By Charmaine Austin, Staff ReporterUNACCUSTOMED to the spotlight, Jamaica's under-16 netballers revelled in the attention they received on their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport last night from Grenada.
The young Sunshine Girls returned from the Caribbean Netball Association Under-16 championship weary from travel but proudly bearing a replica of the prestigious Lucille Seymour Cup and numerous other team and individual awards.
"I am so surprised to see all these cameras and things. We're very glad for the recognition," said captain Althea Ferguson.
Jamaica went to the week-long tournament as defending champions and finished as the only unbeaten team.
They routed Guyana 52-9, Barbados 27-22, St Kitts & Nevis 42-15, Grenada 40-8 and Trinidad & Tobago 34-22.
They stopped Barbados 38-21 in the final and for their overall effort reaped the best offensive and best defensive team awards. Jamaica also amassed the best goal average.
Defender Kerry-Ann Brown was named Most Valuable Player while shooters Danielle Lowers and Tara Wilson placed second and third respectively in the individual shooting competition.
Three players, Brown, Kadian Mendes and Ferguson also earned selection to the Caribbean Under-16 All Stars team.
"I really enjoyed the tournament. None of the other teams could hold us," said Brown a former Primary All-Star and two-time Jamaica under-16 representative.
"I'm grateful for what we got. Everyone put in effort and this was our reward," Ferguson said while gesturing towards the numerous awards.
"Yes, we really did good," Mendes echoed.
All three made their debuts for the under-16 team last year.
In giving an overview of the tournament Jamaica's head of delegation Audrey Thompson said, "The championship was good for a number of reasons. It was not all about play. The girls have come back more rounded individuals based on the numerous lessons they learnt even though it was in such a short time.
"The main areas of focus were healthy lifestyles, leadership and teamwork. It was all good for Jamaica."
As if to emphasise the statement that the tournament was not all work, Tivoli Gardens High School student Peter-Gaye Thomas balanced a textbook (CXC Revision for Physics) with one of the trophies, an indication that she found time to study.
Jamaica's team: Kerry-Ann Brown, Deaydron Coleman, Macrea Dale, Shelly-Ann Davis, Althea Ferguson, Nicole Johnson, Danielle Lowers, Kadian Mendes, Samantha Mundle, Afrika Morris, Peter-Gaye Thomas and Tara Wilson.
