Netbal Jamaica First Vice-President Simone Forbes is thankful to Independence Park (IP) for the upgrades to the lights at the Leila Robinson Courts, located at the National Stadium complex.

Forbes told the Jamaica Observer that the lights had been in dire need of repairs for some time, leading to the postponement of some night games on match days.

“We are truly, truly excited and happy to see that the lights are being fixed at the Leila Robinson courts,” she said. “I know the business house netball association and we have our leagues, and there are other leagues run at the courts, so that is really our hub and our home.

“It has been a while since the lights were not in the best condition, but we are very pleased that, through IP, we are getting it fixed. I know it is something they have been looking to do for a while, so I am very happy they could find the funding to fix the lights so the courts can look like how we are accustomed to seeing them.”

Forbes, a former national team captain, said these courts are used for practice by various national teams in preparation for matches, making the lighting upgrades a significant boost.

“We have our national teams training outside sometimes, and we have the Under-16 matches coming next weekend between Jamaica and Trinidad, and those matches will be played at the Leila Robinson Courts,” she said. “This is a win for netball because some areas are usually darker than others, which is very dangerous. There have been times when matches had to be postponed or nearly called off because it was too dark. So, for this to be happening now is definitely a win for netball across the board for all the different groups that use the courts.”

Forbes says the upcoming series between Jamaica’s Under-16 team and their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts, as well as Denbigh High School’s Under-18 team against Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-18 team, will take place at the Leila Robinson Courts on September 20 and 22.

“We are happy that this is being fixed, and now the netball courts will look as bright as the basketball courts and all the other facilities within the National Stadium complex,” Forbes said.

“We are going to get a chance to test [the new lighting] in this series. Sometimes things happen for a reason, and I genuinely believe that. Trinidad was supposed to be part of Youth Summer Invitational Netball Week two weeks ago, but unfortunately, they were unable to make it. Now they will be here from September 18th to the 23rd, and next week we will get the opportunity to see what the stadium courts will be like with the brand-new lighting we are being gifted,” she said.