Jamaica win, but NZ keep trophy
Netball New Zealand is keeping hold of the Taini Jamison Trophy despite the Silver Ferns having lost the most recent series decider to Jamaica.
NNZ’s head of events Kate Agnew fronted with some answers after Netball Jamaica president Paula Daley-Morris criticised the decision not to let the Sunshine Girls take the silverware home, even though they won the final 59-53.
The Taini Jamison Trophy was introduced in 2008 and is contested when any national side other than Australia plays the Silver Ferns in New Zealand.
Agnew said it was simply a physical symbol which represented the history of the series, and they could not afford to let it go offshore.
‘‘Each series is a discrete competition. It is not a defendable trophy. Each series stands alone and each series is recorded on the trophy. Jamaica won the series. They don’t hold the trophy. Each series is independent of all the others so you can win the trophy but it doesn’t mean you are the holder,’’ Agnew said.
‘‘Because of the value and preciousness of the trophy we couldn’t afford to have it go offshore either. For insurance purposes and its ongoing value in the history of New Zealand, we can’t really have it go offshore.’’
The Silver Ferns lost twice to Jamaica during the series, going down by six goals in the decider. New Zealand then lost to Jamaica again in the bronze medal match at the Commonwealth Games.
Daley-Morris told Jamaican media that the players were upset they could not take the trophy home, as it was a milestone victory.
‘‘At the end of the series for the Taini Jamison Trophy, we were anticipating receiving the trophy, but we were told that it has never been won by any other national team and that it couldn’t leave the country,’’ Daley-Morris said.
‘‘The team was disappointed in that we didn’t get medals or replicas, and we asked for even a picture of the trophy itself or even something symbolic to mark the occasion, and we haven’t received that either.’’
Plus Jamaica didn’t exactly leave empty handed either. They were presented with a framed motif and NNZ plans to send a personalised plaque to recognise their historic achievement next week. Their name has been inscribed on the trophy which will remain on display at their headquarters.
Agnew admitted the communication could have been clearer between the organisations.
‘‘I think we’ve got to absolutely take responsibility about making sure we are even more clearer about the status of the physical trophy itself going forward,’’ she said.
Netball NZ would consider making a replica trophy for future series, Agnew said.
Tournament winners do not always receive an original trophy. Replica trophies are often given to be taken home. World Rugby hands out replicas of the Webb Ellis Cup to every Rugby World Cup winner and they are not all the same size, while the Ashes cricket urn is kept at the Lord’s museum.