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• Ready to shine: Zaudi Green, Tiffany Langley share expectations as Sunshine Girls brace for Fast5 challenge

  When Zaudi Green and Tiffany Langley boarded their flight bound for New Zealand on Friday, their hearts were filled with more than the anticipation of travel—they were carrying high expectations of a Sunshine Girls team, aiming to give a good account at the Fast5 Netball World Series and make Jamaica proud.

  Green and Langley are part of a young and relatively untested squad stepping onto one of netball’s most electrifying stages, but despite the inexperience, the pair exude a calm assurance that they’re ready for the task ahead. The opportunity for these players to make their mark opened up as the more experienced players from the Netball World Cup bronze medal-winning team prepare to lock horns with England in the four-match Vitality Horizon series.

  “The mood in the camp is very vibrant and filled with love and togetherness as our bond grows stronger each day as we head into the tournament. Our goal is to give a performance that will make Jamaicans proud,” Green, a defensive standout, told SportsMax.Tv.

  “We know that people might think our lack of experience puts us at a disadvantage, but we’ve trained hard and have all the faith in our abilities,” she added.

  

  This year's Fast5 series, like previous editions, promises to be fiercely competitive, bringing together six of the world’s top netballing nations—New Zealand, Australia, England, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda—in Christchurch for two days of action on November 9-10.

  Competing against established and formidable powerhouses, the Sunshine Girls task of getting on the podium will by no means be easy. Still, Green and Langley’s confidence is unshaken, driven by an eagerness to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish.

  “We’re coming with everything we’ve got,” declared Langley, a quick-footed centre, who brings speed and vision to the squad’s offensive game.

  “We’ve been pushing ourselves in every training session, knowing that each moment counts when you’re up against teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand. We know our capabilities, and now it’s just about executing when we’re out on that court,” she shared.

  Although Fast5 netball has a faster pace and modified scoring rules that often require strategic adjustments, both players believe the Sunshine Girls are ready to embrace the challenge.

  The Jamaican style—a blend of speed, agility, and flair—suits the tournament format, and Green and Langley believe they can make it work to their advantage.

  

  In fact, Head coach Dalton Hinds and his assistant Nardia Hanson, have emphasized teamwork, resilience, and adaptability as essential skills for the youthful team to succeed.

  “The coaches have really instilled confidence in us, so even with the challenges we face as a younger squad, we’re well-prepared to handle anything that comes our way. The last few days of training have been intense and productive as we worked on fine-tuning some key areas to ensure that we are ready for the task at hand,” Green stated.

  For Green, 25, the chance to represent her country on this international stage is a personal triumph and an opportunity to inspire young netballers back home.

  “I am hoping to perform well to make my mark as a new member of the squad. From a team perspective, it’s about making a statement and rising above expectations because we want the younger players to see that they, too, can reach the international stage if they work hard and believe in themselves,” the bubbly player noted.

  Meanwhile, Langley, 24, welcomed the dynamics of the Fast5 format, which will provide both a mental and physical test.

  “It’s a unique challenge, but we’re ready to adapt. We’ve done a lot of work to ensure we give a good account of ourselves, and we want to go home with heads held high, knowing we gave our best and represented our country with pride,” she ended.

  Squad: Shadine Bartley, Paula-Ann Burton, Simone Gordon, Zaudi Green, Tiffany Langley, Roxanna McLean, Amanda Pinkney, Kimone Shaw, Kestina Sturridge, Corneilia Walters

• Alfred grateful for continued recognition after Olympic success in Paris

  St. Lucian Olympic champion Julien Alfred is grateful to continue to receive recognition for her historic achievements at the Paris Olympics in August.

  On Wednesday, the 23-year-old took home the award of best female athlete of Paris 2024 at the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) Awards ceremony held in Cascais, Portugal.

  Alfred stormed to a historic 100m gold medal in Paris, the first Olympic medal in St. Lucia’s history.

  “It’s truly an amazing feeling getting the love and support. I was not expecting so many praises, tonight especially, but it’s an amazing feeling knowing that my sacrifices and hard work are being celebrated and I’m truly grateful for it,” Alfred said after receiving her award.

