‘I felt like an outcast’

SUNSHINE GIRLS head coach, Connie Francis, said that she will continue helping Jamaica to win a gold medal at netball’s biggest showcase.

Francis has expressed an unwavering commitment, work ethic and led Jamaica’s senior women’s netball team to an unprecedented achievement, a historic silver medal finish, at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

In spite of that landmark success Francis, a former top national player and captain, says that she does not feel her work will ever be good enough for some top members of Netball Jamaica (NJ).

Francis pointed out that since taking over the job in 2019, apart from President Tricia Robinson and a few board members who have shown her continuous support, her competence and methods have been under constant scrutiny by others, and that has also contributed to the mental breakdown she experienced.

“I am disappointed when it comes to some things netball and the hierarchy of netball. I was expecting a little bit more when it comes to backing (supporting) me,” said Francis.

“I would have gotten it (support) with the president and some board members, but leading up to the Commonwealth Games there were a series of stuff that I had to endure,” she disclosed.

“At the time I never felt a part of it. I just felt like an outcast giving my best. I felt like I didn’t make a contribution and this is the feedback (I got) from the hierarchy of netball,” Francis stated.

In her three years as the team’s head coach, Francis said that her work has been placed under a microscope and her competence constantly called into question.

EFFECT ON MENTAL HEALTH

Although not expecting praise, she expressed that the lack of appreciation and constant scrutiny eventually started to affect her mentally.

“I had been with the girls for a while and they had seen improvements, but the things I had to endure about not doing it right,” said Francis, a former top Jamaica netball representative. “They didn’t hesitate to call me to meetings to complain about some things, and sometimes I was shocked (at complaints) but I had to endure all of that.

“The stress that came on to me was because of netball, and even though I don’t think I will ever get that support, it is OK.”

She continued: “When I took on the job it was about doing what I could to ensure Jamaica was challenging the rest of the world.”

Despite her success at the Commonwealth Games, Francis is anticipating more of the same. And although she lacks support from within, Francis insists it will not affect her and the team’s effort to strive for a gold medal at next year’s World Cup, because of the new found support she has discovered outside the top netball circle.

“I don’t think it will affect me (for World Cup) because I am seeing a family outside of netball and I am coming to give my best,” said Francis. “I have been here three years and it is the same. The difference is I am getting outside support, which has ignited me to give my best.

“That outside support I didn’t know I have, it motivates and encourages me and it makes me feel good,” she stated approvingly. “So for me I am just looking to finish what I started. I am not looking for improvements because I don’t think anything will improve where I am concerned. I am just working daily and embracing the other side of life while giving back to my country,” she continued.

“There is more for me to give for us to grow and try to get that gold. The girls are ready and willing to do everything they can for us to achieve our objective and I am not going to stop until we as a team try to do that.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com