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(Photo: Contributed)
Sygnus Capital donated J$100,000 to the Sunshine Girls’ ‘Netball House’, in honour of International Women’s Day and the celebration of women in March.
The contribution, according to the alternative investments firm, aims to facilitate essential renovations and enhancements to the national team’s Netball House, providing a more conducive environment for team activities.
Marva Bernard, former Netball Jamaica president and current chairperson of the Friends of Netball House Committee, shared, “The Netball House has been the hub of activity for Netball Jamaica. At the time, the team was gifted the property, I served as Netball Jamaica president.”
Speaking about the history of the Netball House, Bernard continued, “We were incredibly excited and grateful when the property was gifted to us. The house was always cared for in an extra special way, but over time, it’s essential to ensure that the home is maintained, and that’s precisely what the property needs. A group of us known as the Friends of Netball House, who are deeply invested and passionate about the property, came together and said, ‘Let’s see what we can do’. So for me, having been here since the house was gifted to us and now being able to come back and be a part of this experience, it’s truly a full-circle moment and one for which I am thankful.”
The Sunshine Chalet, affectionately known as the Netball House, was gifted to the team by former prime minister Bruce Golding in 2010. The five-bedroom house, used all year round, sits on 1.5 acres of land, and is home to national squad players of varying ages, including those under 14, 16, 21, and the Sunshine Girls.
While the home has undergone previous refurbishments, recent times have highlighted the need for further support to maintain its functionality and comfort.
(Photo: Contributed)
In recognition of this need, the Friends of Netball committee was formed with the dedication to refurbish the House. Led by Marva Bernard, members of the committee also include past presidents, Vilma McDonald, Sharon Donaldson, Molly Rhone, and current Netball Jamaica president Tricia Robinson.
Robinson expressed her gratitude to the Sygnus team, sharing, “As the sayings go, ‘one cocoa full basket’ and ‘every mickle mek a muckle’. We are so appreciative and grateful for this donation. The funds will be directed towards enhancing the Sunshine Chalet, ultimately benefiting the comfort and development of our players. Thank you, Sygnus, for your support, especially during such a significant time as Women’s Month. Investing in the women of our country is always paramount.”
Netball is a game that is most widely played by girls and women in Jamaica. It builds early enthusiasm for sports and is an essential part of the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Sygnus’ donation represents a significant step towards bolstering the infrastructure and support system for Jamaica’s esteemed Sunshine Girls, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in championing women’s empowerment and fostering inclusive communities.
Presenting the cheque to the netball team was Cerilin Hudson, chief legal and compliance officer at Sygnus, who highlighted the motivation behind the firm’s support to improve housing conditions for the Sunshine Girls. She also emphasized Sygnus’ commitment to community initiatives.
(Photo: Contributed)
“Sygnus is proud to contribute to such a noble cause, recognising the importance of empowering women and investing in their development. Our motivation stems from recognising the critical role that sports, particularly netball, play in empowering women and promoting healthy lifestyles. This initiative aligns with our broader commitment to supporting community initiatives, especially those that empower and uplift women. We firmly believe in the transformative power of sports to foster unity, resilience, and empowerment within communities, and we are honoured to contribute to this meaningful endeavour,” Hudson mused.
Crystal Plummer, a member of the Sunshine Girls, reflecting on the impact of Sygnus’ donation, expressed heartfelt appreciation, stating, “I would like to say a big thank you to Sygnus. Sometimes we may not know where the help is going to come from, but to know that Sygnus came on board and donated means a whole lot. This is a big start for us and we are very appreciative of this generous donation.”
The Sunshine Girls under-21 squad is gearing up for an upcoming qualifier in Guadeloupe scheduled for July, while the under-16 squad is preparing for a tournament in August at the Leila Robinson Courts.
Additionally, the national team has tournaments lined up in November and January 2025, where for the latter, they will host South Africa in Jamaica.
https://our.today/sygnus-lends-support-to-sunshine-girls-to-the-tune-of-j100000/
