Expectation high for upcoming Horizon Netball Series

Netball Jamaica and the entire Sunshine Girls squad led by coach Sasher-Gaye Henry-Wright expressed high expectation for the upcoming Horizon Netball Series between Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls and England’s Vitality Roses, which was launched last Tuesday at the S Hotel in New Kingston.

The series which is in its third year of competition will get under way in England with matches on November 21 and 22 at the Copper Box Area in London and then close in Jamaica at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on December 5 and 6.

The teams play for the Rhone Hornsby Trophy in honour of Molly Rhone of Jamaica and Jean Hornsby who is England’s first black play on the national team. Jamaica bagged the trophy at the first staging in 2024, 2-1 while England got its first hold on it in 2025, 2-0, when only the England leg of the competition was played due the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.

The results of this year’s staging will separate the teams who are ranked third and fourth on World Netball’s team ranking table in favour of England.

Coach’s overview

Henry-Wright spoke about the rivalry between the teams while appealing to the local fans to give its full support to the Sunshine Girls as they try to take back the trophy.

“We expect a fierce rivalry. You know, it’s always a competition between England and Jamaica, and the fact that we have not played England in a Commonwealth game is something that’s going to be exciting because we didn’t cross paths. The fact that England actually won the last series, we were not able because of Hurricane Melissa, so we were not able to play our two home games, and a lot of our players were not available for that series so it’s going to be interesting to see how well the two teams match up against each other. I know I’m expecting our girls to do well, and we’re expecting England to do well, so it all comes down to tactical plays, limited turnovers, to see some improvements heading into this series. I’m excited too because I’d love to get a jam-packed arena. I mean, we had an exciting one when we played South Africa. England hate the pot covers. The international teams hate the pot covers. We love it because it’s a part of our culture, so we want to bring that vibe. The community person is coming out. The students are coming out, the parents, the past players, and the friends come out and be that extra man behind the girls.”

She made an earnest appeal for trainer, “one of the big things that we struggle with, and it’s a very important part, is our strength and condition. It just feels like it’s just too much going over it over again but at this point in time, it’s not the ideal situation that we have where we definitely need… we have a trainer, but we are not able to fund the trainer and it’s very important. We have facilities, so GC Foster College always makes themselves available. Their facility, Jamaica College, has stepped up and assisted us in that so we really want to ramp up on that.”

She however said that preparation was intense in spite of the unfavourable situation at the moment.

Player’s perspective

“You can expect a lot. I think you can expect flair, you can expect great quality netball out there. One thing about the Sunshine Girls is that we take pride in the work that we execute out there on court so definitely coming out and supporting us will mean the world to us. So make sure you’re there at the stadium on December 5th and 6th” said Latanya Wilson who is on a break from her international contract and has been preparing with the local based player ahead of the series’

President’s expectation

According to Netball Jamaica’s president Karen Baugh, “we can expect really intense competition. The two teams, if you were watching the Commonwealth Games, even though Jamaica came second and England came fourth, you would be able to see that they were teams performing at a very high level so we expect that patrons should come, expecting to be entertained, expecting some great netball. Make sure you come early. Make sure you come out and see our development squad at work as well. That’s the future of the Sunshine Girls but we are looking for a really great two days of netball.”

There will be three matches between England and Jamaica’s development squads on December 3, 5 and 6.

“Well, we’re happy that the sponsors are coming on board. We always need more because we want to make sure the girls are being prepared at an elite level. We want to make sure that when we tour overseas that they have everything that a national team should have to support their on-court work but I’m really happy with the level of sponsorship that we’ve seen so far. Some sponsors have come on in the last few days. We are open and ready to welcome more sponsors to the table. The Sunshine Girls are awesome ambassadors for Jamaica, and we feel that you can find a connection with us that will suit your brand as well as making sure that the program and the girls are supported”, said Baugh.

The Sunshine Girls team sponsors are Kendel and Best Dressed. Some of the series sponsors are Wata, Power Ade, Gilbert, Supreme Ventures, JTB, JPS, Bob Marley Foundation, Main Event, Budget Car Rental, Coconut Industry Board, Guardian Life, Canopy Insurance and S Hotel.

Related posts:

Alabama Executes Anthony Boyd Using Nitrogen Gas — Controversy Surrounds Method 845 Schools Reopen as Jamaica Recovers from Hurricane Melissa Uzi Submachine Gun Seized in Kingston East Raid PM Holness Visits Catherine Hall on Wednesday as Recovery Efforts Gain Momentum After Hurricane Melissa Vehicle Plunges Into Black River; Man Reported Missing Veteran Sports Journalist Donald Oliver Dies at 40