Saint Lucia claimed second runners-up honours at the Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament over the weekend, finishing with three wins and two losses.
Competing in the under-16 tournament at Barbados’ Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, the Saint Lucians defeated Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada but fell to champions Trinidad & Tobago and runners-up Barbados.
They finished with 17 points from their five matches, converting 140 of 184 shots (76.1%). Their plus-25 goal difference and 1.22 goal average marked an improvement from last year’s fourth-place finish on home soil. Captain Naija Ferdinand led the squad to bronze medals and a trophy, donated by former Caribbean Netball Association president Yvette Francis.
Head coach Shem Maxwell expressed pride in the team’s placing. “To be honest, I am happy, although I think we could have done better,” he said. “But I am indeed happy we made the podium finish. It’s a process, and it’s a work in progress.”
Ferdinand, the sole Saint Lucian named among the tournament’s top 16 players, also earned MVP honours for her team, receiving a trophy and gift basket from Bryden Stokes brand manager Shernell Actie. As a versatile goal attack and defence, she contributed to Saint Lucia’s third-place finish in the shooting competition alongside teammates Hailey Thomas and Clerise Nervais, with the trio making 119 of 174 attempts (68.39%).
Vice-captain Rhea Jn Philip added to Saint Lucia’s accolades, receiving the Young Achiever’s Award for excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and sports. The 15-year-old Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School student, who aspires to become a paediatrician, was recognised by CNA president Rufina Paul for her consistent academic merit.
Umpire Wayne Benti was also honoured with an Appreciation Award from the Barbados Netball Association and C2A Sports.
