Johnson hoping to make mark with Sunshine Girls

AFTER a disappointing fifth-place finish at last year’s Netball World Cup, the Sunshine Girls will be hoping for better results when they take on three of the top five countries later this month in a friendly tournament in England, the Vitality Netball Nations Cup.

The Sunshine Girls will go up against New Zealand, South Africa, and hosts England, and they will do so without five members who participated in last year’s Championships.

The Gleaner caught up with one of the newest members of the team, Shannika ‘Bolt’ Johnson, who at 33 years-old, will be representing the country for the first time.

The former Mannings High and Mico University College representative is elated about her first call-up for the national senior team.

“I am happy, humbled, and elated to know that I will be representing my country for the first time, and this is really a joy and privilege for me,” said Johnson. “I have made several attempts before to make the team but without success but I did not give up as I was encouraged by many people to continue despite wanting to give up.”

Johnson, who is a defensive player, will have big shoes to fill as she will now take on the role once occupied by the experienced Vangelee Williams, her former teammate at Mico.

She, however, made it clear that she is ready for the challenge.

“Vangelee has a lot of experience, and this will be very challenging for me, but I have been working very hard, and once I continue to do this, I am confident of doing well,” she stated.

She knows that all eyes will be on the team, with fans expecting a reaction following last year’s NWC, and is more than aware that as a newcomer, there will be added pressure on her to show that she belongs on this stage.

“I am anxious and nervous, and I know that a lot of pressure will be on us, especially the newcomers, but we are gelling well and we have been building good chemistry with the more experienced members of the team, and overall, the vibes [are] great. The team did not do well at the World Championships, and that we cannot change because that has gone, but we can work hard now and make it better.”

Meanwhile, new national coach Connie Francis has high hopes for Johnson.

“She has worked really hard and is doing very well in training and truly deserves her spot on the team,” said Francis.