Sunshine Girlz near full strength for England

Sunshine Girls head coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright says she is expecting to have a full-strength squad available for the upcoming Horizon Series against England, with selectors carefully weighing their options ahead of the four-match contest.

Jamaica will face England’s Vitality Roses in London on November 21 and 22 at the Copper Box Arena before hosting the return leg in Jamaica on December 5 and 6.

The Horizon Series will also feature Jamaica’s development team against England, while Jamaica’s male netball team, the Jamaica Suns, will take on the England Thorns.

It will be the third staging of the four-year international Horizon Series, which began in 2024.

Jamaica won the inaugural Rhone Hornsby Trophy, while England claimed last year’s title in a shortened series following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch at the S Hotel, Henry-Wright said Jamaica is expected to select the strongest team possible based on player availability.

She noted that most of the overseas-based players are available and said the selection process is expected to be completed this week.

“We’re analysing and we’re looking at what we have to prepare the best team for this competition,” she said.

“So, you will see our international players and we’ll have a strong-seeded team entering into this series.”

PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY

Henry-Wright explained that the players are well into their preparations, which have included six weeks of strength and conditioning training.

She said the focus has now shifted to tactical preparation and on-court strategies ahead of the opening matches in November.

However, Henry-Wright acknowledged that the absence of some overseas-based players from training sessions has presented challenges.

The Sunshine Girls coach also addressed the situation involving national player Shimona Nelson, who was voluntarily absent from Jamaica’s squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Henry-Wright said the association respects Nelson’s position regarding her international career and maintains an open-door policy for her return.

“She expressed her own views in terms of playing and we have to respect that,” she said.

“She’ll always remain a Jamaica player and we hope that in short order, anytime she’s available, she’ll let us know that,” Henry-Wright said.

‘NOT JUST A NETBALL MATCH’

Netball Jamaica president Karen Baugh said the home leg of the series on December 5 and 6 will offer supporters much more than international netball.

She said the association and its sponsors are preparing entertainment and other activities for spectators.

Baugh recalled that demand for the previous home series was so high that some patrons had to be turned away, and encouraged fans to secure their tickets early for the upcoming matches.

“They are excited and raring to go with programmes and packages and halftime shows and entertainment for the fans,” she said.

“Because you know netball matches are not ever just netball matches. So when you come, expect a full package.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com