CaribPR Wire, BROOKLYN, NY. Tues. Aug. 24, 2010: More than the usual national pride and bragging rights will be at stake this weekend Saturday August 28th and Sunday August 29th, at the Lincoln Terrace Park on East New York and Buffalo Avenues in Brooklyn, NY when the final shrill of the umpire’s whistle is sounded and the curtain closes on the 13th season of the LIME-sponsored Caribbean American Netball Association (CANA) tournament.
“I am expecting full participation especially from the teams from the islands, as we present the LIME/CANA Caribbean Cup Netball Championship and closing ceremony on Sunday evening,” said Cheryl Howell, President of the League.
Howell and her executive team are hoping that all eight eligible nations will take part in the championship, which will be played using the round robin, aggregate win system; meaning that teams will play against each other and the team with the most wins (points), will be declared the winner.
Defending champions Jamaica and seven other teams will contest the Senior Cup. They are: Africa, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent & Grenadines (SVG), St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and the U.S.A.
“I expect perennial winners Jamaica to get some competition this year from St. Vincent & The Grenadines,” said Howell, noting that the SVG team includes the talented Joleen Christopher (GA), of Flying Targets NC and captain of the CANA Senior squad.
Jamaica will counter with the gutsy and versatile Petra ‘Nina’ Williams (GA, GS).
And, if the volcanic Dawn Small gets going and is able to play her game, Barbados should not be counted out of the top spot, according to Howell, who thinks that this is CANA’s lucky year due in large measure to the corporate partnership struck with LIME (Cable & Wireless) and Western Union, among others.
Sharing the closing weekend spotlight in the park will be a contest for the juniors as well. Five teams are expected to compete: U.S.A., Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Grenada.
Other attractions on Sunday will include exhibition matches involving the CANA Under-21 team against a CANA Senior team and the Brooklyn Navigators (male team) Netball Club. Action in the Caribbean Cup Championship will tip off at 1 p.m., weather permitting.
“We feel this is a nice way to end what has been a good netball season here in Brooklyn and I hope the community will come out in bigger numbers and support the girls and guys,” President Howell said.
LIME is collaborating with CANA to make this another Brooklyn coming out party on the heels of the Labor Day holiday weekend celebrations and festivities. A number of senior executives from the company are expected to be in attendance.
Patrons attending the season ending games will be treated to ‘goodies’ from the regional telecommunications company while players and teams will be presented with their trophies and other incentives for a successful season.
On Saturday, the divisional finals for the knock-out competition will also be played, starting at 5 p.m. A total of four matches will be played to determine the winners of the Junior, Intermediate, Seniors2 and Seniors1 categories for 2010. All the games including the big showdown at the Caribbean Cup on Sunday starting at 1 p.m. is free and open to the public.
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LIME, (formerly Cable & Wireless), is the Caribbean`s leading telecommunications company. LIME has kept the people of the Caribbean connected for more than 100 years. LIME is focused on providing products and services that improve the lives of Caribbean people every day whether they live in the region or are part of the Diaspora. LIME`s aim is to deliver the best communication services at the best value across the board–full stop. LIME–for living every day.
Photo Caption:
Cheryl Howell, President of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean American Netball Association (CANA). (Photo courtesy of Sharon Bennett)