Sunshine Girls get to work

President of Netball Jamaica Karen Rosen-Baugh says the Sunshine Girls have settled comfortably into their training base in London and are fully focused on securing a series win against hosts England Roses this weekend.

The highly anticipated two-match Horizon Vitality Series will take place at the Copper Box Arena from December 13–14, with Jamaica arriving in England on Tuesday and holding their first training session yesterday. According to Rosen-Baugh, the squad is upbeat and ready for the challenge ahead.

“We are settling well and we are now completing our first training session; and the girls are on schedule in terms of what we are aiming to accomplish from this series,” she said.

“The mood in the team is great, they are in high spirits and just happy to be able to play the series and get the games in for this international season.”

Rosen-Baugh noted that the players have arrived in England with intent and a desire to prove themselves on the international stage.

“They are pretty focused and want to prove a point that they are not just here because they have been afforded the opportunity to come, they are focused on winning and wanting, as a team, to make that happen,” said Rosen-Baugh.

The Sunshine Girls, who defeated England 2-1 in last year’s series, will be without seven of their most experienced Australian-based stars: captain Jhaniele Fowler, Shamera Sterling, Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson, Shimona Nelson, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, and Romelda Aiken.

POSITIVE APPROACH

Rosen-Baugh highlighted that despite the absences of these players, the team’s approach remains positive and ambitious.

“The mindset is that Jamaica needs to see a good performance from them, and so they are determined to put on a good show,” she said.

“However, they know that it is going to be a tough series because when number three and number four are playing each other, it is always tough, it is always an intense series. England are playing at home, so the Copper Box Arena will be full of their fans.”

The Sunshine Girls team will be captained by veteran goal attack Shanice Beckford, and Rosen-Baugh pointed out she has embraced her leadership responsibilities.

“Shanice is definitely stepping up as captain because she is one of the senior players on this squad right now, and she is really leading from the front and the players are working with her and cooperating, and they are working together as a team,” the NJ boss stated.

Rosen-Baugh underscored that support from Jamaicans living in England could provide a boost for the Sunshine Girls as they aim to topple England on their home turf.

“But we are hoping that those in the diaspora will be coming out to support the Sunshine Girls; and the mindset is that we are going to put what we are training for into practice and come away with a series win.”