Saint Lucia claimed second runners-up honours at the Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament over the weekend, finishing with three wins and two losses.

Competing in the under-16 tournament at Barbados’ Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, the Saint Lucians defeated Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada but fell to champions Trinidad & Tobago and runners-up Barbados.

They finished with 17 points from their five matches, converting 140 of 184 shots (76.1%). Their plus-25 goal difference and 1.22 goal average marked an improvement from last year’s fourth-place finish on home soil. Captain Naija Ferdinand led the squad to bronze medals and a trophy, donated by former Caribbean Netball Association president Yvette Francis.

Head coach Shem Maxwell expressed pride in the team’s placing. “To be honest, I am happy, although I think we could have done better,” he said. “But I am indeed happy we made the podium finish. It’s a process, and it’s a work in progress.”

Ferdinand, the sole Saint Lucian named among the tournament’s top 16 players, also earned MVP honours for her team, receiving a trophy and gift basket from Bryden Stokes brand manager Shernell Actie. As a versatile goal attack and defence, she contributed to Saint Lucia’s third-place finish in the shooting competition alongside teammates Hailey Thomas and Clerise Nervais, with the trio making 119 of 174 attempts (68.39%).

Vice-captain Rhea Jn Philip added to Saint Lucia’s accolades, receiving the Young Achiever’s Award for excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and sports. The 15-year-old Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School student, who aspires to become a paediatrician, was recognised by CNA president Rufina Paul for her consistent academic merit.

Umpire Wayne Benti was also honoured with an Appreciation Award from the Barbados Netball Association and C2A Sports.

The article Saint Lucia Secures Third Place in Regional Netball Tournament is from St. Lucia Times.