Tiffany Langley (left) and Zaudi Green (second left) share a photo opportunity with physiotherapist Offneil Lamont and teammates Shadine Bartley (second right) and Kestina Sturridge.
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
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Jamaica Classic Schools Gymnastics Championships set to showcase rising talent
Following the successful staging of the Carifta Gymnastics Championships, the Jamaica Gymnastics Federation (JGF) is set to launch the highly anticipated Jamaica Classic Schools Championships tomorrow. The event will feature over 470 gymnasts from 40 schools across the island, a significant increase from last year’s participation of approximately 250 athletes.
The championships, scheduled for December 7-11, 2024, will take place at the National Training Center on 1 Slipe Road in Kingston, running daily from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The competition promises to highlight the exceptional talent and dedication of Jamaica’s young gymnasts.
This year’s event will also serve as a platform to select the best performers for an all-star school team, set to compete internationally in 2025 in Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, and Barbados.
The competition will include routines on the bars, vault, and floor, giving athletes the chance to demonstrate their strength, skill, and artistry.
"We are incredibly proud of the growth of this event and the increasing number of participants," said Nicole Grant, President of the Jamaica Gymnastics Federation. "The dedication of the athletes, coaches, and schools is truly inspiring, and we look forward to witnessing the remarkable performances that will unfold during the championships."
Grant also emphasized the role of the event in elevating the sport locally and internationally. "This competition is about more than winning medals; it’s about fostering a love for gymnastics, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation of Jamaican athletes. With the support of families, schools, and communities, we are confident that Jamaica’s gymnasts will continue to shine on the regional and international stage."
Fans and supporters are encouraged to attend the championships and cheer on the gymnasts as they compete for top honours and the chance to represent Jamaica on the international stage.
Holmwood Technical completes ISSA rural area Netball double; St. Catherine, Wolmer’s Girls win urban area titles
Defending all-island champions Holmwood Technical retained their ISSA rural area Under-19 netball title with a 38-30 victory over Denbigh High in Thursday's decider at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
The May Pen-based won the first quarter 9-8 before the defending champions rallied to lead 15-14 at the half and 37-24 at the end of the third quarter.
The victory for Holmwood completed the double on the day as their Under-16 team had earlier secured the crown with a 21-16 win in an all-Manchester affair over defending champions Manchester High in a repeat of last year's final.
In the urban area final, St Catherine High captured their third straight Under-19 title with a 32-24 win over The Queen's School. The St John's Road-based school led all quarters 11-3, 20-12 and 23-16.
Meanwhile, Wolmer's Girls took the Under-16 crown after beating St Hugh's 27-21 in their decider.
Manchester High defeated Glenmuir 46-44 to claim third place in the rural area Under-19 category while Mile Gully High claimed third in the Under-16 category with a 32-17 win over Titchfield.
In the urban area, Gaynstead High claimed third in both the Under-19 and Under-16 categories with wins over St. Catherine High and Camperdown High, respectively.
They beat St. Catherine 34-19 and Camperdown 37-23.
JAGA president Nicole Grant hails success of inaugural Carifta Gymnastics Champs
Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JAGA) president Nicole Grant continues to celebrate a monumental achievement following the success of the recently-concluded inaugural Carifta Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
Grant praised the event for its outstanding execution, regional impact, and the brilliant performances of the athletes over two vibrant days of competition at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
“I would rate the overall success of the Carifta Gymnastics Championships as outstanding. The fact that it was the first event of its kind in the region and that Jamaica successfully hosted it speaks volumes about the organization and teamwork involved,” Grant told SportsMax.TV.
The competition featured some of the best gymnasts from seven Caribbean nations, including hosts Jamaica, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
In a commanding display, Trinidad and Tobago topped the medal standings with a remarkable 163 medals, including 80 gold, 57 silver, and 26 bronze. Jamaica followed in second place with 101 medals—26 gold, 32 silver, and 43 bronze—while the Bahamas secured third with 22 medals—four gold, seven silver, and 11 bronze.
Meanwhile, Aruba took home 13 medals—five gold, one silver, and seven bronze—and Bermuda had eight medals.
Members of Trinidad and Tobago's dominant team.
Trinidad and Tobago dominated most of the levels governed by USA Gymnastics (USAG) rules and also performed credibly in the Pan American Gymnastics Union (PAGU) Hopes segment.
Jamaica had notable successes, finishing strongly in several categories, particularly in Levels 8 and 9, where they either bested or closely competed with the Twin Island Republic.
Grant highlighted the event’s significance in fostering regional camaraderie and advancing gymnastics in the Caribbean.
“With participation from seven countries and positive feedback from the presidents of each, it clearly showcased the talent and spirit of gymnastics across the region. This event not only highlighted Jamaica’s ability to host such a significant competition but also fostered camaraderie and healthy competition among the participating nations,” she added.
Reflecting on the performances, Grant-Brown was moved by the athletes’ dedication and the atmosphere they created.
USAG Level 1 was topped by Trinidad and Tobago ahead of Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. They also finished tops in Level 2 again, bettering Jamaica, Barbados, and the Bahamas, and in Level 3 ahead of the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Bermuda.
The Twin Island Republic also reigned in Levels 4 and 5, bettering Jamaica in both, while Bermuda was third in Level 4.
Barbados mined gold in Level 6, followed by the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, while the latter also secured Level 7 and Level 10. Jamaica won gold on bars in Level 7.
Trinidad Tobago also topped Level 8 ahead of Jamaica, before Jamaica flipped the script in Level 9, with the Bahamas taking third. However, Jamaica stood in the FIG Senior category.
In the PAGU Hopes category, Trinidad and Tobago bettered Jamaica in Level 1, it was the reverse in Level 2, while Jamaica had no competition in Level 3.
Officials from the various teams share a photo opportunity.
Aliyah Lawson, an Under-13 Level 8 representative; Milan Ennevor, who competed in Level 9 at the Under-18 category; Malkia Collins, an Under-11 Level 5 gymnast; and Karly Keoveunxay, who competes in the Under-13 Level 2 group in the PAGU category, were among Jamaica’s gold medallists. Mariah Gordon also won gold on bars in the PAGU Level 2 category and copped second place all-around.
“Over the two days, what stood out the most was the remarkable performances of all the gymnasts. Their dedication and commitment to excellence truly warmed my heart, as they put their best efforts forward and showcased their skills. The enthusiasm and sportsmanship displayed by the athletes were inspiring and created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the event,” Grant beamed.
For future hosts of the Championships, she emphasized the importance of early planning to not only build on but also to surpass the success of the inaugural staging.
“My advice for the next host would be to start their planning as early as possible. Early preparation is key to securing sponsors and ensuring a smooth event. Building strong relationships with potential sponsors can provide the necessary support to enhance the event's quality,” Grant shared.
“Additionally, they should focus on creating an engaging and inclusive environment for both participants and spectators, which can elevate the overall experience. Learning from the successes and challenges faced during this inaugural event will also be crucial in improving future championships,” she noted.
The event was supported by key sponsors, including the Jamaica Olympic Association, Ministry of Sports, and several corporate entities such as Mayberry Investments, Supreme Ventures, Logostitich, The Peachtree Centre, AS James and Associates, Tourism Enhancement Fund, CL Environmental Ltd, Jamaica Red Cross, and Sign Xpress, ensuring a seamless and memorable debut.
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