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• Mason Holgate delighted, ready to play part in Boyz World Cup qualification bid; set to debut against Honduras in Nations League

  After much contemplation and being torn between representing the Three Lions of England or donning the Jamaican colours, defender Mason Holgate has finally made his decision and it is the Reggae Boyz that will have his full allegiance moving forward.

  The 27-year-old, who qualifies to represent Jamaica through his grandparents, has officially committed his international future to the Caribbean nation, a choice that brought a wave of excitement to fans and team members alike.

  For Holgate, the decision was far from easy given his upbringing in England and years of competing in the English football system.

  In a previous interview, Holgate said he was open to representing Jamaica, while in another he expressed optimism about an England call-up, noting that "everybody wants to play for England. When you're a kid, that's the ultimate.”

  Yet, it is his Jamaican roots that eventually pulled at Holgate’s heartstrings, and he is now set to make his debut with the senior Reggae Boyz in their upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixture against Honduras at the National Stadium on Monday.

  Though he is with the squad in Nicaragua for their Group B top-of-the-table clash in League A, Holgate will sit out that contest as the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) awaits clearance from FIFA.

  

  Still, Holgate is brimming with excitement.

  “I am really excited to be part of the team, and I can't wait to get out there for my first game,” Holgate declared.

  “My grandparents on my dad’s side are Jamaican, and so much of who I am is connected to this place. There's obviously a lot to look forward to in this team, so I'm excited to be here.  Obviously, the boys made me feel quite welcome straight away, so, I've enjoyed the day or so that I've been here so far,” he added.

  Holgate’s path to international football has been a unique one. He started his career at Barnsley before making the move to Everton, where he spent several seasons honing his skills in the English Premier League (EPL).

  During that time, he earned caps for England at the youth level, featuring for the Under-20 and Under-21 teams. The senior call, however, never materialized, and that left him at a crossroads regarding his international future.

  The tipping point for Holgate came as he watched Jamaica’s gradual improvement in recent years, particularly where the make-up of the team is concerned in their push for World Cup qualification.

  Seeing the likes of former Everton teammate Demarai Gray, West Ham United’s Michail Antonio, Leicester City’s Bobby Reid, and others demonstrate their unflinching desire to bring success to Jamaica’s football made it clear to Holgate that he could play a pivotal role in helping the Reggae Boyz reach the next level.

  

  “I got on really well with Dimmy [Gray], and since we both left Everton, obviously he moved to Saudi Arabia, so I haven’t seen him for a year or so now. But we're good friends; we speak all the time, so I was really looking forward to seeing him, and when I got here and saw him, I was buzzing,” Holgate shared.

  “But, yeah, I've been in the Premier League and the Championship going on League One for 10 years, so quite a lot of the boys, I know from just playing against and stuff like that. So it's been quite easy for me to come in because I've played against and knew quite a lot of them before,” the West Bromwich Albion loanee stated.

  Holgate’s experience at the highest level of English football will undoubtedly be a boost to Jamaica’s defensive ranks, and his versatility across the backline makes him a valuable asset as Englishman Steve McClaren looks to fortify his squad with a 2026 FIFA World Cup appearance in mind.

  “I think it's just a very exciting time to be part of the team. Obviously, with the new manager who's done so much before in football, and also, if you look at the squad, it gets better and it seems to look stronger every camp. We all have the goal of going to the World Cup, and that's what I want to do, and that's why I am here, and I believe that I can help get us to that point,” Holgate ended.

• Jamaica names youthful squad for Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand

  Jamaica has selected a youthful squad to compete in the 2024 Fast5 Netball World Series, which will take place from November 9-10 at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. The team, led by a mix of emerging talent, is eager to make its mark in this high-intensity, fast-paced tournament format.

  The squad includes Tiffany Langley, Amanda Pinkney, Simone Gordon, Kimone Shaw, Cornelia Walters, Paula Ann Burton, Kestina Sturridge, Roxana McLean, Zaudie Green, and Shadene Bartley. These players will represent Jamaica in the two-day competition, where 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. Currently ranked fourth in the world, Jamaica will be looking to improve on their past performances and push for a podium finish.

  This young team represents the next generation of Jamaican netball talent, and although relatively inexperienced, they are determined to bring their flair and skill to the competition and make their country proud on the global stage.

  As the tournament approaches, fans of Jamaican netball will be eagerly awaiting the team's performance, hoping that this new-look squad can continue the nation’s strong tradition in Fast5 netball and perhaps bring home their first-ever title in the tournament.

   

   

• Jamaica to host New Zealand in Davis Cup Group II Playoffs from January 31-February 2

  Jamaica will host New Zealand in the Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs from January 31-February 2 next year at the Eric Bell National Tennis Centre in Kingston.

  The Jamaicans, who lost to Barbados in the World Group II Playoffs at home in February, have been given a lifeline in the form of an automatic promotion back to the Group II Playoffs.

  This is due to a recent restructuring of the Davis Cup competition giving a fourth qualifying spot to the Americas region.

  As a result of this, Jamaica, who were the highest ranked team who didn’t get promoted, earned the new slot.

  They will now host a New Zealand side led by world number 559 Kiranpal Pannu. Jamaica could be without the services of their top player, Blaise Bicknell, who is currently injured.