TURN HEADER: Sunshine Girls excelling on the court and in the classroom

JAMAICA’S Sunshine Girl Malysha Kelly is among a growing number of athletes who have been defying the stereotype that those who play sports are not ‘book bright’.

The former Dinthill Technical High School standout is now pursuing a master’s degree in business management at Mona School of Business, while still actively involved with her national duties as a defender for the Sunshine Girls. In 2013, she completed the Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

“My grandfather always encouraged us to study hard and ensure that we got good grades. As a child I always received the support from them that prompted me to move forward,” she recounts.

Since making her debut on the Under-13 team, Kelly has been a fixture on the national level, transitioning seamlessly to be a Sunshine Girl at age 18, in 2008. Glasgow 2014 was her first Commonwealth Games, having played on the Netball World Cup team in 2011 and all Fast5/FastNet teams from 2009 to 2014. With 35 caps, she’s the most experienced Sunshine Girl in the Fast5 game format.

“I have had to manage my time differently and I have had to prioritise and put things into perspective,” Kelly explains.

“I also have a good relationship with my coaches. Sometimes when I have examinations and have to study, I get some reprieve. My coaches also see it as important for me to study, so I have their support,” she adds.

For centre court and defence player Vangelee Williams, balancing academics and playing netball has not been easy, but she is committed to the task.

“I won’t say it is easy; It is really hard with national duties. I just tell myself that I can do it and find ways to ensure that I complete my school assignments. While I am on national duties I have classmates who will help me and some of the lecturers will facilitate me at times,” Williams relates.

She has not missed a cap since her Fast5 selection in 2011. She was captain of the bronze medal under-21 team and was nicknamed the ‘defection queen’ for her performance during the tournament. Williams was also one of four Jamaicans named among the 10 new world netball stars to emerge at the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships (WYNC).

She was also named Player of the Series for the 2015 SVL Sunshine Series vs England for her outstanding performance as a defender. She stepped into the role of Wing Defence on the 2014 Commonwealth Games team and excelled with a bronze medal to show for it.

Williams has participated in all Fast5 World Series since 2011 and is an experienced young player with 21 caps. She has been named the 2014 Intercol Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year at Mico University College where she is pursuing a degree in physical education.

“My goal is to finish my education, which will qualify me for a good job. I also want to make my name by playing netball. I think I will stop playing when my body says no,” Williams says.

It’s a similar story for Nicole Dixon who is now in her first year also at The Mico University College. Dixon’s selection to the Sunshine Girls team for the 2014 Fast5 World Series was her first trip overseas as a national netballer. She was waiting in the wings since being named as a reserve to the 2014 Commonwealth Games Team and earned her first cap at the test series with Jamaica vs England in January 2015.

At 20 years old, Dixon has much to prove, as she did not come through the national youth squads but rather honed her netball skills playing at Holmwood Technical High School. She was invited to try out for the 2014 long squad and impressed the selectors, who gave her the opportunity to make her international debut at Jamaica vs Barbados in a friendly series in June 2014.

“It is really a challenge. After training and coming in at nights, it can be really hard to stay up and do assignments, then get up early in the morning to prepare for the day,” Dixon relates.

“It takes a lot of determination. Most times after training instead of going back to the hostel I go back to school and meet with my school mates and get the work done,” she adds.