AllStars A dominates final, claiming netball league title

The Clifton Hunter High School gym was buzzing with energy on 7 June as AllStars A emerged victorious in a fast-paced Women’s Netball League final, defeating Rising Stars A 67-31.

The enthusiastic crowd added to the atmosphere of the game, which showcased the growing talent and passion for netball in the Cayman Islands.

Lyneth Monteith, AllStars A coach, told the Compass that she’s overjoyed about her team’s win, praising them for their adherence to the game plan and their exceptional fitness.

“[They] had a game plan, and each quarter I would reinforce [it] and they stuck to [it]. Plus, my girls have been working hard in terms of fitness, so they’re super fit [and] that showed,” Monteith told the Compass.

AllStars A captain Katherine Gow echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s dedication to fitness training.

“We’ve always had a high level of skill when it comes to the game itself, but … strength and conditioning has really helped us in terms of fighting for every ball,” Gow told the Compass.

Despite the one-sided loss, Rising Stars A displayed grit and determination.

Although this was not the result Orvin Palacio, Rising Stars A coach, was looking forward to, he commended his team for their focus on playing together, especially given the absence of several key starting players.

“They played with guts tonight,” Palacio told the Compass, saying his team “gave a good account of themselves regardless of the score”. Calling the team a work in progress, he said they will go back to the drawing board for next year’s league.

Merary Eden, captain of Rising Stars A, while disappointed by the loss, acknowledged her pride in her team performing “really well” despite the circumstances.

“We were down a lot of key players, but we held our game,” Eden told the Compass, adding that they reached their target of scoring at least 30 goals, showcasing their strategic approach even in adversity.

Lucille Seymour, past president and one of the founding members of the Cayman Islands Netball Association, attended the finals and described the event as a “brilliant display of netball”.

“In just eight months, Faith Crooks and the new executive team have significantly improved netball, especially the club play, which is evident and growing stronger,” Seymour told the Compass.

“The skills of the players and their improved physical health were clearly evident during tonight’s game,” she said.

Crooks told the Compass that this is her first women’s league since becoming Netball Association president and she is pleased with the outcome of the final event.

“I saw excellent execution in the game from all the players [and] the crowd was energised,” she said.

Crooks also shared that players from these teams will be selected to form the national team that will travel to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) International Netball Series in Grenada this August.

This series is approved by World Netball, which means participating teams can gain world netball rankings, improving their standing on the international stage.

The final standings for the 2025 Women’s Netball League: