Australian sees Elite League potential

Australian netballer Hannah Kuhar, the lone international player in the just-concluded Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League, says the competition continues to improve each year, and implores the governing body to continue to invest in it and for sponsors to continue to give their support to the product.
Kuhar and her Manchester Spurs team swept all before them, winning the final against dethroned champions Kingston Hummingbirds, who defeated them in last year’s final.
The Australian, who expresses passion about the growth of the league, gives the association a thumbs up for its effort to improve the league despite limited resources.
“Every year in the two years I have been here, they (Netball Jamaica) keep learning things, and I think it is so important that Netball Jamaica continues to invest in this league, and the sponsors continue to be a part of it,” she said.
She noted that an important element of the league that is overlooked is its value in helping the national teams, such as the JACE Risers, prepare for international competition, like the CAC and Commonwealth Games, and believes the league has set standards that require nurturing and continuous growth.
“You can see from where the Sunshine Girls are going, from where the junior girls are going. The rise of JACE Risers. There is so much to like about Jamaican netball and it is really important that the investment continues.”
After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in last year’s final, Kuhar was elated to see her Manchester Spurs crowned ELite League champions. 
“I can’t believe it, but I can believe it. It has been long in the process. We spoke about last year and how much it meant to us to have an undefeated season. Now we breathe right to the ending of that story,” she beamed
“Sometimes the universe makes things happen in a particular way, and it really felt like the universe said it needed to be a two-year process and I am so happy.”
In a team packed with talent, Kuhar, generally a centre or wing attack, said her role was just to facilitate the ‘super stars’ like Shanice Beckford, Kaydeen Gordon, MVP Kimone Shaw and top shooter Mone Wilmot.
“My role is to support the super stars on my team. I am so lucky that wherever you look, from goal shooter down to goal keeper, we have some formidable netballers, so my job is to just hang back and support them to do their thing. I am really lucky to play with the girls we have,” she commented.
Despite her love for Jamaica and the Elite League, Kuhar could not confirm her participation for a third successive season in the league.
“For now I just want to enjoy this moment with my teammates. I am really lucky and really grateful for everyone in Jamaica for the way they have supported me for the last two years. I will be leaving with a lot of happy memories,” she said.
livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com