Latest News
Sunshine Girls shooting for Fast5 ‘podium’ finish
November 05, 2024
Nardia Hanson, co-coach of Jamaica's team to the Fast5 Netball Tournament in New Zealand, says they are keen on claiming a medal this time around, following a fifth-place finish last year.
The two-day tournament, which will be played at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the third year in a row, will see Jamaica playing among six nations.
On the opening day, Jamaica will play three matches, opening against hosts New Zealand before taking on England and South Africa. On day two they will play against Australia and Uganda.
Most of the country's top senior players are missing from the championship but Hanson says this has not changed Jamaica's outlook.
"Our expectation is no different from any other tournament that we have entered, once you are a part of the tournament the expectation is to finish on the podium," she said.
The team departed the country over the weekend and held its first training session yesterday.
"This climate is new for them so they are not yet acclimatised but with training and outdoor activities for the week they should be good," Hanson shared of conditions in the chilly southern state.
Given that the vast number of players are inexperienced at this level, Hanson expects that they will be somewhat nervous.
"We expect them to have little butterflies but nothing to keep them back from delivering on the big stage. Our opening game is against the host team so we know it is going to be nerve-wrecking for the girls, but we just have to keep reminding them we only have 24 minutes to get the job done", she said, indicating the time of each game.
This is Hanson's first assignment as part of Netball Jamaica's senior coaching set-up.
"I am feeling excited to be on the journey with such a wonderful bunch of ladies and of course, with coach Dalton Hinds, who is no stranger to international netball, is helping in guiding me throughout this tournament. Our team coaching has been great so far."
In last year's championship, the Sunshine Girls surprised Australia 38-36 in their first game. However, they were not consistent and ended up playing for fifth spot, getting by Malawi 36-31.
Australia recovered to defeat New Zealand 35-23 for back-to-back title successes.
