Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls will be aiming to bounce back from a fifth-place finish at last year’s edition of the Fast5 Netball World Series when they compete at this year’s edition from November 9-10 at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

They will be without a number of their top senior players in New Zealand as, not long after the Fast5 series, the reigning Commonwealth Games silver medallists will be taking on the England Roses in home and away Tests between November 16 and November 26.

They will first travel to England for two games at the AO Arena in Manchester on November 16 and 17 before hosting the Roses at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew, Jamaica on November 25 and 26.

Dalton Hinds and Nardia Hanson have been tasked with coaching duties for the group heading to New Zealand.

On Friday, the governing body for the sport in Jamaica, Netball Jamaica, invited the media to the National Indoor Sports Centre for a media day showcasing the squad as they prepare for the tournament.

Hinds says the team’s preparation has been going well so far.

“Preparation is going well. They have tweaked some of the rules so we are trying to adapt to those as we go along,” he told Sportsmax.tv on Friday.

“The ladies are fit but they still need to get much fitter because the game is going to require that but I would say, in terms of the preparation, we are about 75 percent and, all things being equal, by time we leave here we should be at maximum fitness, game ready and tournament ready,” he added.

Hanson, who is set for her first assignment as a national coach, echoed some of Hinds’ sentiments.

“We’re getting the girls fit. They’re way better than where they were. I’m not seeing them making any errors in terms of the Fast5 rules so they’re adapting to that style of game,” she said.

While some may see the lack of experience in the squad as worrisome, Hansen sees it much differently.

“The fact that the girls are inexperienced, they are fearless. They are not expecting anything. They are just going to play netball. For them, it’s an opportunity and once it’s your first time, you’re going want to go out there and make a statement because, next time around, you’d want to be selected,” she said.

“It’s a lovely bunch. The girls want this and I’m expecting a good finish from the girls as long as we can keep them focused,” she added.

For Hinds, a successful tournament would see Jamaica at least finishing among the medals.

“A successful performance for us would be to win the championship but if we’re among the medals, we would love that,” he said.

The unique Fast5 rules – such as power plays and shortened quarters – bring an added level of excitement to the game.

The tournament format features a round-robin stage, where each team plays each other once. The top four teams will advance to the finals on the second day. The 1st-ranked team will face the 4th-placed team, while second will play third, with the winners progressing to the Grand Final. The remaining teams will contest third- and fifth-place playoffs.

Jamaica has a proud history in the Fast5 series, finishing as runners-up in 2009, 2017, and 2018, and securing third place in 2010 and 2013.

President of the governing body of football in the region, CONCACAF, Victor Montagliani, will be visiting Jamaica starting Wednesday October 16, 2024 for two days.

On his visit to Jamaica he will meet with the President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts, the Prime Minister of Jamaica The Most Honorable Andrew Holness, and also the Minister of Sport, The Honorable Olivia Grange.

Montagliani will also watch some matches in the Jamaica Premier League.

“We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani to Jamaica. This is a momentous moment for us,” Ricketts said.

“The last time he was here was for the FIFA Football Summit in Montego Bay in 2018. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with CONCACAF,” he added.

In an unfortunate event this September, two players from Dinthill Technical High School were banned from taking part in any Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) competition for one year, while a third was suspended for three games following an incident involving match officials at the end of a daCosta Cup match against McGrath High. 

Reports stated that players were involved in a confrontation with the referee after the game, and it was alleged one of them physically assaulted the official.

Maalick Whyte and Shamair Hutchinson have both been banned from participating in any ISSA-run competitions for one-year, effective September 26, 2024, while Tyrese Gowe, was hit with the three-match suspension.

The Linstead-based school was also placed on a three-year probation and faces the possibility of suspension should its players breach the disciplinary code of conduct within the period of probation.

This incident also led to the Jamaica Referees Association members taking strike action, resulting in the postponement of matches across both the Manning and Dacosta Cup competitions.

Jamaica Premier League outfit Dunbeholden FC, club of Tyrese Gowe, is one of the groups trying to find ways to prevent this from happening again and have acted through their partnership with Counsellors Corner.

“The Management of the Dunbeholden Football Club thought it prudent to get involved in finding solutions and ways to help student athletes to becoming future stars and role models for their peers," the club said in a statement on Friday.

