SIMPSON BAY--The St. Maarten Netball U-16 National team traveled to Dominica to play matches against the national team of Dominica as well as some U-16 clubs on Saturday.
The U-16 National team consists of Leann Ford (Team captain), Natascha Busby (Co-captain), Zaia Hunte, Ariel Goberdhan, Makeyah Moore, Azareah Bontiff, Sarai Willemsberg, Shaniqua Mitchell, Janae Euson, Miriam Carbon, Ailiana Scafe, Melisa Hardy, Kalissa Etinof, Tyler Timothy. Traveling with the team are Head Coach Mellica “Lisa” Timothy-Boothe, Assistant Coaches Florisca Roseline Larocque and Katherina Gumbs, President of the Netball Association, Mrs. Felicia Fortuno, and Board member, Mrs. Ann Mary Ford.
Captain Ford expressed confidence the team is prepared for the matches they must play because they have been practicing very hard to perform at their best level. She states that all the players are enthusiastic and looking forward to play Netball against their Dominican opponents. She believes that these matches will give them international experience, exposure and foster friendship with the players from Dominica.
Coach Mellica “Lisa” Timothy-Boothe is very positive and expects that the girls perform at a high level because they have been practicing hard and consistently preparing for this trip. The girls have been playing together since grades 5 and 6 of primary school. Basically, for the last four years and know each other well. They are well attuned to each other.
Mrs. Felicia Fortuno states that as President of the Netball Association, she is so proud of our girls. In the last four years, they made a name for Sint Maarten in the sport of Netball. They are dedicated and talented.
This trip will be our first official competition since the Covid-19 pandemic started. The girls are eager and ready for victory.
Due to Covid-19 measures, the delegation had to take a PCR test before travel. Upon their arrival in Dominica, they will have to spend 4 to 5 days in self-quarantine before they play any matches. They will return on July 20.
