials. A TEAM STILL TOURED FROM BARBADOS. Protestation or not the Board won out.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the traces between the two situations.Coincidentally both were with the SENIOR team which has been the main reason that we have a global ranking.
I also said that to say this, THE BOARD ALWAYS WINS!!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Has the fat lady sang?
I have been following with interest over the past few days the controversy that is shaking the netball fraternity of Barbados to the core.
What is even more surprising are the negative comments being made by some persons who were members of the past few Executive Councils of which I was a member at some time. One former President has even been quick to say that the Board of the BNA has no leadership. DUH!!!!! Isn't it ironic that everyone who was a member of Council was of the opinion that we didn't have any democracy? Guess why the five year ban ? Somebody had to stand up to the Cuba that was in Barbados.
This former President criticizes and demeans what is obviously working to anyone who will listen to the LAVATORY MATTER( the buzz word for the week). Amazing now there are so many remedies and suggestions and when she was at the helm it was more valley than mountain. Yet again the only encouragement seems to be that which plunders the air over Arch Hall or permeates the atmosphere at Emmerton and Chapman Lane. SMELL IT!!!
One recent unofficial poll conducted in Waterford has shown that the only club willing to offer any measure of support to this President if she was even attempting a comeback would be Sion Hill. Interesting!
In an earlier blog, I advised the Board to keep on doing what is obviously working.From several conversations I've had with many influential persons across the sporting landscape including Principals, Administrators,Pastors, even netballers, there is only one logical thing to do regarding the U-21 team and it's ENTIRE management. DISMANTLE them and forget the Cook Islands. DON'T send them anywhere, PERIOD. What happens if they were in Cook Islands and didn't agree with breakfast, lunch even dinner? They've ran their last run as far as I am concerned.
I'm eagerly waiting to see what the Board will do as far as punishment?? is concerned, because the Barbados Netball Association has been publicly embarrassed. Remember the Executive Council as it was then and which I was a part of AND which the present U-21 MANAGER was also a part of alleged that I had also embarrassed the BNA and thus the five year ban??
Now the stakeholders, senior national team and coaches are livid that an unknown group of average netballers can pull such a stunt and want answers. The SELECTION COMMITTEE needs damage control and the netball fraternity want heads to roll.
ALL I KNOW NOW IS THAT THE BOARD HAS TO DO SOMETHING OR MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THAT THEY THEMSELVES BE CONSTRUCTIVELY DISMISSED TOO!!
What is even more surprising are the negative comments being made by some persons who were members of the past few Executive Councils of which I was a member at some time. One former President has even been quick to say that the Board of the BNA has no leadership. DUH!!!!! Isn't it ironic that everyone who was a member of Council was of the opinion that we didn't have any democracy? Guess why the five year ban ? Somebody had to stand up to the Cuba that was in Barbados.
This former President criticizes and demeans what is obviously working to anyone who will listen to the LAVATORY MATTER( the buzz word for the week). Amazing now there are so many remedies and suggestions and when she was at the helm it was more valley than mountain. Yet again the only encouragement seems to be that which plunders the air over Arch Hall or permeates the atmosphere at Emmerton and Chapman Lane. SMELL IT!!!
One recent unofficial poll conducted in Waterford has shown that the only club willing to offer any measure of support to this President if she was even attempting a comeback would be Sion Hill. Interesting!
In an earlier blog, I advised the Board to keep on doing what is obviously working.From several conversations I've had with many influential persons across the sporting landscape including Principals, Administrators,Pastors, even netballers, there is only one logical thing to do regarding the U-21 team and it's ENTIRE management. DISMANTLE them and forget the Cook Islands. DON'T send them anywhere, PERIOD. What happens if they were in Cook Islands and didn't agree with breakfast, lunch even dinner? They've ran their last run as far as I am concerned.
I'm eagerly waiting to see what the Board will do as far as punishment?? is concerned, because the Barbados Netball Association has been publicly embarrassed. Remember the Executive Council as it was then and which I was a part of AND which the present U-21 MANAGER was also a part of alleged that I had also embarrassed the BNA and thus the five year ban??
Now the stakeholders, senior national team and coaches are livid that an unknown group of average netballers can pull such a stunt and want answers. The SELECTION COMMITTEE needs damage control and the netball fraternity want heads to roll.
