Presentation ceremony for squash sponsors

Carl Spence, Gleaner Writer

THE JAMAICA Squash Association (JSA) yesterday hosted a presentation ceremony in honour of the sponsors of its junior national team, which will depart the island on July 18 for the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships (JCSC) in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

A total of $1.2 million was required for the team's trip and, according to the association's president, John Nelson, it was met through sponsorship from Pan Caribbean Financial Services, Big Reds, the Yeah Man brand, Billy Craig Insurance Brokers, Digicel, Guardsman, Lets Investments, Life Of Jamaica, National Commercial Bank, Virginia Dare, West Indies Alliance, Wisynco, World Phone and Zoukie Trucking.

Gratitude

Nelson expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the corporate entities, but used his speech to challenge the junior squad that was present at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.

"Last year Jamaica hosted the tournament and placed third. This year I want the team to try and do their best to improve on this performance when you go to Tortola," Nelson said.

The team, which comprises 14 players, boasts the likes of team captain and two-time Under-17 as well as defending Under-19 Caribbean champion, Chris Binnie and national champions Dane Schwier (U-19), Brooke Borrowes (U-17), Lauren Mahfood (U-15) and Jessica Perkins (U-13).

Team coach, Karen Anderson believes it is going to be hard to improve on their third-place finish at last year's event but thinks the goal is reachable with a team effort.

"It is going to be tough competing against players from Guyana, Trinidad and Bermuda, but we have players who are playing very well and are expected to finish in the top-four spots for their individual age groups," Anderson said.

"It is going to take a team effort if we are going to be placed in the same position again or seek possible improvement in this year's competition," she said.

Team captain Binnie, who will be making his ninth appearance in the Caribbean championship, also shares the view of his coach. He, however, notes that he is willing to use his experience to guide his fairly inexperienced team to a top-three finish in the tournament.

"I hope to use my experience to help coach and advise the team, which hopefully will be good enough for them and give us a higher finish in the championship," Binnie said.