National netball teams need $300k

The Under-21 netballers plan to leave TT on Sunday for England where they will play warm-up matches leading to the World Youth Netball Championships scheduled for July 8-16 in Botswana. The senior team is currently preparing for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. The senior players need financial help to compete in a preparation and ranking tournament in St Lucia in August.

The Under-21s, meanwhile, need funding to help alleviate their travel expenses and purchase warm clothing.

A press release from the TT Netball Association (TT NA) said, “We are asking corporate citizens for their kind assistance and support as we continue to work with our youth to take netball back to the top.” President of TT NA, Pat Butcher, is confident the Under- 21 team will have a positive showing at the Games. In an interview with Newsday recently, Butcher said, “We are looking forward to tremendous participation from this team. They have a lot of young people on that team who really are showing their skills in netball and we look forward to a strong performance.” Butcher said the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) did help the Under-21 team financially, but is urging more sponsors to come on board. “We really hoping that corporate citizens will continue to assist us. More corporate sponsors like NLCB and others, recognising the value of sport towards crime and all the other social ills that are present in the country.” Persons willing to help the netball teams can make as deposit to the TTNA RBC Royal Bank account number - 100088018148597.