Connie will continue until 2023

Sunshine Girls coach Connie Francis has revealed that she will see out her contract with Netball Jamaica and will prepare the national netball team for the 2023 World Cup.

Francis, who led the Sunshine Girls to a silver medal at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, complained after the Games that the job had drained her mentally and psychologically and she needed a break to revitalise herself before deciding if she would continue in the role for next year’s World Cup tournament.

Two weeks on, the former national goal attack says she has been working with a sports psychologist, spending time with family and friends, and is progressing slowly. As a result, she has decided to see out her contract, which ends after the World Cup.

Although initially promised a two-week time off, Francis’ vacation has been extended to four weeks.

She has put all things related to netball on hold and has utilised the time to reconnect with family and friends she was forced to neglect because of the demands of the job.

“I am on a four-weeks break just trying to find back the passion (for netball coaching). I have been working with a psychologist and I have been going out with my children and friends, trying to relax and unwind.

“It will take a little time because one of the things I have decided to do is not do any netball at all, and it is helping.

“So, I have been doing things that I have been kept away from and trying to get that balance,” she told The Gleaner.

She revealed that talking to her psychologist has made a great difference, as well as the support she has received from president Tricia Robinson.

However, it is the public support that has overwhelmed her and given her the impetus to push on.

“When I talk to the psychologist, and just being around different people and doing different things, I feel good.

“The president sends me something inspirational every day and I have spoken to one player in particular and she has been given me the support, and I have good family support from those who are here.

“But the wider public, everywhere I go, has been showing tremendous support and wants me to continue, and I intend to because I am never a quitter, although at some point you have to give in, accept the reality, and get that break,” she said.

With the progress she has made, Francis has decided to finish the job she started with the aim of matching their performance at the Commonwealth Games or going one better.

“One of my managers said to me: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going’. I have decided with my sports psychologist that, with all the support that I am getting around me, that I will finish my job in 2023.”

“I am feeling better now and I am getting there and once I am there and these girls continue to improve. It is about trying to surpass our best. We got a silver (Commonwealth Game) and I know that the gold is within our reach.

“It is now just to find out where we are as a team and ensure that our players are focused and ready to do the hard work to get that gold,” she said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com