Psychologist, nutritionist, trainer to help boost Sunshine Girls
Published:Wednesday | August 9, 2023 | 12:10 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
HAVING ENDED the 16-year drought that left the Sunshine Girls without a World Cup medal, coach Connie Francis is looking to enhance the team going forward by incorporating a psychologist, a nutritionist, and a trainer.
The accomplished superstars secured the bronze medal in South Africa last Saturday, sending New Zealand home empty-handed for the first time in their history, just days after being denied the gold medal by Australia.
“I believe we should introduce a trainer and a psychologist to work directly with the team here in Jamaica. To achieve the status of world champions, we must take the necessary steps,” Francis told The Gleaner upon her return from South Africa yesterday afternoon.
“If we continue to provide insufficient support for our squad, all their hard work and dedication may only lead us to another bronze or second-place finish,” she contended.
As she enjoyed lunch at the Coral Cliff in Montego Bay, Francis expressed pride in the Sunshine Girls and remarked on the increasingly professional direction that netball is taking.
“While observing other teams during their sessions, it’s evident they have both a trainer and a psychologist. For the first time, we had three coaches – a specialist coach and an assistant coach. We also utilised video analysis for the first time, which transformed our approach to each team and proved instrumental in our success,” she disclosed.
Nevertheless, Francis firmly believes that the inclusion of a psychologist and a nutritionist will be crucial, particularly for nurturing the next generation of players. She emphasises the importance of providing unwavering support to younger players so they can excel and become the world’s top team.
“Our goal was to attain gold, and the girls put in tremendous effort towards that. We possess a strong talent pool. They maintained a positive attitude about securing a medal, even for those who had experienced multiple World Cups without success,” she observed.
Following their loss that eliminated them from gold-medal contention, the team refocused on securing the bronze.
In fact, Francis pinpointed several factors contributing to Jamaica missing the opportunity to compete for gold, expressing that they believed they had performed well enough to take the lead, but fate did not align.
“We’re now focusing on the positives. It’s been 16 years since we last won a World Cup medal,” she highlighted, acknowledging the unexpected nature of their rise as favourites.
Francis is certain that the team’s exceptional talent was a determining factor. When asked about any concerns regarding the Australian team, known for their top-class players, she confidently replied that at least six of Jamaica’s defenders play in Australia and are familiar with their team. The primary focus was on the mid-quarters, and after the first game, the Jamaicans emerged as a legitimate threat.
“We made critical mistakes in the final three minutes of the game. We had maintained a lead throughout, but fell short in the last two minutes,” she admitted.
Despite this setback, both Francis and their supporters view the team as world champions.
“Their exceptional performance against netball giants like Australia, England, and New Zealand demonstrates their prowess. Despite their stature, they shone among these established teams.”
During the match against New Zealand, Francis observed the team’s intense determination to win. She described their efforts to balance playing time among the team members while in South Africa to ensure everyone had a fair chance.
The public’s affection for the team was evident in South Africa, where they received widespread support, and the stadium was filled with cheers for Jamaica.
“In the eyes of many, we are champions. Even though we fell short, the sentiment remains that we are champions. We are loved. Our journey through Newark (USA) was marked by applause and appreciation at the airport.”
On their flight back from South Africa, the pilots recognised the team’s accomplishments and the applause resonated throughout the aircraft. “Upon our return to Jamaica, the same reception awaited us. This outpouring of support extends not only locally, but across the diaspora.”