DESPITE travel predicaments leaving her without five players of her initial 12-member squad for the Taini Jamison series, Sunshine Girls Head Coach Connie Francis says the depleted team is determined to give of its best against hosts New Zealand.

The series was initially scheduled to comprise three Test matches in Hamilton and Auckland on September 17, 18 and 21 but it was later reduced to two contests in Auckland on September 20 and 22 at Eventfinda Stadium.

Only seven members of the Sunshine Girls team, including Captain Shimona Nelson, arrived in Aotearoa on Monday, with the other five unable to travel to New Zealand due to visa issues.

However, the Jamaica Observer has learnt that Netball Jamaica was desperately trying to get those players into New Zealand via another route, but also faced setbacks where that is concerned.

Francis, whose last assignment in New Zealand was at the 2007 World Cup, remained upbeat about making the most of this opportunity against the number two-ranked Silver Ferns.

“We can’t do anything about what has been happening. I know that Netball Jamaica was working on getting those five girls in but it is what it is. We just have to move forward and we are happy that the series is not totally gone,” Francis told the Observer from the team’s hotel on Monday.

Up to press time on Monday, Netball Jamaica President Tricia Robinson was still yet to provide an update on how they planned to resolve the player shortage but earlier confirmed that with the seven players on the ground constituting a team, the opening game would go ahead as scheduled.

“No, it won’t be pushed back again,” Robinson assured the Observer.

“We will just work with who is there and we’ll try to sort out the other issues for the next game,” she said, adding that a press release would be forthcoming following another meeting with Netball New Zealand late Monday.

The number three-ranked Jamaicans thrashed the Silver Ferns at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where they copped a historic silver medal.

Only three players from that side — Nelson, Adean Thomas and Latanya Wilson, all of whom are currently on the ground — were named for this series against the Silver Ferns, but Francis said it was an opportunity for younger players to get experience.

“I am disappointed for the five players who weren’t able to journey here with us because this certainly would have helped their growth and development playing against the number two-ranked team in the world, and they were really looking forward to being here. But again, we just have to be positive and try and move away from it,” Francis said.

“We had practice and the seven girls are determined to give of their best if it comes down to that. I know that Netball Jamaica is working on possibly getting two more of our players but we don’t know if that will work out.

“So, we are still here and determined to work hard. Even though we are short, we know that we are likkle but we tallawah and so we are just going to work hard and believe in ourselves,” she declared.

The last time Jamaica played in New Zealand was in 2018 when they lifted the Taini Jamison Trophy from the Silver Ferns with a win in the series that also included Fiji and Malawi.

It is understood that New Zealand toyed with the idea of lending the Jamaican side players from the domestic league or Silver Ferns development squad, but if the Sunshine Girls were to have accepted, then the games would not have been considered official Tests.

But Francis again reiterated her commitment to make the most of the resources available to her in ensuring that her team performs as expected.

“The reception has been nothing but positive [from New Zealand] because what the Sunshine Girls did in Birmingham have sparked some excitement; and despite the more senior players not being here the New Zealanders are still looking at what we can give. And we will work very hard, knowing we don’t have the substitutes, but we are hoping to give New Zealand a fight,” Francis told the Observer.

“So, it’s all about making the best of what we have; we can’t bother to dwell on what has happened. We just hope to learn from our mistakes but, again, it’s beyond our and Netball Jamaica’s control,” she said.