‘Nothing to fear’

National senior netball player Abigail Sutherland believes the Sunshine Girls have nothing to fear when they face rivals England in the four-match Horizon Series later this month and is confident Jamaica can execute its plans to secure a series victory.

The Jamaicans will contest the opening two matches in London on November 21 and 22, before returning home for the final two games on December 5 and 6.

The Sunshine Girls lost the previous series 2-0 in England after the contest was reduced to two matches because of the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which affected sections of the island.

However, Sutherland believes Jamaica can build on its silver-medal performance at the Commonwealth Games in August and carry that momentum into the upcoming series.

“I think the ball is in our court, and I think it looks good for us coming off a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in August. The aim is to continue the upward trajectory, work hard as a team, and just put it all out there on court,” said Sutherland.

“Playing in England is always tough because of the crowd, the atmosphere, and the different climate. It is always difficult, compared to when we are playing out here, but I am looking forward to that. I am hoping that we can secure two wins over there before getting back to Jamaica,” she said.

England are ranked third in the world, one place above the Sunshine Girls, although the teams did not meet at the Commonwealth Games in August.

The 25-year-old Sutherland, a former The Queen’s High School standout who plays centre and wing attack, has been a mainstay of the national team for the past five years. She said her preparations have been intense as the locally based players work towards combining with their overseas-based teammates.

“My preparations have been hard, like no other training sessions are, and so we are just putting in the work. We hope that when the rest of the international players get here, we will be able to combine and match up great in skills. We are just working and hoping to gel when everyone gets together,” she said.

Sutherland, who is among five locally based players selected for the series, added that she has been working hard to improve her physical strength and fitness.

“I am feeling really good and really confident. In the gym I have been lifting more and working hard, and as a centre-court player, I have been really pushing myself. With the help of my coach and my teammates, I have been pushing myself very hard in training,” she said.

The other locally based players selected are Gezelle Allison, Crystal Plummer, Shanice Beckford and Nicole Rochester-Dixon.

Sutherland noted that competition for places has become increasingly intense, particularly with overseas-based players also vying for selection, but said it ultimately brings out the best in the local contingent.

“It is always difficult to get a spot on the team as a locally based player, but I think that healthy competition is good. With the inclusion of players from overseas, it really pushes you because there are more persons vying for the spot. It is up to you to put in that extra work and hope that you will be selected,” she said.

“To be selected in this team, I am truly grateful, and I can’t wait to see what I will produce out there on court.”

The Sunshine Girls are scheduled to depart next week.