  She also spoke of her status as a role model for youngsters in St. Lucia and the importance of making them feel like nothing is impossible once you work towards it.

  “It’s truly inspiring. Growing up, I looked at Usain Bolt and Levern Spencer, one of my countrywomen, but to be able to be standing here inspiring the youth is something that I’ve always dreamt of and it makes me feel like all my hard work is paying off,” she said.

  “Now it’s time to continue to inspire the nation and the youth that no matter where you’re from, you can always work towards your dream,” she added.

  Another history maker, Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, took home the award for best male athlete at Paris 2024.

  The award for best male team went to Denmark Handball while the best female team went to Italy Volleyball.

  The best male team in individual sports award went to Japan Artistic Gymnastics while the female award went to Great Britain Track Cycling.

  Austria’s Lukas Mahr and Lara Vadlau took home the award for best mixed team while Chinese six-time Olympic Table Tennis champion Ma Long and New Zealand’s eight-time Olympic gold medallist in canoeing Lisa Carrington took home the male and female outstanding career awards, respectively.

• Koyana Horne resigns from SVG Football Federation Executive Council citing governance concerns

  In a bold move highlighting longstanding issues within the St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Football Federation, Koyana Horne has tendered her resignation from the Executive Council, citing concerns over governance and transparency.

  Horne, who was elected in March for a four-year term on the executive council, led by president Otashie Spring, said she wanted to serve based on the promise of good governance, transparency, accountability, and football development.

  As such, Horne expressed disappointment with the federation's approach to governance, noting a lack of both transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes. She added that her decision to resign with immediate effect reflects her commitment to personal integrity and to what she believes is in the best interest of SVG football.

  “Please note that I did not take up the mantle to serve without careful thought, nor am I giving up at this point without the same careful considerations. However, I will like to maintain my sanity, integrity, and reputation at the end of the day. So allow me to express my disappointment in not being able to honour the period for which I was elected, and why,” Horne said in her letter, a copy of which was obtained by SportsMax.Tv.

  “Too many questionable actions and decisions have not been sitting well with me. Though an elected member of the council, I feel ostracized from a lot of decision-making, and information sharing seems selective. As such, I don't think I am making or is allowed to make a real impact,” she added.

  Horne pointed out that she witnessed persistent issues that, in her view, have hindered the growth and development of football in the islands. The first of those issues, she said, surfaced when Spring sought outside counsel from Mr Venold Coombs, whom he desired to have attend executive meetings.

  She explained that though the president’s decision was met with rejection, he maintained that Coombs would serve as his personal advisor.

  “Now, while I have no personal problems with Mr Coombs, in my humble opinion, a relationship of the sort seems reckless until clarity is given by/from the relevant authority about his permitted level of involvement in the administration of football," said Horne, who was the Chairperson of Match Commissioner, venue coordinator, and
  field accreditation committee.

  She continued: “Then there was segregation within the Council, the setting up of an executive within the executive, labelling it as an Emergency Committee, as opposed to simply having emergency meetings. Some council decisions were made without an invitation for all council members to part-take. My objections to this were futile and are made to seem conscientious with the addition of a fifth council member; even that in itself is another issue.

  “The misrepresentation of the discussions held and agreements made at meetings is written as Council Minutes. Statements without context and paddings of unheard discussions comprise these legal documents, not to mention proclamations passed as decisions made.”

  That said, Horne pointed to a lack of transparency and inefficient communication from the federation's hierarchy, leaving council members oblivious to the organization’s true financial standing, among other things.

  “One may expect council members to know the financial status of the organization, but secrecy seems to be the order of the real powers that be. To date, only one monthly financial report has been shared with the entire executive council, yet extraordinary meetings are called to make decisions with great financial implications,” she argued.

  “Communication is the icing on top of the cake. Internally, there seems to be a rationing of information on a 'need to know' basis. In attempts to question things so I could have clarity and understanding, too many of the things asked were left without answers or given partial responses. Information is received after the fact or from alternative sources (thank you to the many grapevines out there). The lack of trust is felt, but it goes both ways,” Horne said, adding that she will continue to lend her support and knowledge when and where possible.