Kingston Hummingbirds Head Coach Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish, a former Sunshine Girl and founder of Jamaica’s first netball academy, proved her prowess on and off the court as her team clinched the 2025 Red Stripe Flavours/Netball Jamaica (NJ) Elite League title with a thrilling 52-50 win over Manchester Spurs at the National Arena on Sunday.

Ffrench-Kentish’s dedication to developing young netballers through her academy has been instrumental in shaping the sport’s future in Jamaica. Her experience as a player and coach gave the Hummingbirds the edge they needed to overcome Manchester Spurs in the championship final.

Tracyann Francis led the charge for Kingston Hummingbirds, netting 43 goals from 46 attempts. Tania Thomas chipped in with nine goals from 13 attempts.

For Manchester Spurs, Amanda Pinkney scored 39 goals from 49 attempts, Mone Wilmont was clinical with six goals from six attempts, and Aaliyah Hibbert added five goals from 11 attempts.

“I am extremely elated. We were coming in as underdogs, Manchester Spurs hadn’t lost a game since the season started, and so the pressure was on them more than us. My girls stuck to the task, they were disciplined, and we had a lead that we wanted to maintain,” Ffrench-Kentish told the Jamaica Observer.

“My girls stuck to the task, they were disciplined, and we had a lead that we wanted to maintain. They actually got into the lead, but I know that the girls had it in them to pull out the victory tonight, and I am extremely proud,” she further added.

The two teams clashed in a thrilling encounter, with Kingston Hummingbirds taking an early lead in the first quarter 16-15. Manchester Spurs fought back to level the score at 28-28 by halftime. The third quarter was intense, but the Hummingbirds managed to pull away, leading 43-36 at the end of the period. In the final quarter, Manchester Spurs mounted a strong comeback, but ultimately, the Hummingbirds held on for a narrow 52-50 victory.

Ffrench-Kentish credited her team’s success to their unity, discipline, and a well-executed game plan.

“From the game started, we knew that we wanted to win, but I know it was going to be a tough game throughout. We had a plan coming into the game, and believe me, the vibes in the camp was just right, and the unity was good. We were on a winning streak, and we wanted to maintain that, and I kept the confidence of the girls up,” she explained.

Ffrench-Kentish also praised her coaching team and sponsors, Nature Valley, for their support.

“My coaches, I have to say kudus to my assistant coach, my intern coach, and my management team — we all played an important role. Also, our sponsor Nature Valley, they were behind us all the way. It was an entire team effort, and for that, I am thankful, and I am extremely happy about the win, and we are champions, and it feels good,” she said.

Meanwhile, Manchester Spurs coach Dalton Hinds was proud of his team’s performance, despite the loss.

“I thought the girls did particularly well, we knew it was always going to be a tough game. When you have a tall shooter like [Tracyann Francis] it’s really a challenge to stop the ball. So our plan was to minimise the feeds to her, and we did particularly well with that, but we could have done a little better,” he said.

Hinds acknowledged that his team had opportunities to win, but their shooting let them down.

“We had forced some turnovers and had the opportunities to put them away, but the shooting was just not going well for us. Naturally, you are going to be disappointed when you don’t win, but I am very pleased with the performance, and happy that we were able to push Kingston Hummingbirds right to the end,” Hinds affirmed.

The Manchester Spurs coach also highlighted the team’s fitness level, which he believed gave them an edge.

“As you see on court, my girls are quite fitter than them, but we got two opportunities inside the power play and missed the shots. You can’t kill them, but that’s shooting – today you come and shoot well, and tomorrow you just can’t get the shot in,” he explained.

Despite the loss, Hinds is looking forward to the new season and the opportunity to regroup and come back stronger.

“The plan now is just to see what Jamaica Netball comes with next year because this is a totally different Manchester Spurs team than the one that I won with last year. So we are really happy to have been in the finals and could have won it as well, but it is what it is,” Hinds said.

Kingston Hummingbirds’ Tracyann Francis makes a successful shot during the final of the 2025 Red Stripe Flavours/Netball Jamaica Elite League at the National Arena on Sunday. Looking on are (from left) Manchester Spurs’ Christeina Bryan, Hummingbirds’ Tania Thomas, and Spurs Kimone Shaw (partially hidden). (Photo: Collin Reid)

Manchester Spurs’ Amanda Pickney (right) scores ahead of Kingston Hummingbirds’ Shion Clarke during the final of the 2025 Red Stripe Flavours/Netball Jamaica Elite League at the National Arena on Sunday. (Photo: Collin Reid)

FFRENCH-KENTISH… we had a plan coming into the game, and believe me, the vibes in the camp was just right, and the unity was good. (Photo: Collin Reid)