Suspended Sunshine Girls to know fate

An update on the future of the three suspended Sunshine Girls will arrive in a few days' time as head coach Jermaine Allison-McCracken made it clear that she is hoping for a quick resolution into the matter but warned that the trio must change their attitude if they are to move forward.

Netball Jamaica has indicated that the players - Khadijah Williams, Shanice Beckford and Nicole Dixon, who were suspended by Allison-McCracken prior to start of their drawn three-Tests series against Barbados for what was deem as ‘inappropriate behavior, will be meeting with organisation within a week.

Allison-McCracken, told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday, that she is hoping for a swift resolution to matter as she looks to continue her work with the team.

“I am happy to have a meeting with these girls anytime now, I am just waiting on the organisation to let me know when,” said Allison-McCracken. 

EVERYTHING TO GAIN

“They have everything to gain by being compliant. They are international athletes and they have that reputation to build on and so they have everything to gain," she continued. 

Allison-McCracken added that the players must agree to adhere to the rules and guidelines of Netball Jamaica before they can once again play for the country.

“Its just something that has to be done. I am not phased about it and I am just hoping that if they are good enough players and imposing enough young women that they will have a change of attitude and we will be able to move forward,” Allison-McCracken said.  

“They need to agree this is the way forward for them and if they chose not to join the programme again then that’s their choice,” Allison-McCracken noted. 

Meanwhile, the coach believes that the world number four ranked Sunshine Girls have a lot of work do ahead of the Caribbean Championships in August, this after their 1-1 draw against the Bajans last month. 

GOING TO TAKE TIME

“I am feeling fairly positive because we have another big job to do. Obviously, I was disappointed that we had a draw against Barbados,” Allison-McCracken said. “I have a lot of things that I need to put in place in terms of coaching and so I am just working, but it is going to take time."

“I am in here for the long route and swim training or pool work is just one aspect of what I want to put in place," she shared.

The Sunshine Girls received a major boost ahead of the Caribbean Championships, as top scorer Jhaniele Fowler-Reid indicated that she will be available for the tournament. 

Fowler-Reid is currently plying her trade with the Southern Steel in the New Zealand Netball League.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Bailey
Freelance Reporter