The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) International Netball Series is scheduled to be held in St. John’s, Antigua during the period September 29 – October 8, 2023 (travel dates
included). Seven OECS countries namely: the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada,
Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the host country
– Antigua and Barbuda shall compete for the “Gloria Ballantyne Trophy”. Caribbean counterparts
- Barbados and Cayman Islands – will benefit the opportunity to engage in World Netball (WN)
approved international matches. Regrettably, Anguilla will not be participating.
The participation by nine countries is indeed a fitting tribute to the ECCB @ 40. On January 19,
2023, the ECCB launched its 40th anniversary year of celebration and implementation and the
Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) is indeed delighted at the best ever participation by
countries coinciding with “ECCB@40 – A Year of Celebration and Implementation”.
This year the ECCB took into consideration the high cost of air travel within the region and all
OECS member countries were generously supported in covering the cost of travel to Antigua. The
level of funding being provided by the ECCB to facilitate the participation of OECS countries in
the ECCB International Netball Series is testimony of the ECCB’s unwavering commitment to the
growth and development of netball in the region.
Since 1991, the ECCB has been supporting Netball in the OECS. In appreciation of more than
three decades of netball financing, the ECCB will be highly featured throughout the series. The
Opening Ceremony will begin with the Parade of the participating country teams from the ECCB
Office (in St. John’s, Antigua) to the tournament venue – the YMCA Sports Complex in St. John’s,
Antigua. The ECCB will deliver the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony – which is carded
for Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the YMCA Sports Complex. On Wednesday, October 4,
2023, the customary ECCB Personal Development Session will engage participating players and
officials at the Jolly Beach Resort; as well as the virtual audience via live streaming.
The Welcome Reception and Candle Lighting Ceremony, under the auspices of the Governor
General of Antigua and Barbuda, is scheduled for Friday, September 29, 2023. The tournament
is a round robin format and the 36 fixtured matches shall be officiated by 4 UAPs and 10 umpires
appointed by World Netball. Their names and their country of origin are as follows:
Umpires Appointment Panel (UAPs): Deborah Lynch of Barbados, Sylvester Chris Campbell of
Jamaica, Anne Marie Dickson-Lewis and Joel Young-Strong of Trinidad and Tobago.
Umpires: Wayne Benti of St. Lucia, Tracy-Ann Griffiths and Terrence Peart of Jamaica, Kanika
Paul-Payne and Joel Brown of Trinidad and Tobago, Louise Cole and James Thomas of the United
Kingdom, Michelle Maynard and Makeba Clarke of Barbados and Moeth Gaymes of St. Vincent
and the Grenadines.
The first match of the tournament will feature the defending champions – St, Vincent and the
Grenadines playing against the Cayman Islands on Court 1 and on Court 2, St. Lucia will challenge
Montserrat. The host country team is scheduled to play the last scheduled match on the opening
day against Dominica; while Grenada will come up against St. Kitts and Nevis, in the second set
of simultaneous matches. The first match for Barbados is scheduled for Day 2 of play.
CNA, in collaboration with the ECCB and the host country, are working assiduously to guarantee
the live streaming of events and matches as per the attached schedule. Importantly, we all look
forward to an enriching and competitive international netball experience for all the netballers.