Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, who currently rank 4th in the World, departed the island this morning to compete in the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia. This amazing team of women have worked very hard and are ready to take on the world and take home the GOLD medals for their country — fitting gift to the island on its 53rd anniversary of Independence. The NWC begins on Thursday, Aug 6 and will be broadcasted on FOX Sports. Watch the trailer below.
Jamaica have played a total of 116 Netball World Cup matches, winning 78, losing 35 and drawing three, giving them a 67 percent win rating.
“We are definitely going to the championship for the gold medal; nothing else,” captain and goalkeeper Nicole Aiken-Pinnock told the Observer on Monday. “That’s the whole purpose, that’s the aim. My teammates are really positive, we have been really optimistic, we have been training really hard, and we are really disciplined, and I think this will take us to the top of the podium,” the 29-year-old asserted.
On landing, they will participate in a 3-day camp in Canberra before settling in Sydney. The team will then face Samoa in the opening game of the World Cup on Aug 6, Independence Day. A total of 16 nations will compete in the August 7-16 tournament for the title now held by Australia. The Girls won the bronze medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games after a scintillating game against England. The girls aim to dominate the World Cup to improve on our 4th place finish in Singapore in 2011.
The twelve-member team is led by Nicole Aiken-Pinnock (Captain) with Paula Thompson (Vice Captain), Romelda Aiken,Shanice Beckford, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Nicole Dixon, Stacian Facey, Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Anna Kay Griffiths, Sasher-Gaye Henry, Khadijah Williams, and Vangelee Williams. The reserves are Shantal Slater and Adean Thomas.
EEEEEXXXCCCCCIIIITED !!! A photo posted by @aiken_miloromelda on
