LIEUTENANT Colonel Jamie O’Gilvie of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has represented Jamaica on many occasions as part of his work with the JDF. He headed the JDF’s rescue and repair mission to Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake which devastated the Caribbean country. For his leadership role and commitment to the cause in Haiti, Lt Col O’Gilvie received special commendations and awards from Caricom.

Now he is soldiering on another field as the chairman of Netball Jamaica’s ‘Gold Rush Down Under’ campaign. O’Gilvie says his role is well-defined.

“My task is to drive the fund-raising process and to provide the moral support for the Sunshine Girls and other members of the support staff. The aim is to ensure that all goes well for the best performance of the young ladies when they participate in the World Cup in August,” O’Gilvie told Netball Centre Court at the recent luncheon put on for the Sunshine Girls by major sponsor, Jamaica Broilers.

Lt Col O’Gilvie explained that the plan is for the Sunshine Girls to focus all their energies on preparation while he and the other team members go about getting the finances in place as well as tending to the non-financial aspects of preparing for a major championship such as netball’s World Cup.

“I have been working with Netball Jamaica and the Sunshine Girls for one year now and the progress has been very visible. The Girls have responded and are training with purpose and commitment. They are working on and off the court with their technical staff and are showing full dedication to the cause.

“Netball Jamaica as the governing body for netball in Jamaica have really taken ownership of the process and are providing the leadership necessary to propel the charge forward for gold Down Under.

“I am very pleased with what is happening,” O’Gilve said.