Robinson predicts top two finish for Girls at Games

President of Netball Jamaica (NJ) Tricia Robinson says she is very optimistic and confident that the Sunshine Girls will finish in the top two at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Robinson made her prediction after her association selected a very strong 12-member Sunshine Girls squad on Wednesday evening for the Games. The squad includes six players who are currently plying their trade in the Suncorp Super Netball League in Australia.

They are captain Jhaniele Fowler, Shamera Sterling, Shimona Nelson, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jodi-Ann Ward and Latanya Wilson. The other members of the squad are Shanice Beckford, Adean Thomas, Shadian Hemmings, Nicole Dixon-Rochester, Rebeckah Robinson and Khadijah Williams.

The Sunshine Girls won the bronze medal at the last Commonwealth Games and Robinson said, based on the strength and depth of this team, Jamaica should be in the final in Birmingham.

“It is an experienced squad and we expect them to do well,” said Robinson. “We are providing all the necessary support, and we are hoping that they will do better than they did at the last Games,” she said.

“I am expecting them to put it all out on the court and do their best and to bring home a medal, and that is the only thing I am asking of them,” Robinson stated.

The NJ boss underscored that the local-based players have worked extremely hard in their build-up to the championships along with the overseas-based squad members and they are all physically and mentally prepared to deal with the rigours of the competition.

The Sunshine Girls finished a disappointing fifth at the last Netball World Cup in 2019 in Liverpool, England, but Robinson said that is now behind them and they are looking forward to a successful year.

“The players are focused on the path ahead and what is necessary for them to get on the podium, because they know what it takes to be champions, and I think that is what they are focusing on going into this Commonwealth Games,” said Robinson.

“We are looking ahead now because we have the Commonwealth Games, and this a big-ticket item for ranking points. And we have the Netball World next year and some tours in-between, and so, yes, we are looking forward,” she added.