Adean Thomas, captain of the St James Sharpes, is optimistic about the chances of her youthful team despite a relatively slow start to the 2024 Red Stripe Flavours Netball Jamaica (NJ) Elite League.

The Sharpes have played three league games so far, losing the first two against Kingston Hummingbirds and reigning champions Manchester Spurs, respectively, before defeating St Ann Orchids on Sunday.

Thomas said what the players lack in experience is balanced by their tenacity and potential.

“To be honest, this team is a very young team. We don’t have the experience like the other teams in the competition, but we’re fierce and determined,” she said during an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“As a senior player, it’s my responsibility to guide and help the younger players to grow. I believe they [young players] are doing well so far and I can’t ask for anything else from them.

“I am really happy with their performances so far in the competition, even [though] we lost the first two games but we can always come back,” Thomas, for years an integral member of Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls senior team, said.

The St James Sharpes team is one of five teams in the semi-professional netball league competing for cash and prizes. In addition to the Sharpes, Hummingbirds, Spurs, and Orchids, the league also includes St Catherine Racers.

The National Under-21 team also competes in the league in preparation for the Under-21 World Cup qualifications to be held in Guadeloupe this year.

The league is being played in a round-robin style.

The games include a Powerade Power Play at the end of each quarter, in which circle-edge shots earn double points. The final is scheduled for the end of July.

Games are scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm on Fridays and 4:00 pm on Sundays.