Faith, fellowship and netball as Sunshine Girls prepare for Horizon Series
Sunshine Girls players attend a worship service at Waltham Park New Testament Church of God on Sunday. From left are Latanya Wilson, Kimone Shaw, Crystal Plummer, and Gezelle Allison, who enjoyed the praise and worship session.
Key Points(5)
- Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls have placed faith alongside preparation as they count down to the start of the Horizon Netball Series, joining team officials, Netball Jamaica executives, sponsors, and supporters for a spirited worship service at Waltham Park New Testament Church of God on Sunday.
- The gathering provided an opportunity for the national team to seek blessings ahead of its departure for England, where the opening leg of the four-match series against the hosts will be contested later this month.
- For the Sunshine Girls, the pre-tour church visit has become an established tradition, with the team making a point of worshiping together at a different church before embarking on international assignments.
- Faith and unity beyond the court Sunday's service featured an energetic praise and worship session led by Nadine Blair and a large group of singers, while Sunshine Girl Abigale Sutherland delivered the Scripture reading.
- Netball Jamaica President Karen Baugh also addressed the congregation, drawing on biblical references in a greeting that received enthusiastic responses from the audience.
Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls have placed faith alongside preparation as they count down to the start of the Horizon Netball Series, joining team officials, Netball Jamaica executives, sponsors, and supporters for a spirited worship service at Waltham Park New Testament Church of God on Sunday.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the national team to seek blessings ahead of its departure for England, where the opening leg of the four-match series against the hosts will be contested later this month.
For the Sunshine Girls, the pre-tour church visit has become an established tradition, with the team making a point of worshiping together at a different church before embarking on international assignments.
Faith and unity beyond the court
Sunday's service featured an energetic praise and worship session led by Nadine Blair and a large group of singers, while Sunshine Girl Abigale Sutherland delivered the Scripture reading.
Netball Jamaica President Karen Baugh also addressed the congregation, drawing on biblical references in a greeting that received enthusiastic responses from the audience.
Baugh said the occasion served a purpose beyond seeking spiritual guidance, emphasizing the importance of strengthening relationships within the team and its wider support structure.
“Apart from it being a tradition to come and worship together before we leave to go on a tour, we really feel that it’s something that really bonds the team together, that it’s not just what happens on court that is important, what happens off court is as important and we get our support team here everybody together praising the Lord in a way that the service today was really wonderful and I think we have left feeling refreshed and energized so go forth and conquer,” she said.
The president's sentiments were echoed by defender Latanya Wilson, who welcomed the opportunity to give thanks before the team begins its latest international assignment.
Wilson targets progress after World Cup
Wilson, one of Jamaica's leading defensive players locally and internationally, said the spiritual gathering remained an important part of the team's preparations, recognizing that sporting ability alone was not enough.
“It means a lot. It has been a practice for us because the skills alone is not going to do it and we always put Got at the forefront and without Him we can’t do anything so we have to make sure we come and honour His name and make sure we are just giving back to God (be)cause He has blessed us with the skills and the talent to go out there to represent ourselves and our country,” she said.
With the Sunshine Girls now looking ahead to their four encounters against England, Wilson is hoping the series will provide another opportunity to build on their recent World Cup experience.
She stressed that while victories remain important, improving execution and strengthening combinations will be equally significant as Jamaica continues its preparations for next year's World Cup.
“My expectation is definitely to build on the World Cup. Winning is a part of it but also just making sure that we are nailing the basics and working on combinations for the World Cup next year,” Wilson added.
England encounters first, Jamaica finale to follow
With the squad now announced, preparations will continue under head coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright, with the players scheduled to train three days per week as the technical staff sharpen their focus on the specific demands of the series.
The third staging of the Horizon Netball Series will open in England, with matches scheduled for November 21 and 22 at London's Copper Box Arena. The rivalry will then shift to Kingston, where the final two encounters will take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre on December 5 and 6.
The teams will compete for the Rhone-Hornsby Trophy, named in honor of Jamaica's Molly Rhone and Jean Hornsby, England's first Black player on its national team.
Jamaica captured the inaugural title in 2024 with a 2-1 series victory, but England claimed the trophy in 2025, winning 2-0 when only the English leg was contested following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
This year's results will carry added significance, with the two nations currently occupying third and fourth positions, respectively, in World Netball's team rankings, and England holding the advantage.
The Sunshine Girls are sponsored by Kendel and Best Dressed.
Other sponsors supporting the series include Wata, Powerade, Gilbert, Supreme Ventures, Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica Public Service, Bob Marley Foundation, Main Event, Budget Car Rental, Coconut Industry Board, Guardian Life, Canopy Insurance, G C Foster College, and S Hotel.
