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Just 46 days before a big international test match, JamaicaThe United States national netball team was dealing with the effects of Hurricane Melissa. Their training was disrupted for three weeks due to the widespread destruction caused by the Category 5 hurricane.
Today they lost 80-37 to a full-strength England side in the first game of the series. But for many of the Sunshine players on the court, the match was about more than netball.
Storm This created immense mental stress for the Jamaican players, especially midfield Abigail Sutherland. Due to this, her grandfather’s house was destroyed and after this she was not able to contact him for several days.
Sutherland said, “I’m very close to my grandfather. My mother was unable to care for me as a child and I lost two of my uncles to violence. I lived with my grandfather and he is the proudest person I know. He’ll take any opportunity he can to tell people about me playing netball.”
Sadly, without electricity in his area, Sutherland’s biggest fan was unable to watch his granddaughter play on television today.
After the first two Kingston matches were cancelled, Jamaica took to the international court at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday for the first time since the storm.
They were already without several Australia-based star players who plied their trade in the professional Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league, including Adelaide Thunderbirds’ season MVP Latanya Wilson, who was also named in the SSN Team of the Year.
England played the team in front of them and put their foot on the pedal as soon as the first whistle blew and took a 22-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. They rotated players and positions but still kept up the pressure and with a huge lead of 23 goals at half time the team moved one place above them in the world rankings.
For Jamaica, the measure of success in this match was not the final score, but their ability to display resilience and unity after home challenges. With several experienced players absent, coach Sacher-Gay was pleased to give Henry-Wright the opportunity.
“We were very grateful to at least get to play in the England stage, especially the young and inexperienced team – it was a blessing to get them on the court to get used to the environment.”
Captain Shanice Beckford said the team had come together like never before, using the familiar structure of international netball to strengthen themselves when facing England.
“I just tried to unify with the girls and remind them to stay in our bubble. I feel like that’s when we’re in our bubble and not listening to outside noise or what’s going on around us.
“What’s happening at home is devastating… Our close friends, family and fans have been affected, but I try my best to encourage them.”
Jamaica’s supporters were prominent in the Copper Box, waving flags and making their presence felt with constant cheers, cheering on the Sunshine Girls. Sutherland said, “It’s everything to see that we’re away from home but we still have a sense of home. You have a piece of Jamaica with you wherever you go, so we really appreciate that.”
But the appreciation was not limited to just one section of the stands. England fans responded warmly to Jamaica’s shots and intercepts and appreciated the quality moments regardless of allegiance. The result was an environment defined by respect as well as rivalry.
England impressed and eventually recorded a 43-goal win over Jamaica. But captain Fran Williams spoke emphatically about the bigger picture: “It’s shown us all that sport has a huge power to play in these fraught moments, as you’re seeing and with everything going on at home, I have the utmost respect for Jamaica to make the trip at this time.
“The fact that they’re able to come here and compete against us the way they did brought that level of intensity. It’s a huge honor and privilege to represent your country, but given everything that’s going on right now, today felt extra special.”