ALL I KNOW NOW IS THAT THE BOARD HAS TO DO SOMETHING OR MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THAT THEY THEMSELVES BE CONSTRUCTIVELY DISMISSED TOO!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Pull dem !
The reason/s behind last night's SIT-OUT by the BEST U-21 team EVER is still unclear, so I cannot go into any detail as to why it has happened.However without knowing WHY, this is what I do know. THE ENTIRE SQUAD AND IT'S MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE DISMISSED!
The silly concerns of those involved are not enough to bring an entire sport to a dismal standstill.Imagine me saying that,right? Some may say that when I defaulted a game three years ago that it was the same thing.WAS IT?
This team has never done ANYTHING as far as national duty is concerned, has never ACHIEVED anthing, but yet can decide that they have concerns?CONCERNS WHAT????? When a national team can be beaten by ANY club that is cause for serious concerns. Now comes this enormous amount of LAVATORY MATTER!
It is also disgusting that the ENTIRE management would allow such as well. No matter what issues any of them had ,they had no right to encourage this nonsense. Ways and means of improving frugality should be of upmost importance,not trying to fight the cause of others.What if the team was in the Cook Islands and something which they disliked had happened? Would the same SIT-OUT take place? Maybe,maybe not. More than likely it would be the same.
As one radio host said this morning on a local programme, netball is always shrouded in controversy.
I said it last night and I will say it again, PULL DEM!
The silly concerns of those involved are not enough to bring an entire sport to a dismal standstill.Imagine me saying that,right? Some may say that when I defaulted a game three years ago that it was the same thing.WAS IT?
This team has never done ANYTHING as far as national duty is concerned, has never ACHIEVED anthing, but yet can decide that they have concerns?CONCERNS WHAT????? When a national team can be beaten by ANY club that is cause for serious concerns. Now comes this enormous amount of LAVATORY MATTER!
It is also disgusting that the ENTIRE management would allow such as well. No matter what issues any of them had ,they had no right to encourage this nonsense. Ways and means of improving frugality should be of upmost importance,not trying to fight the cause of others.What if the team was in the Cook Islands and something which they disliked had happened? Would the same SIT-OUT take place? Maybe,maybe not. More than likely it would be the same.
As one radio host said this morning on a local programme, netball is always shrouded in controversy.
I said it last night and I will say it again, PULL DEM!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Protest what???
It is nothing short of AMAZING that a group of selfish netball players can attempt to hold a national body to ransom.
This tragic mess happened at the Netball Stadium tonight( 21-04-09) when the BEST U-21 squad decided that in apparent solidarity to their newly" dismissed" Board member ( heard it on the radio) and Manager of the squad, that THEY weren't training. Utter LAVATORY MATTER!!!
What is even more amazing and just as MIND-BOGGLING is that the management of the squad would allow such and then call themselves LEADERS??
Netball in Barbados is like Cheapside Market on Saturday mornings. Everybody knows everybody's business and the "concerns" that has caused the protestations are so crappy that it's like being in Las Vegas on a dull vacation in winter.
Here are some:
1 - Who in the 17. At this time and because of this S**T, not ONE!
2 - More recognition. WHY? This team cannot improve international ranking and since this childish stunt, should remain in Barbados.
Personally what issues the group might have,should never detract from the frivolity that is called practice. In this regard,they should spend all the time they can trying to hone what skills are available. Losing precious time by sitting on the stadium courts watching the senior team training has made them REGRESS in such a way that if people thought they were BAD when they were RUNNING marathons,it's going to be WORST now.
For the sake of a few and the voice of many, ask yourselves this: Protest what??
This tragic mess happened at the Netball Stadium tonight( 21-04-09) when the BEST U-21 squad decided that in apparent solidarity to their newly" dismissed" Board member ( heard it on the radio) and Manager of the squad, that THEY weren't training. Utter LAVATORY MATTER!!!
What is even more amazing and just as MIND-BOGGLING is that the management of the squad would allow such and then call themselves LEADERS??
Netball in Barbados is like Cheapside Market on Saturday mornings. Everybody knows everybody's business and the "concerns" that has caused the protestations are so crappy that it's like being in Las Vegas on a dull vacation in winter.
Here are some:
1 - Who in the 17. At this time and because of this S**T, not ONE!
2 - More recognition. WHY? This team cannot improve international ranking and since this childish stunt, should remain in Barbados.
