Coach Pitterson-Nattie (left) and Netball Jamaica boss Marva Bernard. - file

The future of Netball Jamaica's head coach, Oberon Pitterson-Nattie, was hanging in the balance last night ahead of a meeting by the sport's board of directors.

Pitterson-Nattie and Netball Jamaica have failed to agree on a new contract, which would run until the 2015 World Netball Championships in Australia.

STAR Sports has been informed that Pitterson-Nattie rejected a new contract offered by Netball Jamaica last week. Yesterday, Pitterson-Nattie was absent from the Sunshine Girls' first training session after a five-week break following their dismal performance in the recent tri-nation series against England and New Zealand. Assistant coach Minette Reynolds and new fitness trainer Roy Thomas took charge of the session.

Local netball boss, Marva Bernard, who was present at yesterday's training session, told STAR Sports that her 13-member board of directors was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting last night to discuss the matter.

"We are having contract negotiations and these are ongoing and so as soon as we can tell you something, then we will let you know," said Bernard.

"We certainly hope that we can wrap it up soon because we have a very important championship to take part in and we are working towards that and so as soon as the negotiations are compete, we will let you know," Bernard said.

When contacted last night, Pitterson-Nattie said she would not comment until the matter is resolved.

The 43-year-old Pitterson-Nattie was appointed head coach of the Sunshine Girls in May 2011, after replacing Connie Francis in the lead-up to the World Netball Championships held in Singapore. The Sunshine Girls finished a disappointing fourth in the tournament.

Pitterson-Nattie, once regarded as one of the top defenders in the world, had previously coached the Sunshine Girls at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia. The Sunshine Girls are currently preparing this year's Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Scotland in July.

Meanwhile, Australian coach Jill McIntosh is set to arrive in the Island on April 1 to take up duties with the Sunshine Girls as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

Jill McIntosh - file