Skiddy Francis-Crick, one of this country’s netball stalwarts, continues to challenge herself to give back to the game that has given her so much joy and success.
Towards this end, she has organized a netball camp for this year’s summer break. The camp will take place at the Marriaqua Government School hard court from August 1st to September 3rd from 9:00am – 2:00p, and will cater to girls 8-14 years old.
Quizzed as to what inspired her to host the camp after a long break, Francis-Crick said, “Actually I was inspired by a child at church. She said to me some time ago, she wants to play netball but she doesn’t want anyone else to teach her the game, she wants me to teach her the game, so I was inspired to push myself to start this summer camp.”
Added inspiration came from the results she saw from her first programme.
“I held one (camp) in 1991 when I gave children of Marriqua that opportunity to learn the game of netball. From that coaching programme persons like Geshell Peters and Saskia Diamond went on to represent SVG and further their studies through netball,” Francis-Crick recalled.
Francis-Crick, therefore, needs little convincing that the programme can bear fruit.
The still active and fit Francis-Crick also disclosed that she has been requested, and has accepted, to be part of the Coaching Committee of the SVG Netball Association.
Skiddy Francis-Crick began playing netball at the age of 9. She recalls being encouraged by Hermina Cambridge, a founding member of the Maples Netball Club, so it was no surprise that she entered the national competition playing for Maples in 1986, while still a teenager.
She moved rapidly through representing the national age category teams and by 17 years old, was called up to national senior service.
Many netball enthusiasts here are of the opinion that Skiddy Francis-Crick retired from national duty while still at the top of her game.
All things being even, she will continue working with the girls after the camp through sessions on Saturday mornings.