“Dunbeholden Football Club does not condone such behaviors in any way and, while we sympathize with the Dinthill family, we, through our partnership with Counsellors Corner will be partnering with Dinthill Technical High School to offer counselling to the students involved and also other student athletes as well as the wider school community,” it continued.

The club also announced that they are in the process of partnering with other schools, churches and companies in St. Catherine to try and decrease incidents of this nature from happening again.

Saint Lucia and Haiti consolidated their leads atop their respective Concacaf Nations League groups following contrasting wins in their League B encounters on Friday.

Caniggia Elva’s late brace in the 76th and 90th propelled St Lucia to a 2-1 win over Saint Martin, who led for most of the contest courtesy of Axel Raga’s 30th-minute strike in their Group B clash at the Darren Sammy Ground.

The win moved Saint Lucia to maximum nine points from three games. Curacao and Grenada, who played out a goalless stalemate in the other group contest, sit second and third on four points each, while Saint Martin is still yet to get on the board.

Over in Group C, Haiti beat host Aruba 3-1 at Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadion.

Tyron Perret Gentil fired Aruba in front in the sixth minute, but Haiti responded through Frantzdy Pierrot (31st), and a brace from Duckens Nazon, who scored from the penalty spot in the 38th, followed by a 61st-minute close range effort.

The win saw Haiti move up to nine points from three games, three points ahead of Sint Maarten, who clipped Puerto Rico 3-2 in the other fixture.

Chovanie Amatkarijo (44th, 85th) and Imar Kort (49th) got the job done for Sint Maarten, while Rodolfo Sulia (2nd) and Alec Diaz (90+5) got Puerto Rico’s goals.

Puerto Rico remain on three points, with Aruba still pointless.

West Indies white-ball Head Coach Darren Sammy is brimming with confidence about his squad’s readiness as they prepare to kick start their tour of Sri Lanka with the first of three T20Is on Sunday.

Sammy’s confidence stems from the fact that most, if not all, of his players benefitted from the intensity and high-level competition of the recently-concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, which served as ideal preparation for them to deliver competitive performances in what will be a challenging tour in subcontinental conditions.

Following their three-match T20 series, which ends next Thursday, Sammy’s side will also engage their host in a three-match ODI series, scheduled to begin on October 20.

“The good thing is we are coming from our Caribbean Premier League, so most, if not all, the guys have been playing cricket, which is a plus when you have a series that comes so close after a tournament. So, us travelling here to Sri Lanka, the most important thing is the recovery of the guys,” Sammy shared shortly after arriving in Sri Lanka.

“So we are going to have a couple days to do that and a training session before our first game on Sunday. But looking from what transpired in the CPL, my guys are ready to take on a really strong Sri Lanka team,” he added.

Brandon King gathers his gears shortly after arrival. (Photo: Daily Mirror)

Sammy, who has always been vocal about fostering a winning culture within the team, emphasized that the squad’s depth would be a crucial factor in the upcoming series.

This, as the Caribbean side, West Indies, will be bolstered by the inclusion of fresh faces like all-rounders Terrence Hinds and Shamar Springer, both of whom have been rewarded for their strong domestic performances. Sammy expressed his excitement about seeing how these new talents integrate with the more experienced members of the team.

“If you notice, we are trying the depth of our squad. We've given some guys some opportunities with the World Cup coming up in less than 20 months, so with some of our senior players being unavailable, I'm looking to see how far, how great our depth could be. But, obviously, the main purpose is to win series,” Sammy declared.

“We've been doing well so far and giving guys opportunities to build and develop, so I'm really excited. Sri Lanka is a young team; since Jayasuriya took over, there's been a new energy and confidence in that team. So it will be a good series for us and a good tester for us to see where we are in the depth that we have in the Caribbean,” he reasoned.

Sammy also pointed out that the inclusion of players like Hinds and Springer reflects the broader strategy of building a versatile squad capable of adjusting to different match situations and conditions.

“Obviously the roles that they are going to be playing, especially with the ball in the backend, is a role that we are looking for and trying to find specific guys to do that. So this series, although it's short—only three games—gives them the opportunity to see and have a taste of the international flavour of cricket.

Members of the West Indies delegation. (Photo: Daily Mirror)

“So hopefully, when the opportunity comes, we could judge where they are. But I have full confidence from what I saw in the Caribbean Premier League—the skill set, the temperament they've shown already. That's why they are here with us, and I'm looking forward to what they could do on the international scene,” Sammy noted.

