Sterling’s strong season buoys coach Francis

In a season where goalkeeper Shamera Sterling joined the list of national netball players to win a title in Australia, national senior head coach Connie Francis is not only pleased with her stellar play but also heartened that she is healthy to help guide the Sunshine Girls in their pursuit of glory at the Netball World Cup.

Jamaica are looking to use the momentum gained from their Commonwealth Games silver medal run last year to finish in the top three for the first time in more than a decade.

Sterling returns to the fold for the first time since that Commonwealth Games run and has been boosted by a stellar season in the Suncorp Netball League in Australia, helping the Adelaide Thunderbirds win their first title along with national teammate Latayna Wilson.

Francis is glad to have Sterling back in the fold but also to see that she is not worst for wear after injuring her leg in the playoffs.

"The same time I heard that she tweaked the leg, I got the news that she was good. Being Shamera's coach, I have also had scares like that when we were in England with her knee," Francis told STAR Sports, referring to the Commonwealth Games last year.

Sterling finished with the third-highest net points in their championship-winning season, second in defensive rebounds and led the league in deflections.

Francis says Sterling and the other Sunshine Girls have been invigorated by her performances this season.

"I always say something to her like, 'Well done' or 'You didn't play so well this game' and she would say, 'Well coach, I wasn't feeling so well, but you know I'm going to get it together'," Francis said. "This bunch is a close-knit bunch. They watch her every game, and everyone is always saying something to each other about their game and their performance. Nothing misses us as if we are there with her."

It is that energy, especially from those who have played in Australia this year, Francis says will serve them well, having played against top-level competition consistently.

"It is a good feeling to know that 'wi little but wi tallawah', and we are taking the tallawah to the big stage and really playing well every game," Francis declared.