Netball

The most practiced sport in the Caribbean - Calypso Netball - born Portuguese. In Trinidad & Tobago, the history of this sport would not be complete without mentioning the human investment in the Portuguese community rooted in the islands. Early on members of the Portuguese saw the "Calypso Netball," a unique opportunity to demonstrate their talent and courage, as any other ethnic group had done previously. Through this brief article we get to know the early days of sport 'netball' names and the Portuguese who took part in the development of sport most practiced even today in the Caribbean Islands.

By the year 1910, the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, had already discovered oil in commercial quantities sufficient for this magnificent "black king" was the basis of the economic future of this country. However, the world at that time went to collect ingredients for 'cooking', which became the First World War - a disastrous path that led the world in four years of war (1914-1918), mobilizing more than 65 million of military forces from 27 countries.

At the end of the war the world has witnessed the sad reality of human selfishness and barbarity, as a result, 8,528,831 deaths; 21,189,154 wounded, 7,750,919 people reported missing, the appalling number of 37,468,904 of causality, ie, 57% of the total number of participants in the war. The climax of World War brought changes not only in development, as in reconstruction and reconciliation of a new world, the need to find and grow with strength and respect equality among nations and their peoples.

It was this stirring world, in many cases caused by oppressed peoples in the hemisphere to the conflict, which in most cases the situation was imperialism and colonialism, which has a large well-planned strike on the island of Trinidad, headed by 'Howard Bishop' in 1919. Followed by hundreds of people on the morning of December 3, 1919, Howard raised the banner of "Trinidad & Tobago Working Men's Association", demanding better working conditions and reduction of 9-hour working day to eight hours of daily work . Thus was born a new union "Trade Union Movement in Trinidad & Tobago," and with it new hope for the future.

Around the same time, a group of students in schools, "Bishop's Tranquility Girl's Intermediate", "St. Joseph Convent" and "St. Teresa Convent" had the idea of ​​developing a new sport, it would be "Netball". An idea developed by Borman Daisy, the first woman - after the war - to go to London to receive what was called then - liberal education - in London received the necessary knowledge to find the sporting discipline that would be used in "Netball". Thus, in early 1920 in Trinidad & Tobago was made between school groups the first game of "Netball".

Perhaps these historical data are related to our readers, not for the fact that 'history' of a very high number of people of Portuguese blood to be involved in the 'birth' of that and now the "Calypso Netball," the pride of Trinidad Sports & Tobago, played in all the Caribbean Islands, 53 years of the League Netball in Trinidad & Tobago (T & T), 46 years Championships in the Caribbean, West Indian, 32 years of World Championships (1996 data) .

When the first team 'Netball' was formed in T & T, "The Mongnolia," the young lawyer Daisy Borman offered to help the Portuguese group of girls interested in practicing sports discipline related to "Netball". By this time, the group of girls already called themselves "Mongnolias", being the chief organizer of this team, Anthony Neves. In time another team was formed. Thus, in 1939, and Elaine Gay Gomes Araujo, left the team "Mongnolia" to form a team of "Bluebirds."

At the same time Mannie Pinheiro, an ardent companion and coach of the empire "Netball", understood the necessity of founding the League "Netball". He spoke on the subject with his friend Anthony Neves, who supported the idea immediately. From that time - 1939 - began to gather in the building of the Portuguese Association, and began to prepare regulations and standards to form the alloy. On February 9, 1940 a meeting took place in the league of "Northern Ladies Netball". At this meeting the most important topic was the selection of the official opening date for this league history. The date was chosen to Saturday 17 February 1940.

The framework was composed of directors; Councilman George Cabral (team president); Daisy Borman (first vice president), Anthony Neves (Secretary) and Mannie Pinheiro (Deputy Registrar). That same year he was presented a framework for players and teams, with the largest number of players of Portuguese origin:

a. Magnolia 'A'-The first league formed in Trinidad & Tobago; Elsie Wells (captain, Jardine Baby, Cecilia Snow, Marjorie Cunha, Sergio Sylvia, A. Neves, Zolla Guzman, K.Gomes, Halphide Vera, J. O' Hallovan Elaine Camacho, Z. Gomes, Nore de Sousa, and C. de Douza Bernace Fernandes.

b. Bluebirds - The Second League in Trinidad & Tobago; Gabriela Gomes, Cynthia Lake, Rochard Rita, Rita Araújo, Eileen Araujo, V. Franco, J. Smith, Mauriel Franco and Jessie Smith.

