ROOKIE player Anna-Kay Griffiths has been refused a visa to travel through the United States with the rest of Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls for their upcoming Test series in Australia and New Zealand in August, the Observer has learnt.

Griffiths, who is a first-time invitee, was named as part of the twelve-member squad by the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) for the series between August 8 and 21.

The JNA is expected to appeal the decision before the players leave the island on August 2.

Meanwhile, Georgia Gordon makes a return to the national side after a seven-year absence. Gordon, who made her debut in 1989 as part of the National Under-19 team in a game against St Lucia, has not played with the senior Sunshine Girls since the 2003 World Netball Championships (WNC) in Kingston.

She was recalled to national training days after helping Tivoli ‘A’ to the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) Berger Super League title at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC), in June.

Gordon has a wealth of experience, having also represented Jamaica at the 1995 World Championships in Birmingham, 1999 in Christchurch, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1998 and four years later in Manchester, England.

“I feel old (but) honoured to be recalled, so I accepted,” Gordon told the Observer.

The squad will be led by the experienced Nadine Bryan in the absence of regular captain Simone Forbes. Also in centre court will be Sasher-Gaye Henry, Sateva Taylor, and Paula Thompson.

Experienced goal-shooter Romelda Aiken, who is currently plying her trade in Australia with the Queensland Firebirds in the ANZ Championship, will be joined by Crystal Gordon, Griffiths, and Vanessa Walker in the goal circle.

This is Aiken’s third season in the trans-Tasman league which she entered after an outstanding performance at the 2007 WNC in Auckland, New Zealand. The defenders will be Nicole Aiken, Malysha Kelly, and Sasha-Gay Lynch.

Connie Francis will condition the squad assisted by Annett Daley with Andrea Anthony Manager and Maureen Spence-Campbell physiotherapist.

The Sunshine Girls will head to Australia on August 2 where they will take on the world champions in a three-Test series with matches in Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland on the 8th, 11th, and 15th.

They will then move to New Zealand to play the world number two-ranked Silver Ferns in two games on August 18 in Napier and the 21st in Christchurch before returning to Jamaica to play England in a two-game series in September.