ROBERT BAILEY, STAR Writer

Courts Jamaica has renewed its three-year sponsorship of $5.3 million to Netball Jamaica (NJ). The handing-over ceremony took place at the Courts-furnished Sunshine Chalet yesterday. Courts will also be contributing $800,000 from the sponsorship to the Sunshine Girls Gold Rush Down Under campaign.

They will be contributing $750,000 eyecare expenses over three-years, while $750,000 will go towards sports psychology support.

The association will receive $1,500,000 towards Netball Jamaica's merchandising programme, and the remaining $1,500,000 will cover expenses for the Netball House, such as furniture, appliances and maintenance.

"We are committed to working with and assisting the team with its national netball programmes to ensure the continued development and success of our Sunshine Girls," said Dianne Pottinger, director of logistics for Courts.

"In addition to the health benefits of exercise, players also learn lifelong technical skills and develop an appreciation for the importance of team work."

Pottinger added that sports also serves as a unifying force capable of bringing together a large group of people and even boosting the morale of an entire country.

Netball Jamaica president, Marva Bernard, expressed delight after receiving the cheque.

"It means whole lot to us," said Bernard. "What Courts is saying is that they are looking after all our squads, and not just the Sunshine Girls, but all the squads that will use this house," she said.

Bernard added that the response corporate Jamaica has shown towards their Gold Rush Down Under campaign has been excellent, and this is a testimony to the hard work that her association has been putting out over the years.

"It is not a surprise to us that Courts would want to come back and giving us things that we never envisage, but things that we always wanted," Bernard noted.