Evering out of WNC, Sunshine Girls squad sad

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Members of the Sunshine Girls squad have reacted with disappointment at the news that defender Kasey Evering has re-injured her surgically repaired left knee, and will therefore not take part in this year's World Netball Championships (WNC) in Singapore.

Evering, who is currently representing Canterbury Tactix in ANZ Netball Championships, which is played in Australia and New Zealand, injured her knee during a collision with her former national teammate Carla Borrego, who plays for the Adelaide Thunderbirds, on April 3.

"It's a huge blow," said Simone Forbes, former captain of the Sunshine Girls. "When I heard about it I was like, 'Oh my God, what is happening?' because it's not just us in Jamaica but also Australia who have lost two of their key players as well, so it kept me wondering," she said.

"The beauty about this team is that we have depth, so we don't have Kasey (Evering), which is a big blow, but we have young players who are capable of stepping in and filling her shoes," Forbes said.

She continued: "Sure, it's a big shoe to fill but we can look to players like Malysha Kelly, who is a young and talented defender who is hungry for success.

"Malysha, along with Nicole (Aiken) and Althea (Byfield), I believe can do a very good job at the World Netball Championships, if they get selected, of course," Forbes reasoned.

Big blow

Byfield, who has teamed up with Evering in Jamaica's defence for the past nine years, was really sad to hear about her injury.

"It's always a shocker and a big blow when you lose a crucial, vital player from a team let alone one of the most experienced defenders," said Byfield. "We will have to just regroup and I am confident that someone will be able to fill that gap."

Byfield added: "Malysha Kelly, Nicole Aiken, Kameika Sherwood and also Paula Thompson can play in the circle so there is coverage."

Jill McIntosh, technical director of the Sunshine Girls team, said Evering will be sadly missed, but noted that they have a number of players who can fill in.

"It is a tremendous blow because Kasey is an extremely experienced defender and she has played for Jamaica on many occasions, and to lose someone of that experience is a big blow," said McIntosh.

"However, in saying that, we have a squad and we have other players that can step up," she said. "They are capable players and it will give them an opportunity to play together on the world stage."