Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has pumped $3 million into next month's three-Test netball series between Jamaica's Sunshine Girls and the world's number-three ranked England, which will be held at the National Indoor Sports Centre from April 3-6.

The opening match is set for Tuesday, April 2, and is slated to get going at 4:30 p.m., with the second and third Test matches slated for Wednesday, the 3rd (5:30 p.m.) and Saturday, the 6th (4 p.m.).

Carlene Edwards, sponsorship and public relations manager, SVL, who handed over her company's cheque to Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), said SVL has a special relationship with the Sunshine Girls.

"This is another partner that we hold dear to our heart, as through our support of the series, the Sunshine Girls will get valuable preparatory work done to participate in upcoming international tournaments," said Edwards, during yesterday launch at The Courtleigh Hotel.

"Netball, as you may already know, has not been getting the support it deserves, despite the success of the Sunshine Girls," she added.

"As such, we are extremely proud that we could facilitate the staging of yet another Sunshine Series, and we look forward to the competitive matchups between Jamaica's Sunshine Girls and the English national team."

crucial to build-up

Bernard, in expressing gratitude to SVL for its sponsorship, said the series is very important as it forms part of their build-up to the 2015 World Championships, which will be held in Sydney, Australia.

"We are very thankful to Supreme Ventures for again making sure that the Sunshine Girls can get international practice matches at home for the fans to see," said Bernard.

"It's also a very important series for us to blood our youngsters, who are the future Sunshine Girls of tomorrow," she said.

Bernard added: "We'd also like to thank Jamaica National Building Society because they are taking care of the technical officials and without them the games can't happen; and all the other sponsors who came on board to make this series happen."

As part of the entertainment package for the series, Supreme Ventures will be staging a netball match between corporate celebrities and masters. There will also be a shoot-off between male corporate and a media team.

The celebrities include Khadine 'Miss Kitty' Hylton, Yendi Phillips, Jennifer 'Jenny Jenny' Small, Kerie-Ann 'Kiki' Lewis, Terri-Karelle Reid, Natalie Neita-Headley, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for sports, Tanya Lee and D' Angel.

Edwards added that the participants in both matches would be rewarded for their efforts, as her company has decided to donate $100,000 to the Best Care Children's Home, courtesy of both matches.

In addition, Supreme Ventures will be providing lots of giveaways during pre-game and half-time shows, plus a gate prize of a seven-inch Samsung Galaxy tablet. The tablet will be presented to one lucky spectator on the final day of the series.

Full Caption: Carlene Edwards (left), sponsorship and public relations manager, Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), presents her company's sponsorship cheque to Marva Bernard (third right), president, Jamaica Netball Association and Natalie Neita-Headley (third left), minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for sports, during the launch of the Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series at The Courtleigh Hotel yesterday. Oberon Pitterson-Nattie (second left), head coach of the Sunshine Girls, looks on along with co-captain Malysha Kelly (centre), Sasha-Gaye Henry (second right) and Nadine Bryan, co-captain. - Ian Allen/Photographer