The opening of these two teams on February 17, 1940 was officiated by Councilman George Cabral. The game was the "Queen's Savannah Park" with a huge number of spectators, who paid the amount of 12 cents (T & T), to see the beginning of the game, the dominant form of the team 'Mangnolia A' against the team ' Bluebirds'. The crowd witnessed the event, especially sports, as the team 'Mangnolia A' team won 23-3 'Bluebirds'. Excelling A. Neves with 13 goals and Nora de Souza with nine goals, respectively, of both team 'Mangnolia A'.

In April 1940 the Board of the League was composed of the following teams: The Mangnolia; Perseverance; Bluebirds, Malvern, Chinese, Government Training College, and Mongnolia B. Two years later the picture was composed of 25 teams.

With the inauguration of the team "Northern Ladies Netball League" in 1940 interest in the sport has expanded to all corners of the twin islands, (T & T). The teams were organized and the taste for the sport grew and grew. In contemporary times sport 'netball', and not only known and practiced in the Caribbean and throughout the world, including Australia, England, Jamaica, Wales, Scotland, Fiji, Singapore, Canada, New Guinea and New Zealand.

The year 1962 was rich in history. The population of T & T was preparing to celebrate its independence on August 31 of that year. The team 'Netball' T & T was preparing to win the first World Championship in 1963 in Eastbourne, England, which would be the beginning of many championship wins. In 1979 the Fifth World Netball Championship was enjoyed by 25 countries. This year also the T & T was World Champion. In some countries 'Netball' was considered the 'basketball' women, due to regulations of the 'Netball' are taken from the 'Basketball' sport invented by a Canadian / American, Dr. James Naismith.

During the Second World War there were many attempts (unsuccessfully) to eliminate the sport. In 1990 'Netball' has been considered one of the most popular sports worldwide. It estimated that more than 2 million players are active in competitions around the world in 36 countries members of the IFNA alone, Australia has over 263,000 registered players and many more playing in leagues in the primary and secondary school system.
Some prominent personalities of the sport of Portuguese origin

George Cabral - was born on the island of Trinidad on 23 October 1887. Son of islanders fleeing religious persecution, and the third of four sons. At the age of 25 years, was a member of the Portuguese Association and director of the Association of Music and Orchestra. Later he was also president of that Association. He married the daughter of a rich merchant and known at the time, Mr. JJ Ribeiro. The marriage was two sons and six daughters. In 1930 he ran for election to Deputy Mayor of Port of Spain, a position he held for 25 years. In the year 1940 was a member and founder of the Northern Ladies Netball League 'in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad & Tobago. It was the first president of sports team and has retained its position from 1940 until 1946. In 1947 he was a benefactor of the same alloy. In the period 1947-1948, and 1951-1953 was again elected Mayor of Port of Spain. During this time remarried in February 1953 with Ursula dos Santos. Given the history books of the same House as the first President, until the time that had contracted a marriage during his post. * (See attached sheet). As well as being the man who arranged the celebrations for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. For that reason received the Merit of Honor C.B.E. Queen. Besides all this involvement served very well on 16 committees important to the Portuguese community and society in the country of his birth. In his spare time still managed to compose several pieces of music for classical piano. He died of a heart attack on February 4, 1965.

Mannie Pinheiro - became known as 'The father of netball in Trinidad & Tobago'. Born in Woodbrook, Trinidad on February 10, 1908. Son of Madeira, no one knows for sure what year your ancestors came to the island of Trinidad. Showed early and gave proof of great administrative ability. He began working for Mr. JG Henriques as Secretary of Customs. Lover of everything involved in sports, from football, cricket, boxing, wrestling. What led you to be the 'founding father of the Northern Ladies Netball League of Port of Spain. Closely linked to the Portuguese Recreation Club, was there that he joined with a group of friends to play cricket and football. A man who never drank alcohol, never smoked, has devoted many hours to sport family, the love of it. Impeccable in its opinion, and charismatic personality, always won the friendship of the players on teams where he was coach. Mannie was an example and Pinheiro a proud National Trinidad & Tobago.

Gay Luces Nee Gomes - A descendant of the Portuguese, was born in Belmont, Trinidad on the 16th of March 1918. Together with his friend Eline Araujo, formed the team 'Bluebirds', after leaving the team 'Mangnolia A' in 1939/40. Reformed, he lived until a few years in the Community Living Waters, which recalled with nostalgia the best years playing 'netball' - 1941, when his team won every game.

* All information contained in this article was selected through surveys on the island of Trinidad, in the cities, 'Port of Spain', 'Chaguanas', 'San Fernando', 'El Socorro', and 'Couva'. Information collected in the book, 'Calypso Netball in Trinidad & Tobago' - 1994 - Anthony Clarke. And the kind collaboration of the Honorary Consul of Portugal in Port of Spain Trinidad & Tobago, Mr. Ignatius S. Ferreira, also President of the Portuguese First of December, in the same city.