It is now history that Barbados has finally won a game at the Netball World Cup 2015..albeit against the weakest country in the competition. What the many supporters of the Barbados Gems may not know is that the Gems were the coaches of themselves in this and games prior to this maiden victory.
With this in mind and knowing that the coaches failed to do their job on any level, is it fair to those with the sport at heart that these individuals be allowed to remain?
Between the years 2009 - 2011, it was a given that a coaching programme with the improvement of the national team as the main focus be presented to the Barbados Netball Association. Such programme was implemented and the advancement of netball started.
In 2012m I had thrown my hat in the ring for the post of Vice President of the Barbados Netball Association. On the night of the elections, the old vanguards who believed that netball was theirs
came to "make sure that Cameron didn't win". On that said night, the present national coach openly shouted "WE TEKKING BACK WE SPORT!"
The 'taking back of the sport' has now caused the country major embarrassment in more ways than one causing the same old vanguards to be shocked into silence.
With regional sports commentators,journalists and other personalities asking the same question, are we going to allow the pretenders to remain in charge in any capacity or are we willing to speak as a concerned nation and ask for ALL resignations?
It is also public knowledge based on reports and carried in the media, that the emphasis was on beating Trinidad, which means that no consideration was given into competing against Australia or New Zealand. A realistic approach to the Calypso Girls was also not implemented realising that we were defeated by the same team at the AFNA qualifiers last year.
It was also public knowledge that finishing in a higher position than 2011 would've further cemented the thinking that the coach of the Barbados team then was not in the same bracket.Fortunately.....that is true...HE'S BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!
The sport was taken back and it is now in a comatose state. Who will be saddled with the responsibility to resuscitate it?
If we allow the present crop to do so...IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL will be the anthem of this sport.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
0 - 5....Sunglasses of embarrassment
"We tekking back we sport!"
With those five words, the sport of netball was given back to the individual who would ultimately lead us into the 2015 Netball World Cup.
With those five words, the Barbados Gems have been the brunt of public scrutiny, harsh comments and shocking defeats.
With those five words, the ranking of Barbados seems heading for a downward spiral.
After shocking the netball world with the insane prediction that the Gems would defeat the top two countries in the world, the Gems have lost three straight games through POOR coaching decisions with two of the defeats coming to teams ranked lower than Barbados.
For some stupid reason, the target coming into NWC was to defeat Trinidad and Tobago. We lost that one 39-55. Trinidad is ranked 10th.
We were expected to win against Scotland. We lost 34-37. Scotland is ranked 11th.
I do not know what the thinking was going into the game against Fiji but it I'm sure that the emphasis would've been on winning. We lost that one too 37-48. Fiji is ranked higher at 7th.
Now we play the lowest of the low in all the teams - Sri Lanka and with what has been happening in Sydney...don't be surprised if ..... Sri Lanka is ranked 22nd.
I applaud the twelve girls who are in Sydney...I do not applaud or support the asinine decisions that have made them the laughing stock of anyone who knows the game.
That being said, when the Barbados Netball Association made it clear that there's a no tolerance policy to anything which might bring the game into disrepute, I am sure it extended to this present management.
You have weighed in the balance and found wanted. Leave the girls to coach themselves and take a trip to GAIA.
With those five words, the sport of netball was given back to the individual who would ultimately lead us into the 2015 Netball World Cup.
With those five words, the Barbados Gems have been the brunt of public scrutiny, harsh comments and shocking defeats.
With those five words, the ranking of Barbados seems heading for a downward spiral.
After shocking the netball world with the insane prediction that the Gems would defeat the top two countries in the world, the Gems have lost three straight games through POOR coaching decisions with two of the defeats coming to teams ranked lower than Barbados.
For some stupid reason, the target coming into NWC was to defeat Trinidad and Tobago. We lost that one 39-55. Trinidad is ranked 10th.
We were expected to win against Scotland. We lost 34-37. Scotland is ranked 11th.
I do not know what the thinking was going into the game against Fiji but it I'm sure that the emphasis would've been on winning. We lost that one too 37-48. Fiji is ranked higher at 7th.
Now we play the lowest of the low in all the teams - Sri Lanka and with what has been happening in Sydney...don't be surprised if ..... Sri Lanka is ranked 22nd.
I applaud the twelve girls who are in Sydney...I do not applaud or support the asinine decisions that have made them the laughing stock of anyone who knows the game.
That being said, when the Barbados Netball Association made it clear that there's a no tolerance policy to anything which might bring the game into disrepute, I am sure it extended to this present management.
You have weighed in the balance and found wanted. Leave the girls to coach themselves and take a trip to GAIA.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Barbados Gems...who are they?
What is a Gem? A Gem is a precious or semi-precious stone especially when it is cut or polished or engraved with a monetary value in mind.
Who are the Barbados Gems? A group of highly talented and skillful individuals given the task of representing Barbados.
The recent spate of negative convos, articles and even blog posts have always been about the coaching or lack of coaching for these Gems. While it is true that some responsibility has to be taken by them, it is would also be wrong not to try to see things from their side.
I might never know the inner and true feelings on how they function as individuals off court or why they didn't show more honesty when given the forum to do so but I will try to understand how they are functioning in the present situation.
I believe that with little coaching the twelve individuals given the responsibility as ambassadors are hoping to fight against whatever odds ( SIDELINE) and play to their best. I also believe that in hoping to shine as they should will require more polishing from those who 'owns' them.
I will say this and make no bones about it. While I support the Barbados Gems, I cannot support the offcourt 'ownership' knowing that better can be done.
So who are the 2015 Barbados Gems?
Kizzy Marville
Sabreena Smith
Nikita Piggott
Rheann Niles
Latonia Blackman
Faye Sealy
Shonica Wharton
Shanice Rock
Cherise Seale
Shonette Bruce
Samantha Browne
Sheniqua Thomas
The fight is real!
Who are the Barbados Gems? A group of highly talented and skillful individuals given the task of representing Barbados.
The recent spate of negative convos, articles and even blog posts have always been about the coaching or lack of coaching for these Gems. While it is true that some responsibility has to be taken by them, it is would also be wrong not to try to see things from their side.
I might never know the inner and true feelings on how they function as individuals off court or why they didn't show more honesty when given the forum to do so but I will try to understand how they are functioning in the present situation.
I believe that with little coaching the twelve individuals given the responsibility as ambassadors are hoping to fight against whatever odds ( SIDELINE) and play to their best. I also believe that in hoping to shine as they should will require more polishing from those who 'owns' them.
I will say this and make no bones about it. While I support the Barbados Gems, I cannot support the offcourt 'ownership' knowing that better can be done.
So who are the 2015 Barbados Gems?
Kizzy Marville
Sabreena Smith
Nikita Piggott
Rheann Niles
Latonia Blackman
Faye Sealy
Shonica Wharton
Shanice Rock
Cherise Seale
Shonette Bruce
Samantha Browne
Sheniqua Thomas
The fight is real!
Bombed!
"It is with much regret that we announce that the epic blockbuster remake NETBALL2015 has bombed globally and is will be heading straight to DVD."
This announcement came earlier today via a text message from the office of the major stakeholder of the film , the Barbados Netball Association - after the Barbados Gems lost the highly anticipated battle at the box office to the Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Girls.
With the original feature COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2006 as a reminder, it was hoped that Sydney 2015 would've fared better despite the rehiring of the leading actress from 2006,
It wasn't to be!
The writing should've been on the wall after a private showing which left the stakeholders dumbfounded that after what was perceived to be a hit and the injection of thousands...NETBALL2015 was a certain flop.
Without wanting to offend the leading lady for fear of not finding a suitable replacement the BNA remained quiet allowing the crew to be ridiculed and threatened to be fired.
The outcome of all this suffering and public embarrassment was played on the big screen to an audience hoping for a hit for the sake of country. Instead they saw the result of a feature film devoid of any structure.
Now who takes the blame for this dud? Who will be fired,axed,or held accountable for the shame brought to country?
It was a different script from Melbourne 2006 BUT the leading lady was the same AND the results were the same.
This announcement came earlier today via a text message from the office of the major stakeholder of the film , the Barbados Netball Association - after the Barbados Gems lost the highly anticipated battle at the box office to the Trinidad and Tobago Calypso Girls.
With the original feature COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2006 as a reminder, it was hoped that Sydney 2015 would've fared better despite the rehiring of the leading actress from 2006,
It wasn't to be!
The writing should've been on the wall after a private showing which left the stakeholders dumbfounded that after what was perceived to be a hit and the injection of thousands...NETBALL2015 was a certain flop.
Without wanting to offend the leading lady for fear of not finding a suitable replacement the BNA remained quiet allowing the crew to be ridiculed and threatened to be fired.
The outcome of all this suffering and public embarrassment was played on the big screen to an audience hoping for a hit for the sake of country. Instead they saw the result of a feature film devoid of any structure.
Now who takes the blame for this dud? Who will be fired,axed,or held accountable for the shame brought to country?
It was a different script from Melbourne 2006 BUT the leading lady was the same AND the results were the same.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
I have a dream...
What is a coach? What makes a good coach? Are their characteristics to being a coach or even a good coach?
A coach is generally seen as a teacher, a mentor, a role model, a confidant and may even be seen as a friend PLUS a coach REMEMBERS!!!!!
A coach should remember saying that:
A coach is generally seen as a teacher, a mentor, a role model, a confidant and may even be seen as a friend PLUS a coach REMEMBERS!!!!!
A coach should remember saying that:
“We are ready to create the biggest upset ever by defeating both the number one and the number two seeds. It will be very, very difficult, but it is not impossible," ( http://www.sportsmax.tv)
Was the above quote an attempt at Comedy101 or the thinking of a human being saddled with the responsibility of preparing a team for the biggest competition of that sport?
Sure Barbados was drawn in a zone with three top ten countries but as any good coach knows...the focus should be on setting realistic goals ( pun intended) and not letting the world know that in our country....we don't only speak dialect..we also speak LAVATORY MATTER!
There was an 'intensive six days a week' training programme put in place where from all indications worked 'wonders' as evidenced by the LOW scores and POOR level of netball shown in the LOCAL domestic competition ( division 1). There were gym sessions, spin sessions and even a few beep tests thrown in for good measure.
What never happened was effective and efficient coaching!!!!!!!
On to Sydney and World #2 ( New Zealand Silver Ferns)and we lost 28-73....chalk it down to jetlag as the team had arrived in Australia exactly one day before the tournament started.
Day two and it's the World #1 ( Australia Diamonds) and again we lost 16-83. ONLY 16??????
So the upset minded coach who said to the netballing world that the Barbados Gems could've done the impossible....reminded the netballing world that sometimes to speak is to reveal a high level of DUMBfoolery!
Such foolery defies the logic of the starting seven in the Australia Diamonds game....
Nikita Piggott ( GS) Sheniqua Thomas ( GA) Cherise Seale(WA)Latonia Blackman(C)KizzyMarville(WD)Rheann Niles(GD)Shonette Bruce(GK)
REALLY????
As it stands, the Gems are 0-2 from pool play with Trinidad and Tobago next. 0-3 is a high possibility.
I was told via facebook that there should be a firing of the coach via a text message. I was told via a whatsapp message that the President of the Barbados Netball Association should also be fired.Hmmm!
Is there even a slight possibility that either of the two will happen or at the very least ONE?
To whom much is given...much is expected!
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