Nicole Aiken-Pinnock, assistant coach of Jamaica’s Under-21 netball team, says that playing in the ongoing Red Stripe Flavour Netball Jamaica Elite League gives critical preparation time for the young Sunshine Girls as they approach the World Cup qualifier.

The World Cup qualifier takes place in Guadeloupe from July 4 to 15.

Aiken-Pinnock, a former player of the game, said that the team has been together since July of last year and since then she has seen significant growth in the players. She also emphasised the value of competing against top netballers in Jamaica in their development.

“We’ve had this group of players from about July last year after the CAC Games. We are seeing steady growth, and that is good. We have a beautiful bunch of ladies, and it is just a pleasure to be working with them,” Aiken-Pinnock told the Jamaica Observer.

“We’re using the Elite League to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers which is just around the corner. Most of the players are new to the international stage, except for Roxanne McLean. We need to keep them focused and motivated to perform well. We’re working on their mental toughness and keeping them hungry to succeed.

“We are seeing what we are doing in training being put into practice [Elite Legues games] and I think that this is good for them going into the tournament [and] being able to compete against some of the best netballers here in Jamaica. We’re working on our strengths and weaknesses, and the girls are really putting in the effort,” the former senior Sunshine Girl captain added.

The Netball World Youth Cup 2025 (NWYC2025) is to be held in Gibraltar from September 19 to 28, with 20 teams competing. Five teams have pre-qualified (New Zealand, Australia, England, Fiji, and Gibraltar), and the remaining 15 teams will be determined by regional qualifier events. Jamaica will be competing in the Americas regional qualifier, hoping to secure one of the top three spots to advance to the NWYC2025.

“We have always been in the top four at the World Cup, and so because of where we were positioned in the last tournament, it’s causing us to go through a qualifier, and we are taking nothing for granted. We’re going to go out there and give it our all,” Aiken-Pinnock said.

“We’re going to represent Jamaica with pride and passion, and we’re going to make sure that we leave everything on the court. There is no pressure; I just think that we have to do the work. If we don’t turn up to play, then somebody else is going to take that position. The girls understand what is at stake and there are going to do the work,” she noted.

Aiken-Pinnock expressed her pride in representing Jamaica and her commitment to developing netball in the country. “It’s always an honour to represent your country, and I’m excited to give back to the development of netball in Jamaica. We’re not just preparing for the World Cup; we’re building a legacy for future generations,” she ended.