Netball gets $1-m Pepsi boost
The Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) on Thursday were handed a symbolic sponsorship cheque of J$1m from Pepsi-Cola Jamaica, through its brand Gatorade, to aid their cause as they continue to grapple with the harsh economic times.
Aside from the cash donation, Pepsi-Cola has also pledged an undisclosed quantity of Gatorade and Aqua Essential Purified Water products to hydrate the players during training camps and tournaments and has assisted with the construction of a study room at the association’s home located in Barbican.
The company’s general manager, Andrew Reid, told the Sporting World that Pepsi’s 2010 sponsorship is evidence of their willingness to assist the development of the sport islandwide.
“We are always happy to lend support to a needy cause. The netballers have done the country proud over the years and we just want to put our support behind them.
“We have been enjoying this kind of relationship with the JNA for three years. In 2008 we provided rehydration products and last year we did a cash donation of J$300,000 along with the fluids. This year we have struck an even bigger agreement and hopefully next year our budget will allow us to do even more for them,” Reid said.
This should come as a welcome boost to the cash-strapped local netball body, which recently received a team bus from local light and power company Jamaica Public Service (JPS).
The number four-ranked Sunshine Girls will square-off with world number three England in two Tests during the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Sunshine Series. Those matches will be played at the National Indoor Sports Complex (NISC) on September 1 and 3 as the senior team continues to prepare for the Commonwealth Games to be staged October in India.
JNA boss, Marva Bernard, dubbed the partnership between the JNA and Pepsi as being “a wonderful” one and is expecting it to continue for years to come.
“I have to say it is a wonderful partnership between us and Pepsi and I’m happy that they have finally fully come on board. They have been behind the scenes for some time, but this year we’ve gotten a substantial donation. We can only hope that they remain with us for the upcoming years,” an elated Bernard said.
