Despite the absence of key players, Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry is expressing confidence in Jamaica’s senior netball team ahead of the Vitality Netball Horizon Series against arch-rivals England.

The series kicks off November 16-17 at the AO Arena in Manchester and concludes November 25-26 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

The Vitality Netball Horizon Series inaugurates a four-year international competition, featuring two England-based and two Jamaica-based matches annually, fostering rivalry and growth in global netball.

This test series will reignite the rivalry between the Vitality Roses and the Sunshine Girls, who are currently ranked second and fourth in the world, respectively.

“It is a good squad. I mean, we are comfortable with the squad. I think the squad is a very active squad and can do a lot of the damage we want. They are a well-rounded squad and we are just excited to start our campaign,” Henry told the Jamaica Observer.

“In everything we have difficulties in terms of selecting our teams but the team of selectors did a great job in terms of the selection process and we are happy about that.

“I mean, there will always be players who are not so happy about the selections because everybody wants to make the team and that’s good. So the ones that didn’t make it we still have them in training and it is a part of the growth and development just to continue on the process because their time will come when it is right,” Henry further said.

The two sides last met in 2023 in a three-match Test series played in Manchester and London. The Roses defeated Jamaica 73-52 in the first match; suffered a narrow 58-61 loss in the second match; and claimed the series with a 63-59 win in the third contest.

The two sides did not meet in the draw at the Netball World Cup last summer, which saw England earn the silver medal, whilst Jamaica finished just behind in third place.

Following advice from the medical team, ace-shooter and captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard’s was ruled out of participating in the Horizon Series. Romelda Aiken-George replaces her.

Henry remains optimistic: “We are a disappointed because it is something that we didn’t see coming. But, we have to stay in high spirits and the games must go on. The girls believe in themselves and they are all committed to going out there and giving a good account of themselves.”

Adean Thomas, Jamaica’s esteemed centre court player, was another big name that was missing from the squad as she opted out of the series.

“Adean Thomas, she was selected but she made her unavailability for one of tours and so we have to respect that. Adean is always a part of us and so we will see her. She will be back in training,” Henry explained.

Henry welcomed English-born Rhea Dixon to Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls squad, citing her impressive performances in England, where she earned Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours. Henry said that Dixon’s inclusion enhances squad depth.

“Rhea Dixon is a part of our squad. She is in the team for the 12 and definitely we are looking forward to it,” Henry said.

“She did extremely well in her competitive game in England where she was voted as MVP. “What better way can we ask but to have such a hard working girl joining us and we are excited about that. There are so many others who want to represent us and we are also happy about all of that,” Henry said.

Henry said that training has been going well and the Sunshine Girls are ready to create damage.

“Training has been going well. I can’t complain. England is always pressure. England is a always challenging for us. England has been doing well; they have gotten the opportunity to play so many games and so we are very grateful that we have the opportunity to play against them.

“We are always rivals. It is always competitive playing against them and the fact that they are number two, kudos to them, but we are coming also we are going to be working hard. We have our eyes on the prize also. It is going to be a tough one banging, number two versus number four, that’s a great one for us,” Henry noted.

Jamaica’s Shanice Beckford (left) catches the ball ahead of Ama Agbeze of England during their third Test match in the 2018 Lasco Sunshine Netball Series at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Garfield Robinson

HENRY… the girls believe in themselves and they are all committed to going out there and giving a good account of themselves Photo: Karl Mclarty