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JAMAICA’s Sunshine Girls will close out 2024 in third place after rising one place in the latest World Netball global rankings. They moved ahead of the England Roses who are now listed at fourth.
This move comes on the heels of Jamaica’s recent 2-1 victory over England and, according to Simone Forbes, vice-president at Netball Jamaica (NJ), they were aware of the impact beating England would have on the rankings.
“We (Netball Jamaica) are extremely happy and pleased for the improved ranking from fourth to third. The players have been working really hard and we knew the effect beating England in the Horizon series would have. Therefore, we’re happy that we got enough ranking points to go ahead,” she explained.
Australia continue to head the rankings with 204 points, New Zealand are second on 192 points and Jamaica with 189. England with 188, and South Africa on 160, round out the top five placings. Forbes stated that, with a number of players plying their trade in the Australian Suncorp League, this has helped to improve their skill-set and, by extension, assisted in the growth and development of Jamaica’s netball. Jamaican trio Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson all made the 2024 Suncorp team of the year.
NETBALL
“It’s very crucial as, while playing in Australia, which I think has the best league in the world, the players have done extremely well. Three were on the team of the year and all the others are also doing well. Eight players are playing top-tier netball and we are happy with that as this trickles down into our programme. The local players get to play with the ladies who are coming back with a wealth of experience,” Forbes said.
The Sunshine Girls will be in action next month against South Africa in a three-match series listed for January 18, 22 and 25 at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Forbes believes this upcoming series will also be crucial towards the team’s continued growth, and she hopes the team will inch closer to the top-two ranked countries.
“It’s important that the team understands that the result of the next series could impact the rankings. England will play against South Africa the following month, so England will also have their bite at the cherry. So, for us to maintain, at least, a third-place ranking for this international window, the Sunshine Girls will have to ensure that they take all three matches against South Africa,” Forbes said.
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