SUNSHINE Girls Shanice Beckford and Nicole Dixon will depart the island this weekend for England to participate in the National Superleague (NSL) in Tyneside, Newcastle, England.

Both Beckford and Dixon will join the new-look Team Northumbria (TN) for pre-season training before making their debut for the netball franchise team in the NSL in January 2016. The seven-team league will run until May.

In addition to their call-up to represent TN, Beckford, who made her international debut on April 1, 2013, and Dixon, who made her international debut on June 1, 2014, will also start sport- and business-related courses at the university.

Beckford, who attends the University of Technology (UTech), said that it was one of her dreams to play netball outside of her country.

“It is an exciting feeling… it means a lot to me to be selected to represent TN. Not many players can get an opportunity like this and for me to get the chance, it is just great. I have always wanted to experience netball outside of Jamaica and growing up, it was one of my dreams. This really means a lot to me and this will also help me with my future within netball,” the 20-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.

“I just want to go there and do my best, as only my best will be good enough. I also want to gain more experience and also bring some of our own Jamaican styles to the TN, and of course, doing the hard work, as well,” the five-feet-eight-inches goal-shooter said.

Dixon, 20, said that nothing beats hard work and dedication.

“It is a very overwhelming feeling and I am very excited to be selected to represent TN in the NSL. This move means that there can be greater things ahead, but I have to start from somewhere and this is where it begins for me. Nothing is impossible in life once the work is done with dedication,” the wing attack, who also plays centre, said.

Dixon, who attends Mico University College, has already set her mind on one thing, and that is to win the gold medal for her new team.

“Well, my plans so far are to help the team to get a better placement in the league and achieving at least a medal… and I mean not just any medal but the gold medal.

“It will be a very challenging task, but I am ready for the challenge because that is what makes a real champion. I am looking for a great and successful season and anticipating the meeting of my teammates,” she ended.