WITH THE first part of their Netball World Cup preparations complete, national head coach Connie Francis is not only been energised by the performances of her young team but is also imploring that they get the necessary backing for their continued development.
The Sunshine Girls ended the Netball World Cup regional qualifiers undefeated, capping it off with wins against Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The two countries secured their place in next year’s tournament in South Africa.
Jamaica, who had already qualified because of their high world ranking, were using the tournament to increase their ranking points as well as to see if some of those young players could challenge for places in the final roster headed to the World Cup.
Francis, excited about how her team rose to the occasion, also called for additional support for those who are poised to make an impact on the international stage.
“I thought I was hesitant to think they were fit enough. But what I have witnessed is they have really good fitness. It is about nurturing these girls to ensure that nourishment and travelling, things like stipend are there to encourage these girls to continue with our programme,” Francis said.
“They are doing extremely well. They gravitate to coaching and they are willing to learn. We need people to back them because the future is very bright for these girls.”
It is a future that looks set to include standouts like Crystal Plummer, who impressed at wing defence and Gezelle Allison. Plummer and Allison will get their chance at the international level in the upcoming Fast Five series in New Zealand next month.
Francis was heartened by the energy levels of the team while the performances, though commanding, were not always perfect. Though there are things to work on, Francis said the performances have made the decision for the final roster that much harder
“They have given me a lot to think about, I’m telling you. I see quite a few of them entering our squad,” Francis said.
Another welcoming sight was the fans returning in full voice.
“This is what we need. We need to have more games played here. And not only for us here but also to help to develop the Caribbean. When they (the players) go back home, especially the ones who did not make it to the World Cup, you wonder what’s next. But I can tell you what’s next for us is going to the drawing board to ensure that we continue the journey with these girls to ensure that their longevity in Netball Jamaica, with our country will be for another 10 years for some of them,” Francis said.