Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Renovation of netball courts leaves questions over start date for new season

First Prev 1 2 3 Next Last
Defending champions: Phoenix Heat (in black) captured in action against Lindo’s Tigers (File photograph by Akil Simmons)

Recent renovations at Bernard Park has left the Bermuda Netball Association with a dilemma in terms of planning for the new season.

With the season initially scheduled to start in October, the BNA is still waiting for an all-clear from the government on the remedial work

At the beginning of this year, action for the 2022-23 campaign had to be switched to Whitney Institute and CedarBridge Academy after the Department of Youth, Culture and Sport shut down the government-owned courts at Bernard Park as a result of safety concerns raised by the BNA over the asphalt surface.

Kimale Evans, the BNA president, has said they are engaging with relevant authorities in charge of the courts before they decide on the start of the season.

Storm were runners up in the seniors league (Photograph supplied)

“The courts at Bernard Park have been patched up and everything,’’ Evans said.

“They need to be painted over completely and the lines redone before we’re given access to them.

“Usually our league starts in the middle of October and we have a near three-week break in December, so the league runs for 20 to 24 weeks.

“We’re engaging with the Department of Youth, Culture and Sport and we need to have a conversation to see how that is going as we hope the courts are ready by the time we start.

Storm won the 17 years and under league (Photograph supplied)

“We don't have a starting date as yet. We specifically do it for that reason because if adjustments have to be made then it may require us to amend the dates.

“We usually play on Saturdays, but this year we have matches throughout the week so we will base our scheduling on the dates that we get in order to commence training and playing.

“If it means that we have to play matches, specifically the senior matches, in the evening then that has been done before. We have 11 and under, 14 and under, 17 and under and senior league fixtures.”

Phoenix Heat, who remained unbeaten in their ten matches were the senior champions last season, with Storm second and Lindo’s Tigers third.

Storm took the 17 years and under league, with Phoenix Embers winners of the 14 years and under. No champions are declared for the 11 and under age group as it is a developmental competition.

You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote.

Published September 13, 2023 at 6:04 pm (Updated September 13, 2023 at 6:04 pm)

Renovation of netball courts leaves questions over start date for new season

What you
Need to
Know
1. For a smooth experience with our commenting system we recommend that you use Internet Explorer 10 or higher, Firefox or Chrome Browsers. Additionally please clear both your browser's cache and cookies - How do I clear my cache and cookies?
2. Please respect the use of this community forum and its users.
3. Any poster that insults, threatens or verbally abuses another member, uses defamatory language, or deliberately disrupts discussions will be banned.
4. Users who violate the Terms of Service or any commenting rules will be banned.
5. Please stay on topic. "Trolling" to incite emotional responses and disrupt conversations will be deleted.
6. To understand further what is and isn't allowed and the actions we may take, please read our Terms of Service
7. To report breaches of the Terms of Service use the flag icon