While the conditions will undoubtedly require adjustments, Sammy’s optimism stems from the team’s diverse skill set.

“The conditions, based on the data that Avenesh [Seetaram] has given us, are that the pitches are good for batting, and just looking at the recent Lanka Premier League, some of the places we played in Dambulla and Gandhi are places that produce high-scoring matches.

“So we will assess the conditions like we always do, and Avenesh will be spot on in giving us the data that we need to help us prepare, plan, and strategize, and I think we are more than ready,” he ended.

Patrons were treated to a dominant display from Barbados’ 61-member team at the 37^th annual Huntsman Senior Games at the Greater Zion Stadium on the campus of Utah Tech University.

The Caribbean nation compiled 77 medals across two sports, athletics and cycling, from Tuesday to Friday.

In athletics, the squad of 33 managed 74 medals over three days of competition, with the women leading the table on 14506, nearly doubling Utah’s 7834 in second place, and the men a commendable ninth with 2424 points. 

Ainsley Lovell alone had 13 of Barbados’ 40 gold medals, competing across multiple events in the women’s 70-74, 64+, and 70+ divisions. She won gold in the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, long jump, and standing long jump. 

Jennifer Swanston-Jones seized victory in the women’s 65-69 50m, 100m, 200m, javelin throw, long jump, shot put, and triple jump. She also had silver in high jump and standing long jump. 

Gloria Crookendale came out on top in the women’s 75-79 and 75+ 50m, the 75-79 100m, 70-79 200m, 75-79 200m, and 75-79 standing long jump. She was a bronze medallist in discus throw as well. 

Kathy Harper-Hall, who has won over 100 medals since Barbados first competed at these games 21 years ago, added to her tally with gold in the women’s 85-89 and 80+ categories, taking the 100m, 200m, and standing long jump titles.

Janita Austin will return home with four gold medals, in the women’s 70-74 and 70-79 discus throw, the 70-74 and 70+ high Jump, and silver in the shot put, javelin throw, long jump, and standing long jump. 

Wendy Barrow-Smith captured gold in the women’s 65-69 discus throw and standing long jump, silver in the shot put, silver in the 60-69 standing long jump, and silver in the 65-69 triple jump. 

On the men’s side, Willaby Bourne was among the standouts. In the 75-79 class, he won the 400m, got silver in the 200m, and helped his team to silver in 4×100m. Atherley Burrowes was victorious in the men’s 65-69 200m and 400m. 

The four-member cycling team enjoyed their moments of glory as well, with Alan Cadogan winning bronze in the hill climb and silver in the criterium, while Ronald Harding took bronze in the latter. 

Di'Shon Bernard, the 23-year-old Reggae Boyz defender, has praised the impact of new Jamaica head coach Steve McClaren, stating that the changes under McClaren are benefiting his development both at the international and club levels. Bernard, currently representing Jamaica in World Cup qualifiers, highlighted how McClaren’s progressive playing style aligns well with what his club manager, Danny Rohl, is implementing at Sheffield Wednesday.

Bernard explained how, in the past, the playing styles between his national team and Sheffield Wednesday had been starkly different. However, with McClaren's arrival in July, the shift toward a more possession-based, progressive game plan has made his transition between club and country smoother.

“We're doing a lot of build-up where before it was more long ball, going off seconds,” Bernard told The Yorkshire Post. “Now we're building up from the back, having the keeper take more responsibility on the ball. That's good for me because doing it here [at Sheffield Wednesday], it's easier to take it into the national team.”

McClaren’s approach is proving to be a positive influence for Bernard, who feels that this new playing style better suits Jamaica’s talent and allows for more technical football. “I think it's better football for us with the national team, with the players we have. With our quality, we just needed that guidance to play that football,” he added.

The former Manchester United player also spoke highly of McClaren’s coaching acumen, having worked briefly with him at Old Trafford. McClaren’s experience and leadership have already made a significant impact on the Reggae Boyz, despite only being in charge for two matches so far—a 0-0 draw with Cuba and a 2-1 win over Honduras.

“I worked with Steve for a little bit at Manchester United before I left; he's a quality coach and the staff he brought with him too. The standard of training's gone up, everyone's working hard because when there's a new manager you want to be in that team but it's a squad thing,” Bernard said.

