THE Sunshine Girls, including series MVP Thirstina Harwood, the coaching and management team returned to the island yesterday from the Fast5 Netball World Series which was held in New Zealand.

Unlike last year when the team placed fourth and out of the medals, Jamaica ended in third place to cop the bronze medal after crushing South Africa 44-17 in the third-placed play-off.

Coach Oberon Pitterson-Nattie expressed happiness to end on a winning note after losing a close semi-final match to Australia. She said that it was good that the team kept their composure after the loss and won their final match in a big way. She also said that the team will take a short rest and then begin preparation for its tour against England in January.

Harwood said that she was surprised to be named the tournament MVP, but was happy for the recognition. She referred to her hard work in preparation for the series, saying that it had paid off. She now looks forward to the upcoming England tour.

Shooter Jhaniele Fowler, who was the player of the third-placed match-up, said that though she was happy with the bronze medal, she believed that the team can improve its placement with better three-point shooting. She said that by the next Fast5 this area will be improved on.

JNA president Marva Bernard was happy to return with a medal this time around. She gave credit to the team which worked as a well oiled unit to achieve this year’s result, even though there is room for improvement. She is hoping that the financial support will be found to help the team to get better.

The Fast5 format features only five netballers on court during the game. The quarters are six minutes in length, instead of 10 as in the longer version of the game. Additionally, substitutions are made without stopping the match.