Continue to invest in the Elite League, says Australia’s Kuhar

Australian netballer Hannah Kuhar, the lone international player in the just concluded Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica Elite League, has called on the organisers to continue to invest in the league.

Kuhar and her Manchester Spurs team swept all before them to win the final recently against defending champions Kingston Hummingbirds, who defeated them in last year’s final.

The Australian who is passionate about the growth of the league, gives the association a thumps up for their efforts to improve the league despite their limited resources.

“I think it is so important that Netball Jamaica continues to invest in this league, and the sponsors continue to be a part of it,” Kuhar said after the recent final.

She noted that an important element of the league that is being overlooked is its value in helping the national teams, such as the Jace Risers, prepare for international competition, like the Central American and Caribbean and Commonwealth Games, Kuhar also believes the league has set a standard that requires nurturing and continuous growth.

“You can see from where the Sunshine Girls are going and where the junior girls are going. Look at the Jace Risers. There is so much to like about Jamaican netball and it is really important that the investment continues, “ she said.

After suffering a heartbreaking defeat In last year’s final, Kuhar was elated that her team has been crowned netball champions of Jamaica

“We spoke about it last year and how much it meant to us to have an undefeated season,” she said.

“Sometimes the universe makes things happen in a particular way, and it really felt like the universe said it needed to be a two-year process and I am so happy.”

In a team packed with talent, Kuhar, generally a centre or wing attack, said her role was just to facilitate the ‘super stars’ like Shanice Beckford, Kaydeen Gordon, MVP Kimone Shaw and top shooter Mone Wilmot.

“My role is to support the super stars on my team. I am so lucky, that wherever you look from goal shooter down to goal keeper, we have some formidable netballers, so my job is to just hang back and support them to do their thing. I am really lucky to play with the girls we have,” she commented.

Despite her love for Jamaica and the Elite League, Kuhar could not confirm her participation for a third successive season in the league.

“For now I just want to enjoy this moment with my teammates. I am really lucky and really grateful for everyone in Jamaica for the way they have supported me for the last two years. I will be leaving with a lot of happy memories,” she said.