As Jamaica looks to continue their World Cup qualifying campaign, Bernard’s development under both McClaren and Rohl is helping him grow into a more complete player. The alignment between Jamaica’s evolving style of play and Sheffield Wednesday’s tactical setup is allowing Bernard to perform confidently on both fronts, which bodes well for both his club and international future.

Reggae Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren expressed satisfaction with his team’s crucial 2-0 victory over Nicaragua in their Concacaf Nations League Group B top-of-the-table clash on Thursday night, but he was quick to emphasize that the job is far from finished.

With a pivotal match against Honduras looming at the National Stadium on Monday, McClaren knows his team still has work to do to secure their place at the top of the group and ensure a spot in the quarterfinals, as well as a spot in the next Concacaf Gold Cup.

A 32nd-minute own goal from Nicaragua’s Josué Quijano and Romario Williams’ 69th-minute strike—his fourth on the international stage—gifted the Boyz all three points as they consolidated their lead atop the standings on seven points. They are one point ahead of Honduras (six points), with Nicaragua (four points) still within touching distance of making the top two.

Cuba (three points), Trinidad and Tobago (two points), and French Guiana (one point) complete the group, with all three in danger of being relegated from League A depending on the results of their final group encounters on Monday.

Reflecting on the win in Nicaragua, McClaren praised his players for their resilience and determination in what was a high-stakes encounter in a hostile environment on a tough artificial surface at Nicaragua’s National Stadium.

 “We knew it was going to be a tough game. It was a great atmosphere against a difficult opponent, but we defended very well on a difficult surface, which we were not used to. I've got to credit the players for the mentality because everything's against you. I'm not saying the officials also, but we had our moments. So I'm pleased with the performance, the result, and where we are at the top of the league,” McClaren said.

“But we need to do a job on Monday; we want to continue the development and the identity which we have and also to keep the spirit high heading into another tough game on Monday against Honduras,” he added.

That said, McClaren was keen to highlight both the positives and areas that need improvement.

“We wanted to build a possession game, and we didn't quite have that. I think the surface was difficult, it took us a while to get used to that, particularly in the first half. In the second half, we were a lot more composed and controlled the game better. The difference is that in each penalty area we had quality, a couple of good moves, and we scored.

“Nicaragua had opportunities, but again, we blocked well, and Andre [Blake] made a fantastic save at the end because if that had gone in, then the last five minutes would have been very tense,” the Englishman explained.

McClaren also acknowledged the significant contributions from both seasoned campaigners and newer faces in the squad. One player he singled out was new recruit Mason Holgate, who recently committed to representing Jamaica through his grandparents’ heritage.

The England-born defender, who plays his club football for West Bromwich Albion, made his debut in the match after replacing Joel Latibeaudiere in the 75th minute, and looked solid in the backline.

"Mason [Holgate] coming into the team is a big boost for us," McClaren declared.

He continued: “It's something that we really push for as well, so I got to thank the JFF board, the president, and Roy Simpson, because I've been pestering them for the last few weeks to make sure that we bring in the likes of Mason.

“He brought that quality and experience, which we needed tonight (Thursday). Without Kasey Palmer and Michail Antonio, who got injured last night, we had to deal with that. So we needed Mason tonight, and he came on and did the job.”

With the match against Honduras just days away, McClaren is ensuring his team remains grounded.

“We know what’s at stake. Beating Nicaragua was an important step, but if we don’t follow that up with a good performance against Honduras, it won’t mean much. We have to finish the job,” he ended.

Cuba came from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with Trinidad and Tobago in Group B CONCACAF Nations League action on Thursday at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Sheldon Bateau opened the scoring in the 8’ to give Trinidad and Tobago the lead with a header at the far post. Triston Hodge delivered the cross from the left side of the pitch. 

Dairon Reyes came close to equalizing for Cuba in the 12’ with an attempt from outside the box that hit the woodwork.

A long-range right-footed drive from Maykel Reyes tied the match for the hosts in the 64’. 

The Soca Warriors reclaimed the lead in the 70’ through a powerful left-footed strike to the far post from Joevin Jones from the edge of the box. 

With the goal Jones took his tally to four and is Trinidad and Tobago’s all-time top scorer in the CNL.

Aniel Casanova equalized from close range inside the penalty box in the 75’ to secure the point for Cuba.

Cuba and T&T are fourth and fifth in the group with three and two points, respectively, and will meet again on Monday, this time at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Trinidad & Tobago.