WITH the nation’s pride on the line, Jamaica’s senior Sunshine Girls are poised to deliver a thrilling performance as they host South Africa in the first game of the highly anticipated three-match netball series this evening.

The contest, scheduled for 6:00 pm at National Indoor Sports Centre, promises to be an intense and closely fought affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle. The teams will compete for the prestigious Margaret Beckford Trophy.

Ranked number three in the world, the Sunshine Girls will be looking to assert their dominance on home soil. Led by the experienced and dynamic defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, the Jamaican team boasts a talented roster including the likes of English-born players Rhea Dixon and Brie Grierson, and the return of Shimona Nelson-Jok and Adean Thomas.

The fifth-ranked South Africans, also known as the SPAR Proteas, will be seeking to cause an upset and claim a historic victory over the Sunshine Girls. With the likes of Elmerè van der Berg, Ine-Mari Venter, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, and Boitumelo Mahloko, the South Africans will rely on their speed, agility, and clever ball movement to outmanoeuvre their opponents.

The Sunshine Girls have a strong record against South Africa, with a dominant 15-3 win-loss ratio in their head-to-head matchups. The last time the two teams faced off in Jamaica was in 2012 when the Sunshine Girls emerged victorious, winning two out of three matches in the series.

This historical context sets the stage for an exciting series, with the Sunshine Girls looking to extend their winning streak against the visiting South Africans.

According to Sunshine Girls’ Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright, the team has been making steady progress in their preparations for South Africa.

“We’ve been coming along nicely,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“Training has been good, and we’ve intensified our sessions ahead of the first test. The players are excited, and we’ve been working on different combinations and tactical plays to see how well they’ll execute,” Henry-Wright added.

Henry-Wright has expressed satisfaction with the team’s cohesion.

“They’re doing well as a group, bonding well, and that’s good.”

The coach also highlighted the importance of mental preparation and the need to improve in this area.

Newcomer Grierson has settled in seamlessly, according to Henry-Wright.

“You’d never know she was living in England — she’s gelled so nicely with the girls. She’s quite comfortable and excited,” the former player of the game said.

Looking ahead to the series, Henry-Wright emphasised the team’s focus on consistency, proper execution, full-court defence, and attacking play.

“We are expecting to play the entire game — some strong netball. We’re really hoping to improve on the weak areas we had in our last encounter with England [so] as to build on what we didn’t do so well. We also want to keep on improving on what we did well so we’re definitely looking for consistency in our play,” Henry-Wright explained.

Sterling-Humphrey also gave her thoughts on the upcoming series against South Africa, expressing admiration for the visiting team’s skills.

“Although I haven’t faced South Africa many times I know they’re a great team and it’ll be a good challenge for us, and we’re looking forward to it,” she said.

Regarding the team’s preparations, Sterling-Humphrey noted that training has been business as usual, with a focus on fine-tuning their skills for the upcoming matches.

“Confidence is always high in the Jamaican camp. I don’t think Jamaica ever lacks confidence and so it is good being up there with our confidence going into the game. We’re feeling good, and our expectations are to play some excellent netball and hopefully secure a win,” Sterling-Humphrey said.

The three-match series is expected to be a closely contested and intense affair, with both teams eager to prove their mettle. The Sunshine Girls will be seeking to maintain their winning momentum, while the SPAR Proteas will be looking to pull off a major upset and claim a morale-boosting victory.

The next two games in the series are scheduled for January 18 and 25 at the same venue.

SQUADS:

Jamaica — Shooters: Shimona Jok, Shanice Beckford, Rhea Dixon, Mischa Creary, and Simone Gordon

Centre Court: Abigale Sutherland, Khadijah Williams, Crystal Plummer, Brie Grierson, and Adean Thomas

Defence: Shamera Sterling Humphrey (captain), Latanya Wilson, Jody-Ann Ward, Theresa Beckford, and Kimone Shaw

South Africa — Shooters: Nichole Breedt, Rolene Streutker, Elmerè van der Berg, Ine-Mari Venter, and Owethu Ngubane

Centre Court: Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Khanyisa Chawane, Refiloe Nketsa, and Jeante Strydom

Defence: Boitumelo Mahloko, Sanmarie Visser, Ane Retief, Nicola Smith, and Jamie van Wyk