Veteran defender Gordon shocked by 'surprise' recall

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Thirty-six-year-old defender Georgia Gordon has expressed surprise at her inclusion in the Sunshine Girls' 12-member squad for their upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand and Australia, respectively, in August.

The Jamaicans will oppose Australia on August 8 and 15, before travelling to New Zealand where they will battle the hosts on August 18 and 21.

"I was very surprised, because I didn't think that my level of play was enough to convince the selectors to recall me," stated Gordon in an interview with The Gleaner.

"It was shocking, because even though I was playing for Tivoli in the Super League, I still didn't think I was playing that well, where I was being noticed by the JNA selection committee.

"I never thought I would be back on the national team, because I was thinking more about getting into the administrative level of netball," said Gordon, a past student of St Hilda's High School in St Ann.

Gordon, the holder of a master's degree in human resource management from the New York Institute of Technology, last represented Jamaica in a three-Test series in 2005 against England, in the United Kingdom.

A veteran of three World Netball Championships, Gordon has been training with the national team for the past three weeks, part of which was a one-week training camp in Newcastle.

"When I just started training I was breathless, but now my body has been adapting to the training and I have been keeping up well with the other girls," she said.

More intense training

She explained that the training is now much more intense and harder than when she just started playing in the late 1990s.

"We had a training camp the other day at Newcastle and it was really hard because the coach pushes you to the limit, mentally and physically. But I think I am reaping the results of it now," she said.

Gordon, who played a vital role in helping her club team, Tivoli Gardens 'A', to win the Berger Paints Super League title in May, brings a lot of experience to the youthful team.

"I think that these young players can learn a lot from me, because I have been down this road quite a few times. But I am also looking to learn a lot from them, as well," said Gordon, noting that she is looking forward to the upcoming tours.

"I am excited about this series because I have been to New Zealand quite a few times before, and I have been to Australia once; and to get this opportunity to go there again, I am really looking forward to it," Gordon stated.

The full squad is: Romelda Aiken, Crystal Gordon, Anna-Kay Griffiths, Vanessa Walker, Nadine Bryan, Sasher-Gaye Henry, Sateva Taylor, Paula Thompson, Nicole Aiken, Malysha Kelly, Sasha-Gay Lynch.