A brilliant performance from Quannia Walker in centre court was instrumental in St Ann Orchids’ 67-59 victory over Kingston Hummingbirds in the 2023 Netball Jamaica (NJ)/Seprod Elite League, and the soft-spoken player finds herself early in the spotlight with a place in Connie Francis’s World Cup squad an irresistible lure.

Walker, who has been called to the senior Jamaican netball set-up for the first time, is among 30 players currently in training as the Sunshine Girls prepare for the 16th staging of the Netball World Cup, which will be in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year. Only 15 players will be selected to represent Jamaica at the global showpiece from July 28 to August 6.

Playing at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) on Friday evening, Walker gave a performance to remember as she was quick on her feet in intercepting many passes, which at times brought the crowd to its feet.

She made sure her team held onto possession of the ball for long periods, and her passes were accurate as the shooters didn’t have time to relax with balls coming in every second. Walker’s performance earned her the player of the match award.

“I feel good about myself knowing that I have been playing netball over the years and now have been selected to train with the Sunshine Girls for the World Cup. I think it is my time now to shine, and I feel good about it,” Walker told the Jamaica Observer.

“Personally, I think the game was a bit challenging as both teams came out playing to win, and we went at each other very hard. But it was the better team on the day that won, and I feel good about that and my contribution to the team. I feel excellent about it,” Walker added.

Walker said that it is not yet time to celebrate, as she is determined to make the World Cup and the work has just started.

“Well, what you can expect from me is that I am going to always come out and do my best because only my best is good enough, and you will expect more from me and beyond. I want to make the World Cup, and I am determined to.

“The Elite League will be crucial for selection, and so I am going to give it my best as nothing beats hard work. And trust me; I would be delighted if I got selected. The fact that it would be my first time being on the squad for the World Cup, I would be super, super happy about it,” the 23-year-old said.

The Orchids led from start to finish, taking the first quarter, 19–14; the second quarter, 32–31; and the third quarter, 53–48, before cruising home to win by eight goals.

Goal shooter Sabrina Spence led the way with a game-high 52 goals from 65 attempts for the Orchids. Goal attack and co-Captain Rebekah Robinson, also called up for the training squad, netted 14 goals from 18 attempts, and Kelsay Jones got one from one.

While for the Hummingbirds, goal shooter Tracey Francis scored 30 goals from 39 attempts, and goal attack Amanda Pinkney, another called-up, got 29 goals from 34 attempts.

Coach Kurt Dale was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

“We expected a tough competition from them, nonetheless, and they came out hard as they really pushed us. There were moments that we were focused in and out of the game because of the pressure the Hummingbirds put on us, but we had a game plan and the girls stood up when it mattered the most,” Dale said.