NETBALL Jamaica’s training and development programme has gained a significant boost with the announcement of a new partnership with Wisynco.

With an investment valued at over $5 million in cash and products, Wisynco is now the official hydration partner for Netball Jamaica through its brands WATA, CranWATA and Powerade.

During the period of the one-year agreement, the company will provide a cash injection as well as over 4,000 cases of products to serve the hydration needs of the Sunshine Girls, Jamaica’s national netball team, The Elite Netball Leagues and the Girls Under-14 and Under-16 programmes.

President of Netball Jamaica Marva Bernard expressed the delight of the players and the management team at the new partnership.

“The Sunshine Girls have a very intense year-round training schedule and quality hydration is of great importance. Our feeder squads as well as the players in our Elite League also benefit from this sponsorship. We welcome Wisynco as a valued partner and look forward to integrating their brands in our planned community and parish-based activities,” she said.

Director of Marketing at Wisynco Francois Chalifour said his company is committed to the development of Jamaica’s women in sport, as much as it is dedicated to the growth of the nation’s men.

“Wisynco is committed to enabling greater participation of women in sports and WATA is synonymous with optimum wellness and healthy lifestyle choices. It is against this background that we are most pleased to announce our new partnership with Netball Jamaica as the official hydration sponsor,” he said.

“The benefits of women’s participation in sports are clear. As the official sport for women in Jamaica, netball is singularly placed to ensure that our female population of all ages can enjoy the physical, psychological and emotional benefits to be gained from participation in regular physical exercise,” Chalifour added.

Currently ranked fourth in the world, the Sunshine Girls are preparing for their three-match series against England which takes place from January 10 to 13, 2015.

The ultimate goal for the team in 2015 is to improve their ranking at the Netball World Cup which takes place in Australia.

Captain Nicole Aitken Pinnock said the team members are focused on the upcoming three-game series against England and also have their eye on the top prize at the 2015 World Cup.

“We are doing everything our coaches ask of us, and after tough training the girls really appreciate the Wata and Powerade being provided by Wisynco.We thank them for coming on board,” she declared.

Wisynco has been consistent in its support of sports in Jamaica over the years, investing millions in sponsorship of football, swimming, and track and field. Wisynco also supports athletes with the hydration fluids necessary for optimal performance, and encourages all Jamaicans to incorporate physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The executives of Netball Jamaica and Wisynco made a joint appeal calling on the public to come out and support the Sunshine Girls in the series against England in January. Wisynco will shortly announce details of how followers of its social media channels will have a chance to win tickets to the matches.