SUPREME Ventures Limited (SVL) has renewed its partnership with Netball Jamaica for the Major and Minor Leagues, which got under way at the Leila Robinson Courts last Saturday.

The announcement was made by Sonia Davidson, vice-president of Group Corporate Communications, at the opening parade and ceremony held inside the National Arena, prior to the start of the matches.

Davidson said: “We are pleased to announce our support or the 14th renewal of Netball Jamaica/Supreme Ventures Major and Minor Leagues. Our sponsorship this year is valued at $4 million, which will assist with the execution of the leagues and includes hosting the opening and closing ceremonies.”

She said the sponsorship will also go towards rental of the Leila Robinson Courts for the games, prizes and trophies with the awarding of scholarships to deserving players, as well as bursaries to the coaches, valued at $600,000.

Davidson noted that SVL has contributed to Netball Jamaica since the partnership started in 2002.

“SVL has sponsored and provided scholarships for the Major and Minor Leagues (formerly Division ‘A’ and ‘C’ Leagues), and being the title sponsor of the International Sunshine Series from 2011, as well as taking on the outfitting of technical officials for the Sunshine Series from 2008-2010, and hosting seminars for administrators,” Davidson said.

Marva Bernard, president of Netball Jamaica, thanked Supreme Ventures Limited for its continuous sponsorship.

Meanwhile, for the Major and Minor League scholarships, each participating club will nominate a player who has participated in the competitions, and whom they think is deserving of the scholarships.

They will have five criteria to meet, with the nominated players and the application form being submitted to Netball Jamaica not later than Friday, April 24.

The Major and Minor League scholarships will be as follows: $110,000 for a member of the winning team, $70,000 for a member of the second-placed team, $50,000 to a member of the third-placed team.

Fourteen teams will be participating in the Major League, while 36 teams are contesting the Minor League over the next three months.

Meanwhile, Jamalco, Police ‘A’, Cablepro, Blades United ‘A’ all started their early challenge on a winning note.

Last year’s beaten finalist Jamalco registered a crushing 59-29 win over the newly promoted Friendship. The Clarendon-based team led throughout all four quarters.

Police ‘A’ who reached last year’s quarter-finals, came out with an exciting 48-44 win over promoted Alpha ‘A’. Capblepro fought hard before rallying to defeat Jetsetters ‘A’ 41-36.

Blades United ‘A’ defeated newly promoted Liguanea United ‘A’ 47-31.

In the SVL Minor League, Tantrum got past Boulevard Baptist ‘B’ 21-17; Top Mountain Flames defeated Rollington Town ‘A’; Waterhouse Eagles brushed aside Maxfield Park ‘B’ 28-9; Genesis beat Sports and Games ‘B’ 28-19; Fresh Approach outscored Tivoli ‘B’ 34-22; Global United ‘A’ put away Hannah Town 32-9.

Wolmer’s got the better of Alexander Strikers ‘B’ 21-17; Drewsland defeated Rollington Town ‘B’ 39-14; Queen’s Park clipped EXED Saints 15-14; Liguanea United ‘B’ breezed past Jetsetters ‘C’ 38-9; Arnett Gardens ‘B’ beat Police ‘C’ 29-14; Ocho Rios Magics defeated Spanish Town 28-19; Alpha ‘B’ got the better of De La Vega 25-18.

Both the Major and Minor League competitions are scheduled to continue tomorrow, starting at 5:45 pm.