Netballers warm-up for Youth Worlds
Bermuda will be looking to get their World Youth Netball Championships campaign at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland off on the front foot when they take on New Zealand in their opening Group B match tomorrow.The Island’s netballers arrived in Scotland on Tuesday weary from their travels and after settling in underwent an aerobics session in the fitness pool to climatise.Bermuda stepped up their last minute preparations with an intense two-hour long training session today that included a 30-minute friendly match with Wales.“Two of the teams in our Pool B are from the Europe region which are Northern Ireland and Malta so we thought this would be good practice for the girls to experience another style of netball as Wales are in the same region,” said team manager Jene Charles. “The girls enjoyed their first experience and are excited about beginning the tournament tomorrow.”Bermuda will be led on court in Scotland by captain Jaylynn Hines. The squad includes promising midcourt defender Asante Chapman who plays with ‘The Downs’ in the Surrey Junior Netball League in England.Bermuda’s preparations were set back following the loss of key players Dominique Richardson and vice-captain Diara Benjamin, daughter of team coach Gina. Dynamic midcourt player Richardson has been ruled out through school commitments while Benjamin was forced out after breaking a leg in a road traffic accident.This year marks Bermuda’s first appearance at the championships in nearly a decade.Last month saw the local team gain valuable practise during Canada and the England All Saints’ whirlwind tour of the Island.Remaining countries in Bermuda’s group include regional rivals Trinidad and Tobago, Northern Ireland and Malta.The tournament will be held from today to August 31.Bermuda: Jaylynn Hines (captain), Michelle Onyia, Olivia Onyia, Jahkintae Williams, Miia white, Akeyla Furbert, Kayjuna Lema, Jasmyn Renfroe, Asante Chapman, Danielle Onyia, Jahtuere Trott.