Personally what issues the group might have,should never detract from the frivolity that is called practice. In this regard,they should spend all the time they can trying to hone what skills are available. Losing precious time by sitting on the stadium courts watching the senior team training has made them REGRESS in such a way that if people thought they were BAD when they were RUNNING marathons,it's going to be WORST now.
For the sake of a few and the voice of many, ask yourselves this: Protest what??
Monday, April 20, 2009
Yes or No
In a wide ranging interview on a local radio station this evening,a recently resigned Board member outlined reasons for her resignation and adamantly stated that her integrity was being questioned by the Board.
Should this person be allowed to operate as Manager of the U-21 team knowing that she cannot work with anyone who questions such integrity?
Only time will tell.
Should this person be allowed to operate as Manager of the U-21 team knowing that she cannot work with anyone who questions such integrity?
Only time will tell.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Gimme a break
It is apparent that my non-involvement with netball this season is really beginning to bother people. Ironic isn't it? For the past few weeks and even months,I have been highlighting and blogging about anything and everything relating to our present U-21 squad.
While some readers may think that what is being written here makes no sense at all, those same readers keep coming back for updates. So when they read here that a certain VERY important NAVIGATOR is of the opinion that I know what they don't, I hope they ask relevant questions. Pure lavatory matter!
What is equally surprising is that ANOTHER member of that squad was ( according to a long standing supporter of the sport) put out a meeting. I am not sure why this supporter would even think that I was remotely interested in what has/had happened,but I am not.
So here's where it stands now. I have practically stayed away because I have lost interest in the sport.PERIOD!! I do not have to think that my person is being attacked characteristically or that I am over-stepping my boundaries. I do not have to hasten in a panic to the head honcho asking stupid,moronic questions.Neither do I have to think that the BEST team ever is beginning to sag in the middle and no one knows how to PROP it up.
I made a decision and I am good with that. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
GIMME A BREAK!!
While some readers may think that what is being written here makes no sense at all, those same readers keep coming back for updates. So when they read here that a certain VERY important NAVIGATOR is of the opinion that I know what they don't, I hope they ask relevant questions. Pure lavatory matter!
What is equally surprising is that ANOTHER member of that squad was ( according to a long standing supporter of the sport) put out a meeting. I am not sure why this supporter would even think that I was remotely interested in what has/had happened,but I am not.
So here's where it stands now. I have practically stayed away because I have lost interest in the sport.PERIOD!! I do not have to think that my person is being attacked characteristically or that I am over-stepping my boundaries. I do not have to hasten in a panic to the head honcho asking stupid,moronic questions.Neither do I have to think that the BEST team ever is beginning to sag in the middle and no one knows how to PROP it up.
I made a decision and I am good with that. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
GIMME A BREAK!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
When cookies crumbled
If ever there was a time to do damage control in anything netball related that time is now and the first thing to repair is the BEST prepared U-21 team ever. Some of you readers may be asking why I have always used bold letters for the word BEST, sometime soon you will know.
The present core of those trialists hoping to make the 2009 team demonstrated that when the pressure is turned on,they will crumble. Defeating Spooners Hill seemed to be the target of those involved with this team, defeating SSSR wasn't.
It was unbelievable that any national team should be defeated by a club team despite what people will think.Earlier before the U-21s played an UNDERMANNED Spooners Hill, I asked whether the SHNC would be the team going to Cook Islands if they were winners or if the coach will be doing coaching duties?
Now that SSSR was victorious against our BEST U-21 team, will they get that chance? Are we going to see the colour green representing us in Cook Islands? Can anyone answer those questions?
We are in a state of unreadiness after the Raiders structurally damaged our BEST team EVER!!
The present core of those trialists hoping to make the 2009 team demonstrated that when the pressure is turned on,they will crumble. Defeating Spooners Hill seemed to be the target of those involved with this team, defeating SSSR wasn't.
It was unbelievable that any national team should be defeated by a club team despite what people will think.Earlier before the U-21s played an UNDERMANNED Spooners Hill, I asked whether the SHNC would be the team going to Cook Islands if they were winners or if the coach will be doing coaching duties?
Now that SSSR was victorious against our BEST U-21 team, will they get that chance? Are we going to see the colour green representing us in Cook Islands? Can anyone answer those questions?
We are in a state of unreadiness after the Raiders structurally damaged our BEST team EVER!!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Hear the crying of the lambs
Mistakes can be detected and mistakes can be corrected. At this point in time it is apparent that those famous words haven't reached the management of the U-21 camp and if they have, nobody has taken the time to understand them.
