Although the matches didn’t go as expected, head coach for Jamaica’s senior netball team, Annett Daley, says there were many positives that can be taken from the youthful Sunshine Girls’ performances at the just-ended Fast5 tournament at Christchurch Arena in New Zealand.

The Fast5 tournament is played among the world’s top-ranked six teams (New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, Uganda, and South Africa), featuring dynamic rule changes including five players a side, shorter quarters, power plays, and super shots.

The Jamaicans lost all of their games, going down 15-39 to Australia (eventual champions); 22-33 to Uganda; 27-28 to South Africa; 27-32 to England; and 22-40 to host New Zealand. The Sunshine Girls then lost for a second time to Uganda (10-32) in the placement playoffs to finish at the foot of the table on zero points.

The squad returned to the island last night.

“I think it was a good showing from the girls. The girls adapted well to the Fast5 requirements after each game they played. They were able to appreciate the differences in playing styles between the countries they faced. They also got exposure to managing international competition,” Daley told the Jamaica Observer.

Goal shooter Amamda Pinkney was the standout among the Sunshine Girls’ attack, notching a total of 36 goals from 69 attempts, which included a player of the match award against South Africa. She scored no goals from four attempts against Australia; eight goals from 13 attempts against Uganda; 11 goals from 13 attempts against England; 10 goals from 16 attempts against New Zealand; and three goals from 15 attempts against Uganda in the placement playoffs.

Mischa Creary was next best with a total of 16 goals from 19 attempts; Gezelle Allison got 10 goals from 16 attempts, and Romelda Aiken-George got nine goals from 16 attempts.

“The team performed better after each game, with the highlight of their performance being against South Africa and England. I think that the girls will get better with more exposure to local Fast5 competitions,” Daley said.

“As to going forward, some of these girls are going on rest, and some will be going into high school and intercollegiate competitions.”

Squad – Romelda Aiken-George, Gezelle Allison, Abigail Sutherland, Mischa Creary, Roxonna McLean, Amanda Pinkney, Crystal Plummer, Kimone Shaw, Theresa Beckford, and Tafiya Hunter.