Walker looks to secure spot in Sunshine squad

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

National goal attack Vanessa Walker is now waiting with bated breath ahead of the naming of Jamaica's 15-member Sunshine Girls squad for the three-Test netball series against the world's number-one ranked Australia later this week.

The 20-year-old Walker, one of Jamaica's most promising young players, will be competing for the goal attack position on the Sunshine Girls squad with the likes of captain Simone Forbes, Jodi-Ann Ffrench and Anna-Kay Griffith.

"I am just anxious ... and I am hoping that I can make the team for this series," said Walker in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

"It is going to be tough for everybody because I think that everyone has a fair and equal chance to secure a place on the team," Walker said.

'Lift my standard'

This three-match series, which has been dubbed the 'Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series', will see the first Test match being played on January 12, followed by the second two days later. All matches will be played at the National Indoor Sports Complex.

Walker, who has represented her country at all levels, had a good showing against the Australians when both sides met at the FastNet Championships in England, last year. She was also a part of the Connie Francis-coached team which was thrashed 3-0 in Australia last August.

"I enjoy playing against the top teams in the world because it helps to lift my standard and I also gain a lot more experience," said the 5' 9" Walker, who represents Mico University College in the Jamaica Netball Association club leagues.

The soft-spoken Walker, a past student of the Convent of Mercy Academy, 'Alpha', has been playing the sport for the past 10 years. She was also a member of Jamaica's Under-21 team which won the bronze medal at the World Youth Championships in the Cook Islands, in 2009.

She has been working very hard in practice to improve her all-round play on the court.

"I think that I have been improving in training not only on my shooting, but also my all-round game, and I believe that the coaching staff has seen this improvement in me," Walker said. "It would be another step upwards if I am selected for the series and it will also help to push me closer to making the World Championships team," she said. The World Netball Championships will be held in Singapore later this year.

However, Walker noted that if she is not selected for the series, she would continue to work hard as her main goal is to play in the World Championships.

"I will feel a bit disappointed but, it will push me to work much harder for the other upcoming series and also the World Championships," Walker said.