In anticipation of the netball series between the EnglandRoses and Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, British High Commissioner to Jamaica Judith Slater hosted an exclusive party to bring together the two elite teams.

The Vitality Horizon Series is poised for an exciting conclusion, with the Roses leading after a draw and a win in the first two matches in England, recently. The remaining two games are to be played on Monday and Tuesday at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the England Roses, an elite women’s sports team, to the residence. The dynamic between the teams is wonderful, with many players knowing each other from club teams and international competitions,” Slater said.

At the reception, which was held at the British High Commission on Wednesday, Slater noted the friendly rivalry between the teams, with players chatting and laughing together. However, she acknowledged that come game day, the energy will shift to reflect the competitiveness between the teams.

“They [the Roses and Sunshine Girls] have played together in their clubs on the international stage over several years. They are rivals but friends and so there is that nice, friendly rivalry,” Slater told the Jamaica Observer.

“Everybody was chatting away tonight [Wednesday], but when it comes to getting on the court on Monday for the first game here in Jamaica, it is going to be a different story. They are going to be focused on winning for their country,” the high commissioner added.

The England Roses, rated second globally ahead of the fourth-ranked Jamaicans, boast a mix of youth and experience.

“It’s always like that in any team. You got that mixture and hopefully that is going to be the perfect blend that is going to bring England a nice win,” Slater noted.

On the other hand, she spoke of Jamaica’s athletic and multi-talented players, many of whom compete in Australia’s franchise league.

“The Jamaicans have every reason to believe in themselves. Home advantage and fan support will play a significant role in the upcoming games,” she said.

Slater encouraged the Sunshine Girls to draw confidence from their ranking as Jamaica’s highest-ranked team in any sport.