Brie Grierson may have been born in England but after making her début for the Sunshine Girls in January, her commitment to Jamaica has reached new levels.

In her first appearance for Jamaica’s senior netballers, the 27-year-old attacker played a vital role as they swept South Africa 3-0 in the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series at the National Indoor Sports Centre last month.

Grierson, originally from Leeds, qualified to play for the Sunshine Girls through her father, whose roots are in Mocho, Clarendon.

Stepping on the court and coming out on top, Grierson was overcome with emotion.

“Debuting was incredible, I cried day one. I just looked at my parents and felt so proud to be Jamaican. To get to start an international series, I didn’t think that would happen so quickly, so it’s been incredible on and off the court. The Girls made me feel welcomed, and I don’t want to leave,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Grierson, who plays for Nottingham Forrest in the United Kingdom’s Netball Super League, has been used to the British atmosphere at games. But after experiencing the support from the Jamaican crowd she was left in awe.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it. I told [fellow British-born player] Rhea [Dixon] it’s going to be quiet going back to the UK and playing in the Super League, no one is going to be smashing pans,” she joked.

“It’s unbelievable to see how proud everyone is to be Jamaican and support the Sunshine Girls. [Jamaican-born teammate] Latanya [Wilson] and I spoke briefly at the end, she just said it’s not been as packed and loud as this so we’re on a rise. And we feel like the crowd and fans are coming with us on the journey, and they really did help us get the win,” Grierson added.

The athlete represented England at the youth level, but over the last few years strongly considered wearing the black, gold and green after discussions with Sunshine Girls star Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.

Now, after being with the team and having the series success, Grierson is more motivated than ever.

“[Head Coach] Sasher[-Gaye Henry-Wright], the selection staff, and I had a lot of conversations before coming on board because we both wanted to make sure it was right for us, and I didn’t want it to be just an option; it’s a commitment. I’m committed to this squad,” she added.

The Sunshine Girls have predominantly been a tight unit with quality players, so it was assumed that new additions would have to work overtime to prove themselves. However, Grierson said the squad was already cognisant of what she could contribute.

“I think pressure is something you put on yourself, so I was just trying to see what can I bring to the team and just always be positive. I was really fortunate that I already knew some of the girls, like Rhea, Shanice [Beckford] and Shamera, so it’s kind of easier when the big dogs know you, to ease you in. It also helped meeting them all in England, so I felt way more comfortable this time knowing them and not feeling I had to prove myself,” she explained.

She also hailed the coaching staff for making the transition smooth for the team on and off the court.

“Sasher and [her assistant] Kurt [Dale] are incredible, I’m going to miss them so much. I’m going to miss the Girls as well,” Grierson said as she returns to club duty in England.

“We had quite a short period together, two weeks isn’t that long when you break down the games, because you have rest days between. But the coaches really planned it well, gave us as much information as possible to go forward in the series, and then to be able to play all 15 players is amazing to do and get three wins,” she added.

Jamaica moved up to third in the World Netball rankings and are aiming to win the country’s first-ever gold medal at a major competition.

Confident in her decision to represent the Sunshine Girls, Grierson said she’s hoping to be part of history.

“I think, for us, we were saying it feels great to win and that’s all we want to do now. We want gold at Commonwealth Games, we want gold at the World Cup, and I believe this squad can do that and we’re all committed to that journey,” she charged.