JAMAICA Netball Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright says the return of senior players, led by co-captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, has lifted spirits in the camp as the Sunshine Girls prepare for the four-match Horizon Series against England Roses.

The series represents the final scheduled major assignment for the Sunshine Girls before the 2027 Netball World Cup.

The team leaves for England on November 14, ahead of the first two encounters at the Copper Box Arena in London on November 21 and 22. The series then returns home for the final two matches at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) in St Andrew on December 5 and 6.

Contested in honour of netball icons Jamaica’s Molly Rhone and England’s Jean Hornsby, the Horizon Series has quickly developed into a keen rivalry since its inception in 2024.

The inaugural series produced a classic, with Jamaica claiming a 2-1 victory after one match was tied, underlining the evenly matched nature of the two sides.

Last year, England ran out 2-0 winners after both matches in Jamaica were cancelled due to the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, leaving unfinished business between the teams.

This year’s renewal carries added significance, coming on the back of a historic campaign for the Sunshine Girls, who captured a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

And Henry-Wright says excitement is building.

“I mean, we’re excited that we have a lot of our senior players back. This is our last preparation. We’re actually picking up our preparation for World Cup next year. So it’s good to have most of your players in. It’s a great feeling,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

“Training is going well, so far. We’re really trying to intensify as much as we can in terms of physical preparation and also in terms of tactical preparation. I mean, there are still areas that we really need to work on. You know, we still don’t have all the combinations, but, you know, sometimes when you don’t have it, it’s good that girls have to work without certain areas to keep a little bit more discipline.

“But we are quite excited that we have most of our players. So we have six players that are away that will join the squad, we have two in England and four in Australia and we have a week to prepare so it’s going to be hard work that is one disadvantage that we have to join so late but despite that we’re really trying to ramp up mental preparation, physical preparation and all the other preparations that we can,” Henry-Wright added.

The biggest boost, she said, is the return of Fowler-Nembhard from maternity leave.

“We’re just happy to have back Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard. I think you know she’s just coming out of maternity leave. You know nothing to prove and we’re just hoping that she will lead from the front as one of our captains. She’s always carrying the team, being disciplined leading from the front so the expectation is the same and I know she’s excited to rejoin so we just can’t wait to reunite with her,” Henry-Wright said.

Jamaica enter the series ranked number four in the world, one spot behind England at number three, and Henry-Wright expects a high-intensity battle for the trophy.

“We are very excited about our Commonwealth performance. It comes down to how hard we play and how steady and focused we keep so it’s a high intensity game. England is a very good component. They are number three in the world. We are ranked number four. They have the last tournament and they will be coming hard to maintain that. We also want to take back that trophy. It comes down to how disciplined our girls are, how well they will improve and take care of that ball. Try to get a lot of defensive plays so that they can keep attacking the game. We’re looking forward to a very intense and fierce competition from our rivals,” she said.

With six overseas-based players joining late, Henry-Wright admitted the short preparation window will be demanding, but said the squad is used to each other and will hit the ground running once together.

“I mean, we just have to start as we get there, you know, in terms of our preparation. As soon as we meet, we get together and we’ll start our preparation in terms of our court work and whatever team building and bonding activities we do, we’ll definitely do whatever mental preparation we need to do, we will definitely do to get them ready. And they are used to each other. I mean, they have not played. I mean, some of them might play with Janelle for the first time because I know Brie would be playing with her for the first time. So it’s going to be interesting and it’s something that will is going to be new to us so you know it’s just good that we can get that connection in the attack going,” Henry-Wright explained.

Despite the challenges, she insisted the mood in camp is high.

“The spirit is high, I think as we get closer I think the girls are even more excited and you know mean more you know going a little bit harder and harder for each training session I think we’re building nicely so it’s just the time that we will just meet together continue preparing ensuring that they stay healthy and, you know, giving all the good recoveries that we can and for them to really execute and keep practising and building for each training session,” she said.

HENRY-WRIGHT… we’re actually picking up our preparation for World Cup next year (Photo: Karl Mclarty)