Connie Francis, the head coach of Jamaica’s senior netball team, says the Sunshine Girls’ bronze-medal win at the just-concluded 2023 Vitality Netball World Cup was a collaborative effort by players, staff, and the country.

The Sunshine Girls, who entered the competition as one of the favourites to win the gold medal, defeated dethrone champions New Zealand 52-45 to capture the bronze medal on Sunday at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. Australia, who had lost to England in the group rounds, defeated the Roses 61-45 to claim the title for the 12th time.

The Sunshine Girls’ triumph also halted Jamaica’s 16-year drought of failing to medal in a World Cup tournament. Their most recent medal was a bronze medal at the 2007 World Cup.

While the team’s goal was to improve their previous bronze medal to gold or silver, Francis said she was glad for the squad to be able to stand on the podium. She also remarked that winning the bronze medal was meaningful because Jamaica was celebrating its Independence.

“After 16 years, it’s a good feeling to win a medal at the World Cup. I mean, we wanted the gold medal, but I’m happy we made it to the podium,” Francis told the Jamaica Observer.

“It meant a lot to win bronze. I mean, the players finally ended a 16-year drought of failing to medal, and that’s all the volunteers and country believed was possible, especially with this collection of brilliance on the team.

“The players did their best as we wanted to win gold but we just fell short. I must congratulate them for their spirited efforts,” the former player of the game further said.

Jamaica were led by tournament leading scorer Jhaniele Fowler, who netted an impressive 43 goals from 44 attempts to take her tally for the competition to a magnificent 213 goals from 219 attempts. Fowler got little support from Shanice Beckford, who scored just nine goals from 11 attempts.

For New Zealand, Maia Wilson scored 19 goals from 21 attempts; Ameliaranne Ekenasio got 15 goals from 17 attempts; Te Raea Selby-Rickit 10 goals from 12 attempts; and Tiana Metuarau with just one goal from one attempt.

“They [Sunshine Girls] played high-quality netball and represented as professionals on and off the court. They believed in each others’ talent and they work together as a solid unit,” Francis said.

“We just have to celebrate the achievements of our players. It’s never about the coaches but the work that we all put in as a group,” she added.

The Sunshine Girls return to the island today.

Jamaican squad: – Romelda Aiken-George, Shanice Beckford, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Nicole Dixon-Rochester, Jhaniele Fowler, Crystal Plummer, Rebecca Robinson, Shamera Sterling, Adean Thomas, Jodi-Ann Ward, Khadijah Williams, and Latanya Wilson.

The full placing at the 2023 Vitality Netball World Cup

1. Australia

2. England

3. Jamaica

4. New Zealand

5. Uganda

6. South Africa

7. Malwai

8. Tonga

9. Wales

10. Scotland

11. Fiji

12. Trinidad and Tobago

13. Zimbabwe

14. Barbados

15. Singapore

16. Sri Lanka