Netball boss believes in short-staffed Sunshine Girls

KAREN ROSEN-BAUGH, president of Netball Jamaica (NJ), is backing the depleted Sunshine Girls to rise to the challenge and secure victory against England as they prepare for a tough two-match Horizon Vitality Series this weekend.

The national senior team, who left the island yesterday, will face the Roses from December 13–14 at the Copper Box Arena in London. Despite missing seven of their most experienced players, Baugh says the group travelling to England is capable of delivering strong performances.

“England are coming hard for the trophy because the trophy has stayed in Jamaica for the last year, and so we are taking it back to England with us, and we are playing to take it back to Jamaica,” said Rosen-Baugh.

“England have been performing well in their matches, and so you can never take anything away from an England team because they are well-trained and they have been playing series, and all of their top players seem to be available; and so, it should be a good test for us and for them.”

The Sunshine Girls, who won last year’s four-match series 2-1, with the other game ending in a draw, will be without captain Jhaniele Fowler, Shamera Sterling, Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson, Shimona Nelson, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, and Romelda Aiken, all of whom ply their trade in Australia and were unavailable for selection.

With many seniors out, head coach Sasha-Gaye Henry has named a young but determined squad led by veteran player and captain Shanice Beckford, with Khadijah Williams serving as vice-captain. Veterans Adean Thomas and Vangelee Williams, who is returning to national duties after almost five years, are also included in the squad.

“I think this team has been as well prepared as we could make them under all the circumstances. I feel confident that they are going to go out there and give their best,” Rosen-Baugh added.

Baugh said she has been encouraged by the team’s growth and mindset since it became clear the senior stars would not be available.

“I have definitely seen the progression of this team over the last few months when we realised that some of the senior players were not available,” she said.

“I have seen the players growing in confidence, and that is one of the most important things for us going into a series, and for the players to also know that Jamaica have their backs,” Rosen-Baugh underscored.

“There is nobody on the team that will be playing for the first time, because they have also hit the court before and were a part of the Sunshine Girl team. For me, they just have to keep that focus and have the confidence that they have the ability to compete well and beat any team in the top five,” she said.

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