4th ECCB International Netball Championship set to return, eight teams to compete

The 4^th ECCB International Netball Championship is all set to return and this time it will take place in Saint Lucia at the Beausejour Indoor Facility from September 22 to 28, 2024. Eight netball teams from across the region are all set to showcase their skills, talent and techniques on the international platform.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), in collaboration with the Caribbean Netball Association and Netball association of Saint Lucia are all set to host the series and coordinate all the activities required for the successful execution of the tournament.

The teams that will be participating in the competition includes, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s sponsorship of the tournament demonstrates the commitment of the Bank towards the overall development and empowerment of the region’s women through sports. This dedication of the Bank has been demonstrated through their willingness to inject additional funds in order to assist the teams with travel expenses given the increase in the cost for regional travel.

The ECCB International Netball Series is also gearing towards improving the netball in the member countries of ECCB and providing them with an avenue for the development of the young women both socially and physically.

Notably, the 3^rd ECCB International Netball Series was hosted in Antigua and Barbuda from 30 September – 7 October 2023 at the YMCA, St John’s. The seven ECCB member countries participated in the tournament including, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Cayman Islands.

Last year, the trophy was won by Grenada and they took home the Gloria Ballantyne trophy. They were followed by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda as the second and third positions, respectively.

The ECCB International Netball Series was launched in June 2019 in order to provide an opportunity to the netballers from the ECCB member countries to play international matches and improve their ranking on the global stage. The first edition of the series was won by Grenada, hosted by St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the second edition, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines took home the trophy and the tournament was hosted by the Commonwealth of Dominica.