Francis: I’ve seen growth and determination

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls have been powering through their Americas Netball Regional Qualifying fixtures as the squad of mainly young players looks to maintain their intensity.

After yesterday’s 85-30 win over St Lucia at the National Indoor Sports Centre, head coach Connie Francis was pleased at how her youthful Sunshine Girls have not only accepted the challenge presented but have continuously pushed each other over the past week.

“I’ve seen growth and determination and I love the camaraderie in the camp. They are not afraid to let each other know that they are not pulling their weight. And that’s what it’s all about. I think that netball in Jamaica is growing,” Francis said “We have a fantastic bunch of girls who go out there, put their bodies on the line and accomplish great things.”

Great things have come from players such as Gizelle Allison who had another great shooting performance for Jamaica with 56 from her 66 attempts, which has encouraged Francis as she prepares for international duty in the Fast 5 series next month in New Zealand. However, she wants to see Allison improve in the final third of the court.

“She is a very solid shooter but there is still cause for concern because we are losing balls off her. She just needs to recognise what is happening and ensure that we capitalise on all the balls that go to her,” Francis said.

As Jamaica closes their slate against the top two teams in the region, Barbados (tonight at 8:15 p.m.) and tomorrow against Trinidad and Tobago, she referred to it as the team’s final exam to use what they have learned throughout their time together.

“Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are more experienced than this bunch. I am actually banking on them to go out there and do the work. We just have to execute quarter by quarter to make sure that we don’t give away silly shots,” Francis said.

UPHILL BATTLE

St Lucia head coach Minneth Reynolds knew the uphill battle they were facing but still wanted her team not to feel intimidated by the opposition or the occasion.

“They knew that they were going up against a strong Jamaican team but they were not daunted. I told them to ‘go out there and give it your best shot’ and I think they did,” Reynolds said.

Meanwhile, St Vincent and the Grenadines defeated Antigua and Barbuda 66-30 for their third win of the campaign, thanks to Mary Fredrick shooting 56 goals from her 58 attempts. Assistant coach Vasha Adams said that they looked like themselves again after rushing their opening fixtures.

“We rushed some of our games, especially (Wednesday) night against Barbados. It wasn’t our best game. But last night I saw the enjoyment on (their faces). We told them to go out there and have fun and that is what they did,” Adams said.