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Anderson still revelling in Queen’s success

Published:Wednesday | December 20, 2023 | 12:13 AMRaymond Graham/Gleaner Writer
Marvette Anderson (left), netball coach of The Queen’s School and Nardia Hanson, coach of St Hugh’s High School, discuss the game after their clash in the ISSA Urban Area Junior semifinal at the Leila Robinson Court on December 1.
Ian Allen
Marvette Anderson (left), netball coach of The Queen’s School and Nardia Hanson, coach of St Hugh’s High School, discuss the game after their clash in the ISSA Urban Area Junior semifinal at the Leila Robinson Court on December 1.

MARVETTE ANDERSON, coach of The Queen’s School netball teams, is still revelling in the success of her juniors, who defied the odds last week Thursday to win the ISSA All-Island competition, beating Manchester High in the final.

“Amazing indeed. Looking back on how it started, I can only attribute our success to God’s grace,” said Anderson.

Having lost the first two games in the first round of the urban competition and ending up as the next-best-third-place team and becoming All-Island champions is truly awesome,” said the veteran coach, who has been at the institution for 30 years.

Anderson commended her young charges for their wonderful performances.

“I had a group of young ladies who were willing to put in the work and fight, so I commend them for the work they put in. We rode on the motto, ‘The will to win; the desire to succeed; the urge to reach your true potential; these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence’,” she said.

“I just kept telling them the stories from where they were coming from and I think that it helped to motivate them along with the fact they were seen as the ‘underdogs’.”

There was even more to The Queen’s School story this season, with Anderson revealing her struggles.

“Personally it is humbling, as I had quit at the start of the programme. And to return and be able to guide the team to this championship showed me that everyone has a purpose to fulfil and really can’t hide from it. Thanks to the support from my HOD [head of department] Mrs Hinds, track coach Carlos Samuels and the parents, who all played a great role,” said Anderson.

The veteran coach was winning her eighth urban, and seventh All-Island title, but could be forgiven if she thought this was the most special.

“I won’t say it was more special, but it will hold a special place in my heart based on all we had faced.”

Anderson singled out four team members for their excellent performances all season.

“It was totally a team effort but four members, Mikala Morrison, Brianne Bailey, De-ziah Martin, and Gerlin Barnes were exceptional.”

Anderson, who had a stint as coach of the national senior team, is hoping that her girls will want to continue and become members of the national team, much in the same vein as Althea Byfield, Jodiann Ffrench, Nadine Ffrench, Khadijah Williams, Tashna Wolfe, Shanice Beckford, Simone Gordon, Abigale Sutherland, Shamera Sterling, and Carla Williams.