Male Netball Premiership returns for fourth year
Published:Friday | February 28, 2025 | 12:11 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Defending InterCaribbean Male Netball Premiership champions, the Vikings, are set to begin their title defence today when they take on the Knights at the Leila Robinson netball courts at 6 p.m.
The match will be the first game of a double header, as the Jaguars will also take to the court when they take on the Spartans at 8 p.m.
The competition, spearheaded by the Male Netball Association of Jamaica (MNAJ), will be entering its fourth staging and has been boosted by a new sponsorship deal with InterCaribbean Airways.
Faith Exeter, communications and partnerships lead for InterCaribbean Airways, said the new deal marks their commitment to the growth of men’s netball in the Caribbean region.
“We are truly impressed with the strategic approach towards the growth of male netball in our region,” Exeter said. “We take great pride in partnering with organisations that demonstrate such clear vision and organisational excellence. We look forward to working closely with the team to make the 2025 InterCaribbean Male Netball Premiership a resounding success.”
Chairman of the MNAJ, Ricardo Grant, welcomed the new partnership which he believes will allow for the association to host a successful and competitive league.
“We are grateful for our partnership with InterCaribbean Airways for the fourth edition of the premiership,” he said.
“As chairman, I am proud to lead a team that consistently strives for excellence. Our commitment to delivering a world-class sporting experience remains unwavering, and we look forward to another thrilling season.”
One of the unique features for this year’s staging will be the inclusion of international players who will be plying their trade in the league for the first time.
President and regional director of Americas Netball, Dr Bridget Adams, welcomed the inclusion of international players in the local competition.
ON THE RISE
She said, with the recent success of the Jamaica Suns at the 2024 Americas Netball Men’s Regional Championships, the men’s sport has been on the rise.
“On behalf of Americas Netball, we are extremely delighted of the success and progress of the Male Netball Premiership League in Jamaica. Having held this prestigious tournament for the last three years, we are excited at the significant step by expanding in your fourth year to include international players,” Adams stated.
“Following Jamaica’s successful title defence in the 2024 Americas Netball Men’s competition, this notable milestone in the growth of our sport aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to promote men’s and boys’ participation,” she continued.
The four-team competition will run for just over two weeks, starting today through to March 16, comprising four match days.
Two matches will be featured on each match day, and these are set for March 2, March 9, and finally, March 16.