THE Jamaica Badminton Association’s (JBA’s) senior team departed the island yesterday to represent Jamaica at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23-August 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.

The team is comprised of four key players — Garron Palmer, siblings Gareth and Geordine Henry and Ruth Williams, along with coach Kingsley Ford and manager Ricardo Teape.

Geordine Henry, who will be competing in all three events — the female singles, doubles’ and the mixed doubles — said that her main focus heading into the championship is to get a medal.

“My goal for the year was to make the Commonwealth Games team and I have achieved that goal. My next step is go out there and do my best as I want to get a medal or possibly a gold medal at this championship,” the local badminton queen told the Sunday Observer.

The 26-year-old Geordine Henry knows very well that success only comes with hard work.

“In order for me to get a medal I have to be on top of my game and I know that it takes a lot of hard work, but I am a very determined and dedicated individual.

“I have been training hard and I know what it takes if I want to be on top,” she said.

Meanwhile, the JBA’s vice-president Joseph Clarke said that he has confidence in the team going into the championship.

“There will be a lot of good competitors, but we are focused and have been training hard. We have a talented team that I believe can and will get the job done for us,” he said.

Clarke added: “It is always good for these players to represent their country and to show our sponsors that they have talent.”