Former national player Sasher-Gaye Henry has been reappointed as the new head coach of the Sunshine Girls team by Netball Jamaica. The announcement took place at the R Hotel in Kingston, on Monday, marking Henry’s return to a familiar role.
Henry’s previous coaching experience with the national team in 2018, alongside Marvette Anderson, was notable for leading the squad to a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. This achievement highlighted Henry’s coaching capabilities and her ability to guide athletes to international success.
Simone Forbes, the first vice president of Netball Jamaica, and a former Sunshine Girl star player, expressed the organization’s excitement about having Henry as the new head coach of the senior national team. Forbes also shared Netball Jamaica’s ambitious goal of winning the 2027 World Cup, believing it is achievable with the right team and coaching staff.
Expressed her happiness at rejoining the national set-up
Henry, at 44 years old, expressed her happiness at rejoining the national set-up and conveyed her enthusiasm for achieving significant milestones with the Sunshine Girls. She emphasized her commitment to working with the team to aim for the top spot in international netball.
“I am happy to be back, and I am looking forward to working with everyone to achieve our objectives, which is to become the number one netball team in the world,” Henry said.
The appointment of the head coach became necessary after Connie Francis chose not to renew her contract with Netball Jamaica following the Sunshine Girls’ bronze medal finish at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, in August 2023.
Henry faced competition for the position, including former Sunshine Girls assistant coach Annett Daley. Her return as head coach signifies a new chapter for the Sunshine Girls, with aspirations of further success on the global netball stage.
