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• Latanya Wilson’s ascent to netball stardom paved with hard work, stubborn determination

  Adversity often serves as the catalyst for greatness, and Latanya Wilson’s path to being a formidable force for Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League franchise Adelaide Thunderbirds and, by extension, Jamaica, is a testament to that.

  Wilson’s journey has been one of perseverance, talent, and an unyielding drive for success as being told she wasn’t good enough, coupled with tragic losses along the way, shaped her ascent in netball to the point where she is now a force to be reckoned with.

  The rangy wing defence, who possesses the ability to both hunt and find the loose balls, recently celebrated her 50th game milestone in the SSN, and as she reflected on the path to achieving the feat, Wilson is even more determined to add another chapter to that legacy.

  “Reaching 50 games in the SSN is truly surreal. It feels like a huge accomplishment, especially considering what the journey was like and the dedication and hard work it took to get here. To say it was rough would be an understatement, you know, the setbacks and obstacles that I faced along the way, but I was always focused on the bigger picture,” Wilson told SportsMax.TV from her base in Australia.

  “I am grateful for everyone who supported me in overcoming those challenges to make it this far, and I'm excited to see what the future holds because I still have so much more to give, and so it is just about pushing even harder from here to accomplish even more,” she added.

  

  Latanya Wilson produced a Player of the Match performance on her 50th outing.

  Having worked her way through the ranks of Jamaica’s netball teams, Wilson’s career initially took flight when she was drafted by Cardiff Dragons in England’s Vitality Netball Superleague in 2020, which is where she first paraded her prowess to create turnover balls, as well as her impressive vision and take off speed.

  However, it wasn’t until she arrived in Australia a year later that Wilson really honed her craft as a defensive powerhouse. The 23-year-old’s agility, keen sense of positioning, and ability to read the game have made her an indispensable asset to the Thunderbirds team.

  “The growth has been immense because Australian netball is incredibly fast-paced and strategic. Moving here forced me to refine my skills, improve my decision-making under pressure, and develop a deeper understanding of the game.  The competition is fierce, and playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world has pushed me to become a more well-rounded and confident athlete,” Wilson shared.

  Despite her consistency and resilience, the Mico University alumna attributed her success to the support of her coaches and teammates, her Sunshine Girls compatriots Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Romelda Aiken-George in particular.

  

  Latanya Wilson (left) share a light moment with compatriot Shamera Sterling-Humphrey.

  “My success is a combination of factors.  My unwavering passion for the sport keeps me motivated to train hard and push my limits, and that along with having dedicated coaches who believe in my potential and provide constant guidance has been instrumental. Additionally, the unwavering support system of family, friends, and teammates fuels my drive to succeed,” Wilson noted.

  “Playing alongside Shamera and Romelda is truly an honour. They're not just exceptional players, but also big sisters to me who share their knowledge and experience. Also, having other familiar faces like Shanice [Beckford] and others in the league fosters a sense of camaraderie and competition,” she reasoned.

  Besides her 50th game milestone, Wilson also boasts another significant achievement of assisting Thunderbirds to the title last year. But for every remarkable feat, the soft-spoken player pointed out that there were lessons that she had to learn.

  “Winning the SSN championship with my team was a dream come true, and the feeling of celebrating with my teammates is unforgettable. There have also been personal achievements, like being named in the team of the year twice in a row, but there have been low moments as well. Being away from my loved ones and missing out on family celebrations are among them, but it taught me resilience and the importance of mental strength. Both the highs and lows have made me a stronger and more resilient player and so I relish each when they come,” Wilson revealed.

  

  Wilson and her Adelaide Thunderbirds teammates.

  Looking ahead, Wilson remains grounded and motivated by the support of her family, fans, and teammates. For her, the road ahead is filled with promise and challenges, but she is undeterred and is unflinching in her desire to help the Thunderbirds secure another SSN crown.

  With seven games gone in the season so far, Thunderbirds sit third on five wins and two losses and Wilson is eyeing more improvements heading into round eight.

  “There's always room for improvement, but overall, I'm happy with how the team is gelling. We're building momentum, learning from each game, and finding our rhythm.  It’s still early days, but every team is strong, and the competition is fierce. We are focusing on each game one at a time and hopefully that will land us in the finals,” the bubbly personality stated.

  “Personally, my ultimate goal is to continue contributing to my team's success and also to maintain my high standard when I’m representing my country at the international level.  I'm constantly striving to improve my skills, develop new strategies, and become a beast on court, as I hope to inspire young athletes and show them that hard work and dedication can lead to achieving their dreams,” she ended.

