Fri | Jun 2, 2023

Ffrench-Kentish 'proud' to be among Sunshine Girls again

Published:Saturday | November 6, 2010 | 12:00 AM
This file photo shows Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish holding the ball while representing Jamaica's Under-21 team, during a two-Test series against South Africa at the National Indoor Sports Centre in 2005. Jamaica won the game 40-34 and took the series 2-0. - File

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

National goal shooter Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish is delighted about her selection in the Sunshine Girls' 12-member squad, which will participate in this month's World FastNet Series that will be held in Liverpool, England, from November 19-21.

The 26-year-old Ffrench-Kentish, who last represented Jamaica at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, told The Gleaner she missed playing for her country and was looking forward to a very successful championships.

"It is like a sense of pride and joy for me. I feel proud to be called to make a contribution to Jamaica's netball team," said Ffrench-Kentish, who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for this year's Berger Paints Super League competition, while helping her team, Tivoli Gardens, to win the title.

"I think that I am one of the best long-range shooters in the country and I believe strongly that I am going to do well at this FastNet Series because it suits my playing style," said the soft-spoken Ffrench-Kentish.

Silver medal

The Sunshine Girls captured the silver medal at last year's championships, which was also held in England and according to Ffrench-Kentish, she was very confident that they can go one better at this month's tournament.

"I think that we have a pretty good chance of winning this FastNet Series because we have a very strong team and the girls have also looked good in our training sessions," Ffrench-Kentish said.

Also earning recalls to the Jamaican squad are goal attack Vanessa Walker, centre Tracey-Ann Robinson and defenders Sasher-Gaye Lynch and Malysha Kelly, who all missed out on a place at last month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

The Sunshine Girls are scheduled to leave the island on November 14.

The full squad is: Captain Simone Forbes, Jhaneille Fowler, Vanessa Walker, Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish, Nadine Bryan, Paula Thompson, Sasher-Gaye Henry, Tracy-Ann Robinson, Nicole Aiken, Malysha Kelly, Sasher-Gay Lynch, Althea Byfield.