As Jamaica’s senior Sunshine Girls gear up for the 2024 Fast5 Netball World Series, debutant Cornilia Walters emphasises the need for consistency and self-belief if they are to claim the title.

Jamaica’s team, said to be the most inexperienced in the competition, will rely heavily on these qualities, according to Walters.

“Consistency and self-belief will be key to our performance. Our girls are talented, and we’ve worked tirelessly, motivating each other to excel,” Walters told with the Jamaica Observer.

“At the level that we’re at, I think [some of the things] we need going in the tournament are consistency and self-belief because we are the most inexperienced team going out there. So I think self-belief and consistency are what we need at this moment,” the 20-year-old Walters added.

The Fast5 Netball World Series is to take place from November 9-10 at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena in New Zealand.

Each team plays each other once during the first two days in a round-robin format. The four highest-scoring teams from this stage progress to the finals, played on the final day of competition, in which the first-ranked team plays the fourth-ranked team, while second plays third. The winners of these two matches contest the grand final; the remaining teams contest the third- and fifth-place play-offs.

“Fast5 is a lot more technical than the regular netball. I mean, it’s only five players on the court at a time and it has a lot of technical rules. I mean, but it’s just for us to go out there and use our heads like, think through the game.

“I think that is one of the most crucial things that we need going into the Fast5 tournament, especially because it’s like, for most of us, this is our first time playing this format. So I think we just go out there and use our, just use our head and we’ll be fine,” Walters said.

Walters, who plays both centre and goal defence, said that the team’s main goal for the Fast5 tournament is to win a medal, aiming for first place. She believes the team is talented and has been working hard, with dedication and motivation being key factors.

“I am looking forward to medalling. That is what I’m looking forward to the most. I mean, I know a couple years back we have not medalled. We have not hit a podium at the Fast5 level. But I mean, this year our main goal is to come back home with a medal, even the first place. I mean, anything is possible,” the former St Hugh’s High School graduate said.

Walters acknowledged that participating in the tournament will be nerve-wracking as it’s her first international experience. She is confident in her abilities and is looking forward to the challenge. She also recognised the importance of confidence and is working on building it.

“I mean, I know it’s going to be a little bit nerve-wracking because this is going to be my first time on an international stage. But, I mean, I’m feeling good. I mean, I’m competing against the best of the best, so to speak. I’m feeling good. But I think the only thing that’s left for me to work on is my confidence. And yes, I’ll be totally fine.

“I mean, it’s always a wonderful feeling. This is a big accomplishment for me, especially because I’m so young. And I mean, I’m just here to have fun and, you know, go to the experience and represent well,” Walters said.

Walters has been playing netball since primary school and has represented her schools and college. She attributed her success to hard work and dedication.

“Growing up I always saw my mother and my sister playing netball. The crazy thing is, at first it wasn’t my thing because I couldn’t play. After getting a little bit older, I think netball came naturally to me in primary school [August Town Primary School]. I transitioned to high school [St Hugh’s], and then I represent University of the West Indies (UWI) in my first year.

“Ever since I had joined the programme, it has been hard work. I mean, I’m coming from the under-21 level where I was training with the girls and then I transitioned it to the ‘A’ squad. Training has been intense straight through. I mean, my skills have developed a lot. And the programme is really good.

Squad: Shadine Bartley, Paula-Ann Burton, Zaudi Green, Roxanna McLean, Amanda Pinkney, Kimone Shaw, Kestina Sturridge, Cornilia Walters, Simone Gordon, Tiffany Langley, and reserve Latian Stewart.

Staff: Maureen Brown, Nardia Hanson, Dalton Hinds, Offniel Lamont, and Karlene Waugh.

Jamaica’s Romelda Aiken-George (left) tries to block a shot from a New Zealand player (right) during a Fast5 Series match at Christchurch Arena in New Zealand in 2023. Jamaica’s Kimone Shaw looks on.

Cornilia Walters (Photo: Garfield Robinson)