The 2011 LIME sponsored Caribbean American Netball Association (CANA) competition will get underway in earnest this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, June 11th and 12th, at the Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn, New York.

The expectation for another successful season is on the lips and minds of almost everyone involved after last Saturday’s opening day rally, uniform parade and march past in front of a lively audience that included Sheldon Keens-Douglas, regional head of sponsorship for telecommunication giant LIME, and Carole Hokrein, Secretary of the United States of America Netball Association – USANA.

“LIME is pleased to be associated with CANA in building awareness for the sport here in the USA and by extension, deepening the cultural bond between the brand and the overseas Caribbean community here in New York City,” noted Keens-Douglas, in town at the opening ceremony for the 15th annual Netball season this past Saturday, June 4th at Lincoln Terrace Park, Brooklyn, the home for this season’s tournament.

This is the second of a multi-year deal between LIME, and CANA, who insists the partnership is already paying dividends. “The outlook for the season ahead could not be better,” said Jackie Farrell, Public Relations Officer for CANA. “On the court, we expect keen yet friendly competition from the teams in all four divisions and thanks to our corporate partners and media interest and (our) crowd support is growing.”

With a number of teams being promoted from last season, Saturday’s opening day results got more than a passing grade from Hokrien, who is busy preparing for the USA National Championships to be hosted by CANA at Queens College, Flushing here in New York City on June 25th and 26th.

“Contrary to popular belief, the sport is alive and well. Just look at the color and competition on display despite the limitations,” Hokrein noted, pointing to what she said was not the best surface to play on at this level.

Crusaders Netball Club proved to be the best on display, topping the opening rally, ahead of MINC and Sunsplash. In the uniform parade, new comers Pivot NC created something of an upset, finishing in second place, behind Volcanoes NC and ahead of Islanders NC.