54 The Courier sun • JANUARY 23, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com sports MIDDLE SCHOOLS NET NETBALL ROSEDALE JETS FLYING HIGH Netball launched in two Queens schools BY LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com Young girls in south Queens now have an opportunity to play a different version of a familiar sport. Netball, a form of basketball that is primarily played by women and girls, was added to the Department of Education’s (DOE) Cooperative, Healthy, Active, Motivated, and Positive Students (CHAMPS) program, which provides a variety of sports and activities for youngsters in hundreds of public schools. P.S./ M.S. 147 Ronald McNair in Cambria Heights and I.S. 192 The Linden School in Saint Albans are among the six schools citywide that are currently participating in a pilot program to introduce the sport. “I’m so excited, because our goal was to get into the U.S. educational system,” Sonya Ottaway, president of Netball America, said. “It’s a great opportunity to get girls more active and just get them excited about sports again. It’s about giving them another option.” Although netball was invented around the same time as basketball, the sport is very popular in foreign STAR of the WEEK countries, such as Australia, England and countries in the Caribbean. Now about 70 million people in 20 countries play the sport, according to stats from Netball America. Netball, like basketball, mainly consists of shooting a ball in a hoop to score points. However, unlike basketball, opposing players aren’t allowed to make contact with each other and there are seven instead of five players on each side on the court. Also, players on offense don’t dribble, but pass to advance the ball, and some players are redistricted to certain areas of the court. Since mostly girls play the sport, traditional uniforms have skirts. However, boys can play the sport with shorts. “Basketball is too rough and soccer or rugby girls shy away from,” Ottaway said. “Because it’s a non contact sport, boys and girls can play together. How many sports can you have boys and girls on the same court?” Having the sport in the middle school system is significant, because netball organizations having been trying to grow the sport around the country for years. “Right now we are starting with the middle schools,” Ottaway said. “We want to have everyone but we are doing it piece by piece. Once girls see it, it’s going to pick up like wildfire.” If the sport becomes popular, it’ll be added to other CHAMPS schools around the borough and in the city as well, according to the DOE. Photos courtesy Netball America The sport of netball was added to the Department of Education’s CHAMPS program in two Queens middle schools. Rosedale Jets celebrate their ‘best year’ BY MAGIE HAYES mhayes@queenscourier.com The Rosedale Jets Football Organization celebrated a successful season, including three Super Bowl wins, at its annual awards dinner. The “Nasty 9s,” in the nine-year-old division, were among the Super Bowl victors. This win, however, was not their first. The 21-boy team won the 2012 Super Bowl game and kept the tradition alive this past season. “Their intent was to come out here and learn, and follow through from day one to completion,” said head coach Malik Cherry. “The guys played together last year. They already had a bond, and it helped with the transition in moving up to the nine year old division.” Cherry attributes the team’s undefeated season to teamwork and enthusiasm. “When they came to practice, they understood why they were out there,” he said. “They came to practice. They were focused. They had a lot of enthusiasm. They were out there to learn.” The Nasty 9s defeated the Hempstead Tigers in a 12-0 victory during November’s Super Bowl game, which they played in “arctic” conditions. Cherry said the temperature reached 15 degrees that day. Coaches wrapped the young kids in blankets, while they were on the sidelines and utilized all players, so others could have a chance to warm up. Cherry, in his sixth year coaching, said the past season was “one of the best experiences.” “My past experiences have been good also. The teams always play hard and put their best foot forward and give 100 percent regardless of any loss,” he said. “But to have a combination of the guys winning and playing their A game, this is definitely a good feeling.” The Jets’ 10-year-old and 12-year-old divisions also celebrated Super Bowl victories. All three teams were given trophies and jackets at the awards dinner on Sunday, January 19. “So often, we highlight when things go wrong, and I think we need to find a way to be enthusiastic when things go right,” said Jets president Jacques Leandre. “Being recognized reinforces they’re special, and can and will be successful.” About 200 football players and cheerleaders, 45 coaches and team moms make up the Rosedale Jets organization. This year, it was recognized as the Nassau County Football League’s Organization of the Year. Officials said the 2013 season was the “best year Rosedale had in all its 52 years.” PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK The Rosedale Jets’ “Nasty 9s” celebrated their second Super Bowl win in a row this past season. They were recognized and rewarded at this year’s annual awards dinner.
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