World Cup debutantes impress Francis

As Jamaica shoot for their first-ever Netball World Cup title, head coach Connie Francis has praised the play of her World Cup debutantes, defender Latanya Wilson and centre court player Crystal Plummer, confident not only in their short-term but long-term futures.

The Sunshine Girls will face Australia at 9 a.m. Jamaica time in their semifinal in Cape Town, South Africa, eager to make their first-ever final.

Wilson has been on the team for three years and was a part of the team that won silver at last year’s Commonwealth Games but is making her first World Cup appearance. Plummer, on the other hand, is making her major global tournament debut less than a year after getting her first senior call-up in October at the Netball Americas Qualifying tournament in Kingston.

Francis has applauded the way that Wilson has grown throughout, learning from her experience in the national team set-up over the past three years.

“Latanya plays like a player who has been to a few World Cups. And the good thing is that she has been playing with our national team for the past three years. That is the chemistry which takes her to all these different types of attacks that we have to face and the belief that they have,” Francis told The Gleaner.

Wilson also benefited from a strong season in Australia helping the Adelaide Thunderbirds to their first-ever SunCorp Super Netball League title along with ace goalkeeper Shamera Sterling.

For Plummer, while the nerves of being in her first major tournament were present, Francis has praised how quickly she has settled to the pace of the game at the elite level.

GELLED WITH TEAM

“She does get a bit nervous but you can hardly see it. She has hardly skipped a beat. It is a learning process for her. I can tell you that she has gelled so well with the defensive unit. I think that fits in so well. The sky is the limit for both of them,” Francis said.

For Plummer, her first World Cup experience is everything that she has imagined and more

“Honestly, it’s a different style than what I am used to. But as the games go by, I can see where I have been improving my game when it comes to contesting balls and limiting my obstructions and contact (penalties). Hearing all about the World Cup (from the girls) what I am experiencing now is just overwhelming for me and I am finding it amazing so far,” Plummer said.

They are two games away from making an amazing experience unforgettable but for Francis, she is confident that both careers are on an upward trajectory for greatness

“Latanya is a true contender and I applaud her for all the hard work because it is not easy facing all these styles of attack. To see these two ladies stand out is just remarkable,” Francis said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com