What is evident about the U-21 team is that it NEEDS Samantha Browne.Almost as talented as big sister Sabrina ( I had to include this),Samantha gave all she could last night ( 08-04-09) in a losing cause for the youth squad against SSR Raiders.Unfortunately she had no help at all when it mattered most as her teammates were almost as guilty as their opponents in trying to see which team could make the most mistakes.
What should be of equal concern is the combinations that we are forced to witness when the U-21 squad plays. Last night's fourth quarter was no different. Clearly it seemed and was whispered by those in the stands that this was the ELIMINATION quarter and somebody was in trouble. Hint hint - The GS and WD positions?? Maybe,maybe not.
So now a club team has defeated our BEST prepared team.What next? Should it have happened? One guy in the stand kept saying ,"Dem girls RUNNING real fast ya!" That was so true. He was however corrected by a female spectator who said, " Dis aint d Carifta Games,dem shud b playing netball not running like dem in St Lucia!"
Kudos to Makeba Clarke and Jahlesal Brathwaite who I think may be a defensive combination in the making and Ingrid Folkes ( SSSR).
What is evident about the U-21 team is that it NEEDS Samantha Browne.Almost as talented as big sister Sabrina ( I had to include this),Samantha gave all she could last night ( 08-04-09) in a losing cause for the youth squad against SSR Raiders.Unfortunately she had no help at all when it mattered most as her teammates were almost as guilty as their opponents in trying to see which team could make the most mistakes.
What should be of equal concern is the combinations that we are forced to witness when the U-21 squad plays. Last night's fourth quarter was no different. Clearly it seemed and was whispered by those in the stands that this was the ELIMINATION quarter and somebody was in trouble. Hint hint - The GS and WD positions?? Maybe,maybe not.
So now a club team has defeated our BEST prepared team.What next? Should it have happened? One guy in the stand kept saying ,"Dem girls RUNNING real fast ya!" That was so true. He was however corrected by a female spectator who said, " Dis aint d Carifta Games,dem shud b playing netball not running like dem in St Lucia!"
Kudos to Makeba Clarke and Jahlesal Brathwaite who I think may be a defensive combination in the making and Ingrid Folkes ( SSSR).
Sunday, April 5, 2009
What a scare!!
I can remember where I was when I was told that the 2009 U-21 team will be the BEST ever to represent Barbados. I can remember who said it as well. That was almost five months ago and I am still waiting on that prophesy to be fulfilled.
Yes the U-21 squad won their knock-out game against Spooners Hill, but was it a case where they won by outplaying or was it because of the lack of fitness and the tired AGED legs of the players from SHNC??
Remarkably Spooners Hill led the BEST U-21 squad by five at the half-time.Should that be? Even more remarkable was the fact defensively the GK was not playing at her best but made the shooters uncomfortable.Hmmmmmmmmm!.
Anyone who knows anything about netball in Barbados will know that Lydia"Lebron"Bishop is a power-house in the shooting circle and it was extremely difficult to single or double mark her by any of the four defenses used.Hmmmmmmmmmm!.
With the final score being 65-54 in favour of the U-21 squad, again I ask this question. Are we ready because of the win? Should Spooners Hill have scored that many goals? My honest answer is NO to both.
With less than four months before the WYC, it is unheard of that ANY national squad should be challenged in ANY way by ANY club on ANY level!!
Yes the U-21 squad won their knock-out game against Spooners Hill, but was it a case where they won by outplaying or was it because of the lack of fitness and the tired AGED legs of the players from SHNC??
Remarkably Spooners Hill led the BEST U-21 squad by five at the half-time.Should that be? Even more remarkable was the fact defensively the GK was not playing at her best but made the shooters uncomfortable.Hmmmmmmmmm!.
Anyone who knows anything about netball in Barbados will know that Lydia"Lebron"Bishop is a power-house in the shooting circle and it was extremely difficult to single or double mark her by any of the four defenses used.Hmmmmmmmmmm!.
With the final score being 65-54 in favour of the U-21 squad, again I ask this question. Are we ready because of the win? Should Spooners Hill have scored that many goals? My honest answer is NO to both.
With less than four months before the WYC, it is unheard of that ANY national squad should be challenged in ANY way by ANY club on ANY level!!
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