Netball Jamaica (NJ) says it still needs $7 million to get the National Under-21 team to the World Cup in Gibraltar in September after a $5-million donation by Supreme Ventures Foundation on Tuesday.

But NJ President Karen Rosen Baugh is appreciative of the donation and has called for more assistance as time draws closer to the tournament.

The symbolic cheque was handed over on Tuesday at Supreme Ventures’ offices at the Courtleigh Corporate Centre in New Kingston.

“It’s very hard for me to put in words how appreciative we are,” Rosen Baugh says. “I was really excited when their foundation had heard our call and were attempting to get the girls to Gibraltar for the Youth World Cup. So, we are very grateful and appreciative of their support.

“Our shortfall, up to last week, was almost $12 million, but the $5 million will definitely help us to secure the tickets to Gibraltar, which is on the other side of the world — too far away and pretty expensive to get to.

“So, we’ll be basically asking for more. We have quite a few conversations going on in the background, and hopefully, someone will come to the forefront, like today, and we’ll be accepting some more handover ceremonies because we know that the girls have to get there.”

Jamaica’s Under-21 Sunshine Girls are one of 20 teams that will compete in the World Cup, which runs from September 19 to 28.

Supreme Ventures Foundation Chief Marketing Officer Heather Goldson says it’s part of their corporate responsibility to assist the team.

“When we read of the plight of the girls, we decided we needed to step in and make sure they got there,” she says. “Netball has always globally punched above its weight. It is one of our biggest performers on the world stage and so, I think we owe it to our girls to support them.”

Jamaica finished fifth at the last World Cup, held in 2017, as the 2021 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.