NETTS Youth Netball programme continues to go from strength to strength as the October 2005 to February 2006 portion saw the cream of the crop in the island's netballers display their prowess at CedarBridge Academy.To date this is the club's fourth youth netball programme as scores of the island's youngsters play tournament-style netball with the enthusiasm of their older counterparts who are at present competing in the winter league at Bernard Park.

The Saturday morning training sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon, with the participants ranging in age from five to 16. The programme has some 46 girls from various schools registered in this prestigious programme, many of them who rise through the ranks and compete in the weekend league play.

The sizeable increase calls for an increase in the number of coaching staff and three new coaches have been added to the roster, representing three generations of netballers.

Coaches Kim Minors, Gina Christopher and Marissa Wainwright are a trio of fundamentally sound ball handlers and their expertise has been a boon to their young charges.

There has also been a noticeable increase in parental participation with mums and dads providing snacks on a rotational basis each week and making sure the players are hydrated.

The public sector has also lent its support to this programme. The Jamaican Grill Restaurant has continued to provide catering for awards presentations. In addition to teaching the girls the necessary court skills, they are also learning how to objectively officiate a game, thus rounding out their training.

The programme has expanded to the island's schools in an effort to help produce well-rounded young women with positive attitudes. During May through to July 2005 period, 12 young girls and 12 adults travelled to Fort Lauderdale in Florida to witness the World Youth Netball Championships.

The next period of the programme will resume on March 25 and run until June 25.