MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Manchester Co-operative Credit Union (MCCU) has for the ninth year thrown its support behind the Manchester Co-operative Credit Union/Insports Under-12, Under-15 netball competitions.

At a function at the Social Development Commission’s (SDC) boardroom in Mandeville on Friday, a cheque of $1 million was handed over to representatives from participating schools.

Twenty-four primary schools and a combination of seven all-age and junior high schools across Manchester are registered for this year’s competitions.

Woodlands Primary won the opening Under-12 match 14-9 against Grove Town Primary following the handover on Friday.

Both the Under-12 and Under-15 netball finals will take place on June 14.

Michael Gottshalk, marketing manager at the Co-op, said that the funding will be divided into cash prizes and other incentives, including gear for the team, travelling expenses, support for coaches, medals, trophies and sectional prizes.

Players of the top four teams, he said, in both the Under-12 and Under-15 leagues will be facilitated in starting youth accounts.

The Co-op has also committed to provide the Most Valuable Player from the Under-12 league with a Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) bursary.

Gottshalk said that his organisation incorporated the primary league last year after working with Under-15 teams since 2005.

His organisation, he said, came on board initially as they realised that the trend in previous years was that while netball was doing well on the international stage, football teams received more recognition.

Gottshalk urged the young players present to exercise fairplay, discipline and to focus on honing their skills, instead of just winning.

“Our commitment is to continue to support the development of netball in this parish and by extension on the national scene. We (MCCU) have been here for 60-odd years. It is our duty to support the parish that has been supporting us,” he said.

Kaydean Holness, president of the Manchester Netball Association who came up through the ranks, starting as a player at the New Forest Primary and Junior High School, also offered words of encouragement.

“Use this opportunity well. Be a total student. Be good sports women,” she said.

Social Development Commission’s parish manager Beverly Boothe said that the students were “privileged” to have the support, as there are other parishes that are having difficulty receiving sponsorship.

To date, the Manchester Co-operative Credit Union said that they have netted a total of $6 million towards the development of the young netballers.