IN 1996, under coach Linden ‘Sancho’ Alphonso, Guyana’s female team participated in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) tournament that was then called the CARICOM Championships, in Trinidad and Tobago.

The ladies went on to win the title that year which remains, to date, Guyana’s lone championship victory at the tournament.
But since then, things didn’t really look good for women’s basketball in Guyana. Lack of interest was shown by the administrators with some of their core players even making a claim that they are being unfairly treated since most of the attention goes to the men.
Guyana will send an all-local team to the CBC tournament this year where they will compete against the likes of Jamaica, St Vincent and Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago in Group B of the Women’s championship which runs from July 8 to 12 in Tortola.
Ann Gordon, who represented Guyana at the CBC Championship in Trinidad in 1986, was named as head coach of the team and she will have Brian Carter as her assistant.
Gordon is a well-respected figure in basketball, having been one of the most successful youth coaches. She led Guyana to their lone Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) female title last year.
She has benefited from participating in overseas coaching courses and, speaking with Chronicle Sports yesterday, Gordon, a former point guard, said that “Guyana will be the underdogs at the tournament”.
Unlike the men’s team who, apart from being blessed with having several overseas players, and their local arm being steadily engaged with club duties, the women only played twice and that was during the Inter-Association Championship.
“Yes, I know we haven’t played much or at all, but I think if these girls really focus and work extra hard, I believe we will do well,” Gordon said.
“What I know is that we will work hard, we have to work hard and as coach I have to find a way to push these girls and motivate them. We understand the position that we’re in at this point but these girls are hungry and will go there and give their best.” The national female coach said.
Gordon pointed out that Guyana’s unique position might be a blessing in disguise since their opponents might underestimate them, putting the ladies in an underdog position.
“I like being the underdogs and that’s what we will be at the games. People will underestimate us and I will make sure we take advantage of that. It’s just a matter of how well we apply ourselves, don’t get nervous and just play what we know. I think we’ll be fine,” Gordon noted.
Looking ahead, Gordon pointed out, “We don’t want to burn out the women. So we’ll be doing our drills, working mostly on team chemistry and game plans because we will have to play as a unit to get results.”
Asked if she will be looking to any particular player to lead Guyana, Gordon said “No, I will have to work on ensuring the girls play as one. It’s going to be difficult and I want them to understand that because nothing will be handed to us. We have to work hard, so, going ahead, I just want everyone to support us and believe in us to do well in Tortola.”

(By Rawle Toney)