Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls received a significant financial lift as Best Dressed Chicken has committed $16 million to the national netball programme.

The three-year sponsorship, set to run until 2027, comes as the team gears up for the Margaret Beckford Series against South Africa and their long-term journey to the Netball World Cup.

Netball Jamaica president Tricia Robinson welcomed the sponsorship, which includes direct support for the upcoming series, as a testament to Best Dressed Chicken’s commitment to empowering women and promoting excellence in sports.

The Margaret Beckford Series, named in honour of the trailblazing Jamaican netball pioneer, will see the third-ranked Sunshine Girls face fifth-ranked South Africa on January 19, 22, and 25 in what is expected to be an entertaining series that celebrates the enduring spirit of excellence in the sport.

“It is with immense gratitude and excitement that I stand before you today to express our heartfelt thanks to Best Dressed Chicken for once again joining us as a valued sponsor and partner of Netball Jamaica and the Sunshine Girls,” Robinson said during a brief press conference at the Liguanea Club on Thursday.

(From left) Karen Baugh, Avadaugn Sinclair, Tricia Robinson, and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey during the contract signing. (Photos: Marlon Reid)

“This series is more than a set of matches; it is a celebration of excellence, resilience, and the enduring legacy of a pioneer who paved the way for the development of netball in our country. Your sponsorship takes us beyond this series, fueling our journey all the way to the Netball World Cup. It is this kind of commitment that allows us to represent Jamaica with pride and distinction on the world stage and dream and even aim higher,” she added.

Avadaugn Sinclair, Best Dressed Chicken’s regional marketing manager, highlighted the importance of empowering women and investing in the future of the sport as she underscored the company’s long-standing support for Netball Jamaica.

“Picture a young girl in Jamaica, netball in hand, holding a dream to rise high and wear the black, marina, and gold with pride. Today, Best Dressed Chicken is proud to invest in that,” Sinclair said.

“This sponsorship is a promise to fuel their journey and help them soar to new heights. At Best Dressed Chicken, we believe in empowering women. Our Sunshine Girls are warriors, showcasing unmatched passion and skills, and this sponsorship is a promise to fuel their journey and help them soar to new heights because at Best Dressed Chicken, we believe in empowering women,” she noted.

Sunshine Girls pose with their trophy after the Horizon series win over England recently.

Sinclair highlighted the legacy of Jamaican netball legends such as Connie Francis, Elaine Davis, and Simone Forbes, who laid the platform for current stalwarts Shanice Beckford, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Latanya Wilson, and Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, among others.

“This is a start to the partnership that we're going to have. So to our Sunshine Girls, this is your time. We're with you every step of the way. And to every young girl watching, keep dreaming, keep practicing—your moment is coming. Let’s make history together in 2027,” Sinclair stated.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Girls captain Sterling-Humphrey expressed gratitude on behalf of her team.

“For me as a young athlete when I was growing up, all I knew was Best Dressed Chicken. So thank you so much for coming on board with Sunshine Girls... $16 million is a lot for us and will go a long way in our push to the World Cup,” she said.