‘Netball is their safe space’ - Gaynstead manager eager for restart of schoolgirls’ competition

Following the disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa which forced the suspension of competitions organised by the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association, signs are pointing to a restart in the near future.

While most of the attention has been focused on football -- the Manning Cup in the Corporate Area and the daCosta Cup in the rural areas -- other sports, including netball, have quietly been waiting for action to resume.

ISSA President Keith Wellington has underlined the fact that during this school term the association has a number of sports to administer.

"Every time I speak, I am at pains to point out that we have been deliberating about football, basketball, and netball, as all three sports are played during this term," the ISSA boss said.

Although there are reports that all sports will restart soon, Wellington stopped short of giving a firm confirmation.

"We are not in a position to make a statement regarding the restart, as we are yet to come to a consensus," he said.

Like football, the netball competition was nearing its final stages before the hurricane's arrival. According to Joan Walker, organiser of the competition, only a few matches remain in the preliminary rounds.

"For the urban competition, we have just two rounds of matches left to complete, and it's about the same for the rural area," Walker explained.

She added that while the hurricane had minimal impact on the urban teams overall, a few schools in the rural area were affected.

"Some teams in the rural area were impacted, and we're waiting to hear from them. They have until this Friday to confirm if they will be ready to continue " said Walker.

Ahead of the anticipated restart STAR Sports caught up with Gaynstead High's manager, Derrick Brown, and Camperdown High's coach, Wayne Stewart -- both eager for the return to competitive action on the court.

"We're very happy to know the competition will restart soon," said Brown, whose team has won the title six times. "The players are anxious. Netball is their safe space -- a place to bond, to laugh, and to escape from everyday stress."

For Stewart, however, the mood was mixed.

"We feel good about the impending restart, but it's bittersweet," he said. "Several of my players from Bull Bay, St Andrew and St Thomas were badly affected by the hurricane and now have to stay at the school. We resumed training on Monday, and although it's been tough, I'm glad the competition is coming back. It will help the girls take their minds off the recent disaster."