NETBALL Jamaica president Marva Bernard is hoping that the Sunshine Girls’ 2-1 victory over England in the three-test series can reignite interest in the senior team and ultimately lure more sponsors on board ahead of the World Cup in August.

Jamaica are ranked one place below world number-three rated England.

Bernard, who praised series title sponsors Supreme Ventures and other partners including Wata, said participating at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Australia will require considerable resources.

“We have to thank the sponsors who have shelled out their time, their energy, their resources and their goods, or else we could not have possibly hosted this series,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“To go into the World Cup to give a team like this the best chance is not cheap. You are not going around the corner, you are going to Australia.”

She said the association is specifically “looking for a nutrition sponsor” to aid the national programme.

Noting that the showpiece event will coincide with the height of the winter season in the Oceania region, Bernard, though not providing figures, stressed that lodging will form a significant part of the expenses.

“And it’s going to be winter in Australia so we are going to have to go in early and get the Girls acclimatised. We have to see what kind of accommodation we are going to have because we can’t afford to stay in a hotel like we used to. We are likely to stay in something like a hostel and have someone to cook for the Girls,” the local netball boss said.

Meanwhile, she said Australian Jill McIntosh, who has had previous stints as technical director, is expected in three months time to bring her expertise, while assisting head coach Minneth Reynolds and the rest of the staff.

“Jill comes back in April to join the coaching staff. We are going to be looking at physical fitness, court work, mental preparation and a number of other things because by the time we blink July will be here. For now, we are going to have to use technology and look back on the tapes [of the England series],” Bernard said.