PICKNEY Netball was launched this morning at the Leila Robinson Courts in Kingston.

It is about teaching basic school children, between three-six years old the game of netball to achieve certain basic objectives.At this stage it is less about competition and more about the enjoyment of the game in addition to the other games that the children play.

Three schools were involved in playing two short games at the launch this morning. They were Smurfs Early Childhood Centre, Sunrise Early Childhood Development Centre and St Richards Early Childhood Education Centre.

The three-four-year-olds of Sunrise and St Richards played a five-minute game on a half court using a number three size netball, and were cheered on by the appreciative crowd that included parents. They also used a shorter goal post of just 4.6ft. high.

In the 5-6-year-olds match between Smurfs and St Richards played a 10-minute match of two five-minute halfs on a full court.

St Richards has been teaching the game to the ‘pickneys’ since lat year September. According to one of their coaches, Donna James, the children are excited to learn the game, which they train for twice weekly in 10-minute sessions.

IFNA President Molly Rhone was very pleased that Netball Jamaica had started ‘Pickney Netball’. She gave her full endorsement while saying that number one ranked Australia had it and that it would certainly help Jamaica to have their own kids game format of netball.

Netball Jamaica President Marva Bernard got the idea for Pickney Netball and shared it with Kiwanis of Jamaica, who is now a partner for Pickney Netball. They plan to take it islandwide eventually.

Support for the novel idea came from the Sports Development Foundation, Kiwanis of Jamaica and Wata.