The island’s netballers could soon have a home sweet home.
The new netball stadium being installed in Waterford, St Michael, is about 90 per cent complete and ready for use just weeks before Barbados hosts the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Americas Regional Qualifier later this month.
Director of Sports at the National Sports Council (NSC) Neil Murrell confirmed the facility is in the latter stages of construction, with final touches continuing ahead of the eight-team tournament, which runs from October 19 to 26.
“The netball stadium is in the throes of completion. There’s some additional minor work that needs to be done, and we are working on that, but I would say it’s about 90 per cent complete, and it can be used at this time until we finish the other minor work,” Murrell said.
The newly redeveloped multisport facility will serve as the practice venue for visiting teams, while all tournament games will be played at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium at Wildey.
Murrell described hosting the qualifier as a significant endorsement of the island’s sporting infrastructure and encouraged fans to turn out in numbers.
“Obviously, having the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Americas Regional Qualifier is a plus and a pillar for Barbados. It suggests that the committee believes that Barbados has the facilities both at the Gymnasium and at the new netball stadium to be able to facilitate such a tournament. It would bring muchneeded competition here to Barbados and from across the region. It could also inspire young Barbadian girls to become more involved in netball at a higher level,” Murrell said. “The Barbadian population will be able to see top quality netball, and we hope that they will obviously come out and support Barbados in particular, but also some of the other teams from across the region.”
Eight teams will compete for two available qualifying spots, namely the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and hosts Barbados, who are currently ranked 19th in the world. Head of the local organising committee, Tracey Leacock, said the tournament will follow a round-robin format, producing 28 games over seven playing days, with a rest day on October 22.
Speaking recently at the launch of the qualifiers at the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) in Wildey, St Michael, Barbados Netball Association president Nisha Craigwell expressed full confidence in the organising committee and the island’s ability to deliver.
“I never take for granted how blessed we are in Barbados to have the capacity, the people and the facilities required to stage a world-class event,” she said. “Our country has shown time and again that though small in size, we are strong in organisation, hospitality, and sporting spirit.”
She added: “There is no doubt in my mind that working together as a unit, we will deliver a world class event that Barbados and America’s netball family can be proud of. To our Netball Americas regional guests, we are delighted to be your host from October 19 to 26.”
Shonette Azore-Bruce will captain the Bajan Gems’ netball team with Brianna Holder of UWI Blackbirds installed as her deputy. The coaches are Julie Phillips and Latonia Blackman, with Lynette Holder managing the squad.
Barbados Gems Squad: Shonette Azore-Bruce (captain), Brianna Holder (vice-captain), Faye Agard, Dei Padmore, Salisha Auguste, Damia Walrond, Shonica Griffith, Stephian Shepherd, Kijani Johnson, Shonica Wharton, Azaria Alleyne, Kadeen Corbin. Reserves: Deeya Forde-Haynes, Trishan Deane, Tamara Trotman.
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