Missing seniors no excuse for Sunshine Girls

HEAD COACH of Jamaica’s senior netball team, Sasher-Gay Henry, says despite the absence of seven senior Sunshine Girls, she is backing her squad to deliver an excellent showing against their English rivals in next month’s Horizon Vitality Series.

The Sunshine Girls, who captured last year’s four-match series 2-1 with the other game ending in a draw, will be without several of their Australia-based stars, including captain Jhaniele Fowler, Shamera Sterling, Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson, Shimona Nelson, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, and Romelda Aiken.

This year’s series will see a change in its format due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa, with the teams now set to contest just two matches on December 13 and 14 at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Henry told The Gleaner that the focus remains on winning, but the situation also opens the door for other players to showcase their talent and abilities.

“We always want to win a series and so that is our expectation, and so despite the squad that we have because we don’t have the girls that play in Australia, this will give us a chance to look at other players and also for these girls who are here to make a name for themselves on the international circuit,” said Henry.

“It is the best squad that we have right now, and most of these girls have played at the international level before, and we are excited about this squad, and so we are just getting ourselves ready and preparing for this Vitality Series.”

Henry noted that the players remain upbeat, even though they are disappointed about not hosting England this time around.

“The players are in good spirits and they are excited, but they are very disappointed that they are not going to play England on their home turf, but despite that they are excited for these two games,” she added.

“As you know, England is one of the teams that always gives us that practice, and so we really want to sharpen up and look at what we have going into the Commonwealth Games next year. So they are in high mood and they are preparing as well as they can.”

Henry noted that the passage of Hurricane Melissa significantly disrupted their preparations for the series but despite this she is confident that they will put on a good showing against England.

“We have lost a lot of training time in our preparations due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa last month and it really set us back, but this is something that we didn’t plan for, and so we just have to rise and put that behind us and go out there and do our best,” Henry said.

“However, we still have a lot more work to do before the games, but these girls have been putting in work and so I am very pleased with that.”

The squad will see the return of 33-year-old veteran defender Vangelee Williams, who last played for the national side five years ago.

JAMAICA SQUAD

Attackers: Shanice Beckford, Rhea Dixon, Simone Gordon, Gezelle Allison, Mischa Creary

Centre Court: Khadijah Williams, Adean Thomas, Abigale Sutherland, Crystal Plummer, Zaudi Green

Defenders: Kimone Shaw, Theresa Beckford, Roxanna McLean, Paula-Ann Burton, Vangelee Williams