The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been destructive to put it mildly, but sport continues to fight back.

On local soil the latest evidence of sport’s resurgence came with the completion of the 2023 Seprod/Netball Jamaica Elite League title on Sunday.

Just four teams played in the competition which lasted a month, but the excitement at the end suggests it was well worth it.

Manchester Spurs took the title, beating St Ann Orchids 2-0 in the best-of-three final at the National Arena. After winning the first game 62-54, the Spurs were pushed to the limit in the second, to triumph 50-48.

Winning captain Ms Shanice Beckford, who celebrated her 28th birthday on Sunday, perhaps summed up the occasion best.

“Overall, I am just grateful that we were able to play some netball after three years of not having the league due to COVID, and also getting the opportunity to get some match and court fitness under our belt in preparation for the (World Cup) this July,” said Ms Beckford who, we are told, is the current vice-captain of the national senior team, The Sunshine Girls.

The Netball World Cup tournament is set for Cape Town, South Africa, in what’s likely to be cool conditions at the height of the southern hemisphere winter.

In March, at the start of the local club tournament, Ms Simone Forbes, first vice-president of Netball Jamaica, had also spoken of the preparation value ahead of the World Cup, even as she applauded sponsors, including Seprod and Marathon Insurance Brokers, “who made it happen”.

Said Ms Forbes back then: “The players are very excited and happy that the league is on this year and are hoping that we will continue on this path for years to come.

“The competition is also an opportunity for the players to earn playing in this league…”

And while head coach for the The Sunshine Girls Ms Connie Francis says she would have preferred the local league to have gone on longer to provide more preparation ahead of the Cape Town tournament, she is clearly grateful that the selectors had a fresh look at available talent.

“… I am happy that they (players) got the opportunity to not only have the selectors see them but also to make a decision on them,” she said.

Ms Francis has placed emphasis on team chemistry and perceived potential for growth — always important as selectors in any sport do their job.

“It is about the growth with the squad, the growth with the senior players, the growth with the junior players, and having that chemistry… So those are the things we are looking for — the growth within the team…” she said.

We expect the Sunshine Girls and Netball Jamaica will enter the World Cup with fond memories of the inspirational performances at the Commonwealth Games in England last year.

Readers will recall that The Sunshine Girls took the silver medal — their highest ever placing at a global netball event — coming within five goals of conquering mighty Australia in the Gold medal game.

We wish our netball ambassadors all that’s good as they continue preparations for Cape Town in July.