NICOLE Aiken-Pinnock feels that with her wealth of knowledge of the game she can help the Sunshine Girls achieve great success at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Aiken-Pinnock, 37 — who began playing international representative netball in 2004 and made her senior debut for the Jamaica national team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, before retiring in 2018 — has been named as a coach for the Sunshine Girls at the 24th CAC Games, which will be held in El Salvador from June 23 to July 8. Phyllis Thompson is the other coach for the team.

“The funny thing is, some of the girls and I have played together so there was that level of respect even from playing days — and I think even more now it is given,” Aiken-Pinnock told the Jamaica Observer.

“They [the Sunshine Girls] are looking to me and the other coach, Phyllis Thompson, to impart knowledge so that they can evolve and be their best selves on the court. “They are already skilled players so it is just a matter of continuing to build on that self-belief and confidence so that they can go out and execute and be at their best,” the former Sunshine Girls captain added.

Aiken-Pinnock, who has coaching experience with Moneague College and the Catherine Racers, stated that coaching the Sunshine Girls is another step in continuing her legacy of playing her part in developing the sport in the country.

“For me, it’s just another way of giving back to the development of sports and ensuring that I contribute in whatever way that I possibly can, and also to the development of ]the] skill set of players and the sport of netball itself here in Jamaica.

“So, it’s another way of representing Jamaica. And it’s always a privilege to actually represent the country and so I am taking it with so much pride, giving it my best, and ensuring that at the end of the day that Jamaica is truly represented,” she stated.

Aiken-Pinnock, who led the Sunshine Girls to bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, stated that while they are favourites to win the gold medal, the Sunshine Girls — ranked fourth — will have to show up and execute effectively to get the job done.

“We have players who have never represented Jamaica before so we definitely need to keep working on that mental space to ensure that everyone shows up to every training session or game with the goal of winning. It’s going to be a tough one because I don’t expect anyone to lean in and give Jamaica the win,” the former player added.

“I know Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will come at us hard so all we have to do is show up, perform, and give it our all. We do expect to have victories but we also recognise the importance of respecting our opponents and showing out to play,” Aiken-Pinnock added.

Aiken-Pinnock stated that preparations for the Sunshine Girls are progressing well, with only minor tweaks needed over the next week.

“Training has been going well. It has been very intense, it has been very intentional and deliberate on doing things that force them to concentrate for a longer period of time. The intensity is good and the effort is amazing. So far, so good, and we just need to keep building,” she explained.