Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

President of the Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ), John Eyre, has confirmed a 13-member, under-18 female team to participate in water polo at the XXIV CARIFTA Games Swimming Championships, to be held in Curaçao from April 9-13.

Nicholene Bryan, who was the top goalscorer in the 2008 Caribbean Island Swimming Championships (CISC) under-15 female category, heads the team, which includes Alexandra Beckford, who will make her debut at the Championships.

Christina Burke, Kristen Jones, Leigh-Ann Lewars and Gabrielle Mesquita are fairly new to the squad, which is completed by Ashley Henry, Ashley Kumst, Danielle Kumst, Christina Martells, Gabrielle Morrison, Rasia Reid and Samantha Simms.

Played fairly well

Eyre stated that the girls, who placed second at last year's championships, have played fairly well over the last few months and stand a good chance of winning if they apply themselves.

"Trinidad and Curaçao will be our toughest challenge. But the girls have been pretty consistent and should perform well," Eyre said.

Six swimmers were also named to compete in the Carifta Synchronised Swimming competition, which is scheduled for Aruba from April 14-20. They are Jamielya Shaw, Tashna Smith-Edwards, Alexandria Hinds and Breann Campbell in the 12-and-under category. Shannon March will participate in the 13-15 category and Michelle-Ann Gabbadon in the 16-18 age group.

Amanda Eyre, coach of the synchronised swimming group, said training was going well and the girls were working hard to place in the top three.

Solo events

"We will be especially competitive in the 16-18 category and the 13-15 solo events," she said. "The standard of synchronised swimming in Aruba is extremely competitive and Jamaica will have to work very hard to create an impact."