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Divisional league key to U21 netballers’ World Cup preparations
February 25, 2025
Suzette Townsend, manager of the Jamaica's U21 netball team, says Netball Jamaica's (NJ) Divisional club league is being used as a platform to develop the players ahead of the 2025 Netball World Cup set for Gibraltar in September.
Townsend said the management team had made the decision to play the U21 national team in the competition for developmental purposes.
"The decision to enter the U21 squad in the netball divisional league was a strategic move aimed at both player development and team cohesion," she said.
The competition, she noted, provides the opportunity of not just consistent competitive play on the court, but also an opportunity for the players to bond off the court as well.
"From a management perspective, entering the league was about fostering team chemistry. Each weekend, they bond at the Marva Bernard Netball Chalet, learning each other's off-court behaviours, bonding and sharing experiences," Townsend explained.
"From a player development standpoint, increasing their playing time was a critical factor. Regular competitive matches provide invaluable experience, helping the girls refine their skills, improve game fitness, and enhance their tactical awareness," she added.
"The exposure to different styles of play and high-pressure situations will prepare them for international competition, ensuring they are match-ready when representing Jamaica on the global stage."
The national team has entered two squads in the competition's Major League division, U21 'A' and U21 'B'.
U21 'A' has seen a mixed bag of results, winning two games while losing another two, while the U21 'B' currently hold a winning record of three wins and a loss.
Townsend explained, however, that the focus will not be on the results, but rather their player development throughout the competition.
"For the management team, success for the U21 girls is not solely measured by match wins during the local competition but as I said before, by their overall growth, development, and level of preparedness.
"Key indicators of success include improved team cohesion, increased endurance and fitness levels, enhanced tactical awareness, and the ability to execute game strategies effectively under pressure," she continued.
For Townsend, and NJ, the competition will not just be a platform for the upcoming Netball World Youth Cup, but it could be the stomping grounds of the next generation of Sunshine Girls.
