MOTIVATED BY DOUBT - Netball Jamaica boss says team fuelled by lowered expectations

President of Netball Jamaica (NJ) Karen Rosen-Baugh says the Sunshine Girls used what she has referred to as their ‘underdog status’ as motivation to exceed expectations and secure a historic second consecutive silver medal at the Commonwealth Games Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Jamaica claimed back-to-back silver medals at the championships after going down 56-48 to New Zealand in Sunday’s final.

Rosen-Baugh noted that very few people gave Jamaica a realistic chance of securing a medal, but the players embraced the challenge and proved their critics wrong.

“I think that really helps being the underdogs because it only makes the girls more determined,” said Rosen-Baugh.

“Everybody follows social media, and they really were giving us a fifth or sixth place, and this is what the pundits were saying. But I think they went out there to prove them wrong, and to prove to themselves that with courage and determination you can do it.”

Rosen-Baugh highlighted the balance within the squad, with its blend of experienced players and emerging talent, as one of the keys to the team’s success.

“I think this is a good mix of girls in the sense that we have veterans, we have players who have been on the team for a while, and we have new players,” she said.

“I think the combinations and the older players working closely with the younger players is excellent for the programme, and I hope that we can continue to have this mix going forward into our next championships.”

Competition for team spots

With the 2027 Netball World Cup now on the horizon, Rosen-Baugh pointed out that competition for places in the national squad will intensify as injured players return and others continue to press for selection.

“The World Cup next year is going to be a very big deal in terms of us putting together the right team with the players who are at our disposal. We have some players who are still out and will be back, and we also have some new players challenging for spots on the team, and so it is going to be really competitive. Everybody will have to work very hard to gain a spot on the team.

“We have a Horizon Series against England coming up in November and December, and then we move into World Cup preparations, and so funding and strategic planning for that is on the front burner for us now.”

Although disappointed not to win Jamaica’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal, Rosen-Baugh said the players and support staff could not be more proud of what they accomplished.

“The mood is kind of mixed in the camp because the girls were really going for the gold medal, but I think the girls did an awesome job,” the JN boss shared.

“Coming from the high of that win against Australia in the semi-final, it was always going to be tough against New Zealand. But I think they gave it a really good shot, and we continue to be proud of the work that they did on the court, and that the team did behind the scenes.”

Rosen-Baugh also noted that the national side continues to face significant financial challenges, but she hopes greater resources will help the Sunshine Girls build on their recent success.