The island’s netballers will be among the thousands lining the streets of Hamilton today to support ITU world champion Flora Duffy when she competes in MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda.

Kimale Evans, president of the Bermuda Netball Association, sent out an e-mail this week rallying for support within the netball fraternity for their fellow Bermudian and female athlete in what will be one of the biggest sporting events in the city.

“It would be fantastic to have our members help create a HUGE welcome for Flora when she returns for the first time with her Commonwealth Games gold medal,” Evans wrote.

Yesterday, she said the response has been outstanding with members planning to line the various streets to watch the event which starts with the swim in Hamilton Harbour at 4pm.

“There were several of the females, with netball being an all-female sport, who are extremely excited about the triathlon being here in Bermuda and Flora competing on home soil as the No 1 female triathlete in the world,” Evans added.

“There was positive feedback where several of our club players have said they had every intention of attending anyway. I’m an advocate for all sports ­— however with netball being a female sport it is important, more so, to support our other female athletes, in particular.

“Several are going to be attending along the roadside, cheering on Flora. It is definitely something everybody is looking forward to. I can tell you netball is looking to rally around Flora and support her to a good performance.

“It’s our hope she will inspire young women, whether in netball or football, to strive for whatever they want to do, she’s a great example of that. We’re definitely going to be behind her.

“Who knows, there might be a netballer who decides to become a triathlete. We’ll support her in the same way.”