• Teenager Reid Jr gets first senior team call-up as Reggae Boyz to kick off WCQ without Blake et al

  Adrian Reid Jr’s consistent showing throughout the recently-concluded Jamaica Premier League (JPL) has been rewarded with a senior team call-up, as Reggae Boyz Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson named a 26-man squad for the upcoming Concacaf World Cup qualifying fixture against Dominican Republic at the National Stadium on June 6.

  Reid Jr’s inclusion comes as Hallgrimsson will be without a number of his first choice players –Demarai Gray, Amari’i Bell, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ethan Pinnock, Andre Blake and Dujuan Richards –due to injury, while Leon Bailey remains unavailable.  

  The 17-year-old Reid Jr, who assisted Cavalier to the JPL title, has represented Jamaica at the youth level, and is now on the cusp of following his father and former Reggae Boy Adrian Reid as senior team representatives.

  Whether or not the central defender will be giving his debut, is left to be seen, as along with those injured, Hallgrimsson will also be without right-back Dexter Lembikisa and midfielder Kasey Palmer, who will both serve card suspensions for the opening World Cup qualifying contest.

  After next Thursday’s game, the Reggae Boyz will then be on the road three days later for their second Group E fixture against Dominica.

  The group also comprises British Virgin Islands and Guatemala.

  Reggae Boyz Squad - Shaquan Davis, Jayden Hibbert, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Jahmali Waite, Dexter Lembikisa, Di'Shon Bernard, Greg Leigh, Damion Lowe, Michael Hector, Richard King, Tayvon Gray, Jon Bell, Kasey Palmer, Karoy Anderson, Bobby Reid, Daniel Johnson, Alex Marshall, Adrian Reid Jr, Kevon Lambert, Shamar Nicholson, Renaldo Cephas, Michail Antonio, Deshane Beckford, Kaheim Dixon, Cory Burke, Devonte Campbell

• Toni-Ann Williams excited to lead Jamaica gymnastics into the future as Technical Director

  History-making Jamaican Olympian Toni-Ann Williams has expressed her excitement and optimism at being appointed Technical Director of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association. Nicole Grant, the association’s president made the announcement this past weekend about the appointment of Williams, who in 2016 became the first ever gymnast to represent the country at an Olympic Games.

  In an exclusive interview with Sportsmax.TV, Williams detailed her vision for the future of the sport in Jamaica.

  “Yeah, I'm really excited about the position,” Williams shared. “I think it's something we've not had before in the organization, especially when I started there. I want to be able to bring a level, a little more organization, a little more direction, put some values and some motives behind the organization.”

  Williams, 28, is determined to leverage her extensive experience and educational background—including degrees in Legal Studies, Social Welfare, and a Master’s in Sports Ethics and Integrity—to enhance the structure and support within the association. “I think before, we've had really great representatives of the movement, but I think now we have more people supporting Jamaica gymnastics to be able to facilitate from the smallest things, helping to make sure they get to their hotel on time, and who's able to go to competitions and, you know, to the big things, like, you know, helping to find funding and things like that.”

  

  Reflecting on her own journey, Williams is committed to giving back to the sport and aiding its development in Jamaica. “Being able to have a support system, especially from people who've been there, done that, is, I would have really appreciated as an athlete. And so this is my way of being able to give back to the athletes and being able to help Jamaica gymnastics get to the vision that we see.”

  Adding to the excitement, the appointment of her former coach, Mladen Stefanov, a former Bulgarian Olympic gymnast, as Head Coach, promises to further elevate Jamaica’s gymnastics program. “Mladen has been the head coach on and off throughout the years, even since when I was a gymnast, and he always brings such a great energy. All the athletes from past and present love working with him,” said Williams.

  Williams and Stefanov’s combined expertise is expected to drive significant advancements. “We already have a great foundation, so we communicate super well, and he understands, obviously, the technical coaching side, and I being able to bring my experience as an athlete, so both of our experiences come together really well, and being able to help the athletes and being able to figure out what's best for what competition should we go to, what skills work, what routines don't work and that's not something we've had before.”

    

  Looking ahead, Williams is hopeful about the potential for growth despite the resource challenges. “Of course, we have a long way coming, and, of course, we need more resources, but being able to have people like myself being able to help Nicole Grant, being able to pilot these initiatives, I'm really excited about, and really, I think it's really great for the future of Jamaica Gymnastics.”

  Williams believes this strategic leadership is a crucial step towards elevating Jamaica’s presence in the gymnastics world. “We have a lot of powerhouses like USA and Brazil; of course, they have the resources, but they also have people who know the sport really well and have people that support. And I think that's a great start for Jamaica, to start having people in the corner who understand the sport, understand what's needed, understand the athlete's point of view, to be able to support them, and hopefully that's a step forward towards more resources and more opportunities for the athletes,” she opined.