The Anguilla Amateur Netball Association’s tournament, which began on the afternoon of Thursday, August 20th, climaxed last Sunday, September 6th. Over the course of two weeks, netball lovers have been on hand, particularly on weekends, to savour the “lovely netball” performances of their favourite teams. It was the first Business Netball Tournament — sporting six teams, namely: AASPA, ANGLEC, Government of Anguilla, Health Authority of Anguilla, Hospitality, and Teachers. And the Health Authority of Anguilla emerged champions.
Overall scores for the duration of the tournament are as follows:
First week, Thursday through Sunday: ANGLEC won AASPA 30 to 19; Hospitality won Government 32 to 28; Government won Teachers 33 to 19; the Health Authority won ANGLEC 25 to 15; Hospitality won AASPA 43 to 23; Health Authority won over Government 33 to 24; and Hospitality won Teachers 23 to 22.
Second week, Thursday through Sunday: Health Authority won AASPA 37 to 25; ANGLEC won Teachers 23 to 16; Health Authority won Hospitality 35 to 22; Government won ANGLEC 31 to 18; Teachers won AASPSA 24 to 15; Hospitality won ANGLEC 28 to 24; AASPA won Government 34 to 28; and Health Authority won Teachers 30 to 10.
Through round after round, the teams struggled hard to outdo each other in order to make the first business tournament a resounding highlight in the annals of the sport. Scores for the Semi-finals last Saturday night were: Health Authority 27 to ANGLEC 26; and Government 34 to Hospitality 27. The Finals on Sunday night were: ANGLEC 38 to Hospitality 25; and Health Authority 36 to Government 19. At the end of the games, Health Authority walked away as Tournament Champions, followed by Government in second place, and ANGLEC in third.
Awards were presented to outstanding players of each team, who were noted as Most Valuable Players (MPVs). These were as follows: Teachers’ MPV – Joshry Quashie; ANGLEC’s MVP – Lakisha Hughes; Hospitality’s MVP – Carol Webster; AASPA’s MVP – Zeila Harrigan; Health Authority’s MVP – Jaiden Lawrence, who was also named Best Male Player; and Government’s MVP – Soya Williams, who was also named Best Female Player.
Over the weeks of the tournament, The Anguillian had been adequately informed of the games by Public Relations Officer, Ms. Karisa Lake. In the aftermath of the heated tournament she commented: “Last Saturday’s semi-finals saw two tremendous, competitive games. The men for both ANGLEC and Health stood out strong. These games were played with a high degree of fervour, as if they were the actual Finals. The scores were neck-and-neck. However, Health emerged as the dominator by one point and won the game. The Finals came off quite differently to everyone’s expectations. Overall, the games were tough, but easy going, and our first Business Netball Tournament was a magnificent success — one full of intense excitement.
According to documentation, the history of netball lies in a British legend that goes back to 1895 when the game was first played at Madame Ostenburg’s College in London. During the first half of the 20th century, the sport — mainly played by women — became quite popular. Its widespread appeal caused it to be played throughout the British Empire and across the United States. Gradually, the game was introduced to South America and Central America, and to the Caribbean in the 1950s.
