ANTIGUA & Barbuda, Barbados, and St Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) arrived on Thursday for the Americas Netball World Cup Qualifier which begins on Sunday at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) in Kingston.

The coaches of the three teams all said they had engaged in serious preparation for the qualifier and expected to grab one of the two qualifying spots, joining Jamaica who has already qualified but will compete to gain ranking points.

Lisa Smith, coach of the Antigua & Barbuda team, said: “The excitement is building. We have been looking forward to today, looking forward to get to our accommodation and get settled in. We have an amazing team [and] we’ve worked really hard, [and] we’ve put a lot of effort in this.”

Meanwhile, coach of Barbados Margaret Cutting expressed confidence saying, “We are expecting to qualify for the upcoming World Cup next year.

“I am pleased with [the preparation] because, coming out of the Commomwealth Games earlier in the year, one of our problems was fitness level. We went back and focused on that,” she shared.

St Vincent & the Grenadines’ (SVG) Godfrey Harry was also upbeat. “All nine teams being here in Jamaica to get those qualifying spots, and we are here to do just so,” he stated.

The teams were met on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport by Marva Bernard, president of Americas Netball, and Dwayne Gutzmer, chairman of the local organising committee.

“I am very excited. Coming to the airport to meet and greet these three teams and we are looking forward to this championship. It’s who is gonna make it is [the question] what is on my heart and wondering who is will be joining Jamaica. At the end of week we will certainly know. We expect high-class, competitive netball,” said Bernard.

Gutzmer said preparation for the championship has been smooth.

“The preparation has been going phenomenal to ensure that this championship is truly a spectacular event,” he said.

The competition schedule shows 36 matches starting Sunday and ending on Saturday October 22. Matches will be played every day, with some days having sessions in the morning and in the afternoon. Two courts have been laid in the NISC which will see two matches playing simultaneously. Eight of the nine teams will compete in each session, with one team resting. They will play in a round robin format.