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• A ray of sunshine: Caribbean players light up Round six of Suncorp Super Netball League

  The Suncorp Super Netball league has no shortage of international superstars, but the clash between the West Coast Fever and Adelaide Thunderbirds well and truly showcased the Jamaican excellence the competition hosts.

  With six Jamaican Sunshine Girls split evenly between the two teams, the battle was fierce and full of flair, as it eventually ended 57-56 in favour of the Fever.

  Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard is no easybeat, and with the likes of Shanice Beckford serving her the ball on a silver platter, the Fever had no issue with scoring.

  However, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson would not let it all go the Fever’s way, picking off deflections left, right and centre.

  At the other end, Romelda Aiken-George and Kadie-Ann Dehaney went head-to-head in another enormous battle, which well and truly highlighted the impressive agility and elevation of the Jamaican superstars.

  All close friends off the court, the six players united after the match for a brilliant Jamaican team moment, sharing a dance for the remaining crowd.

  

  Shimona Jok (left) was one of many high-performing Jamaicans this week.

  Elsewhere, Jamaican Shimona Jok won the player of the match award for her impressive 50-goal game in the Maverick’s 69-62 win against the Firebirds, while another Jamaican Jodi-Ann Ward worked in overdrive in the Sydney derby. However, her GIANTS team went down 52-76 to New South Wales Swift, led by Trinidad and Tobago’s Samantha Wallace-Joseph.

  After another week of intense battles, it comes as no surprise that Fowler-Nembhard remains atop the Nissan Net Points leaderboard with 690.5 points to her name, with Sterling-Humphrey (539.5 points) fourth on that list.

  With 355 goals to her name from 363 attempts, Fowler-Nembhard has scored over 100 goals more than Donnell Wallam (253 goals from 297 attempts), who sits second on both the goals and attempts leaderboard, while Aiken-George (214 goals from 245 attempts) occupies fourth on the attempts chart and fifth on the goals side.

  

  Trinidad and Tobago's Samantha Wallace-Joseph (right) did some damage for NSW Swifts.

  On the flip side, Aiken-George (30) leads the offensive rebound stats, with Fowler-Nembhard (16) in fifth. Fever’s Fran Williams (13) head the defensive rebound standing.

  Sterling-Humphrey leads the pack for deflections with 43, while Wilson (32 deflections) is in fourth position, but both Jamaicans are locked on 20 apiece in first and second on the intercept leaderboard.

  Beckford (124) sit fourth for centre pass receives, as Liz Watson (155) heads that chart, along with the goal assists chart where she has 154.

  Meanwhile, Helen Housby continues to reign supreme on the Suncorp Super Shot with 39 to her name for the season from 55 attempts, ahead of Sophie Dwyer (31 from 48).

• JustBet signs three dynamic athletes as brand ambassadors ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics

  With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, JustBet has announced a significant partnership with three prominent Jamaican athletes as part of its latest campaign. The renowned sports brand, under Supreme Ventures Limited, is thrilled to welcome Reggae Boyz captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake, Olympian Stacy-Ann Williams, and motorsports sensation Fraser McConnell into its fold.

  Scheduled for July 26 to August 11 in Paris, the upcoming Olympic Games serve as the backdrop for this exciting collaboration, marking a pivotal moment for JustBet as it reinvigorates its brand identity.

  Kamal Powell, Head of Marketing at Supreme Ventures Limited, highlighted the strategic decision behind this partnership.

  “We recently refreshed the JustBet brand and have just launched our new advertising campaign to reflect the energy of the brand. It was important to us to align with a diverse group of athletes who all represent excellence in sports to be part of the JustBet story," Powell remarked.

  “The inclusion of accomplished athletes like Andre, Stacy Ann and Fraser in our new TVC underscores our commitment to showcasing the multifaceted nature of athleticism and entertainment while celebrating Jamaican sporting excellence. We are proud to partner with these amazing Jamaican athletes as we continue to elevate the JustBet brand.”

  

  He emphasized the significance of each ambassador to JustBet's mission, noting, "Andre Blake, revered as the backbone of Jamaica's football team, joins as a symbol of leadership and resilience. Stacy Ann Williams, a formidable presence on the track, epitomizes the physical and mental fortitude it takes to be among the best in sports. Fraser McConnell, known for his fearless approach to motorsports, perfectly embodies the thrill and excitement that define JustBet's ethos. We are truly thrilled to welcome them aboard," Powell said.

  In addition to their roles in the new TV campaign, these athletes will also contribute to broader community initiatives. Blake expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, "Supreme Ventures has long been a supporter of sports in Jamaica, including football. I'm excited to not only be part of this new ad campaign but also to support the Andre Blake Foundation."

  Through this partnership, JustBet aims to inspire fans across Jamaica to embrace the excitement of sports and entertainment while fostering unity and camaraderie nationwide. As the Olympic Games draw near, the collaboration with Andre Blake, Stacy-Ann Williams, and Fraser McConnell underscores JustBet's commitment to celebrating Jamaican sporting excellence and enhancing its brand presence in the local community.

   

   

• A blessing: “Cousin” Asher-Smith thrilled to finally compete in front of Jamaican crowd

  Jamaican track & field fans have earned a reputation as some of the most passionate and supportive people you will ever come across and, for British sprint superstar Dina Asher-Smith, seeing it up close and personal at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational on May 11 was a riveting experience.

  Asher-Smith, a proud member of the Jamaican diaspora herself through her father Winston, ran her second-fastest time of the young season, 22.59, to take top spot in the Women’s 200m at the inaugural edition of the meet held at the National Stadium in Kingston.

  The 28-year-old, in a post-race interview, said that, regardless of the result, she felt “blessed” to finally compete in Jamaica.

  “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do forever and ever. I am a part of the Jamaican diaspora around the world,” she said before pointing out that her parents flew in from London to see her compete.

  “I’m just so proud to have come here and, however today would’ve gone, it’s just a blessing to come here and race in Jamaica,” she added.

  The 2019 World 200m champion, in another interview after her race with The Inside Lane, expounded on her experience competing in Jamaica.

  “I’m just so blessed to be in this country and blessed that they support me on that level,” she said.

  “I don’t think I can quite articulate what it means to come to another country and they want you to do well and they’re so happy that you’re here. I think, as an athlete, we all want the medals, we all want the titles, we all want the records but at the same time, it means a lot that people want to see you do well,” she added.

  The British record holder in both the 100m and 200m said the support from fans even extended to off the track, mentioning that Jamaican guests at the hotel she stayed at often referred to her as “cousin” based on her Jamaican heritage.

  “It’s been amazing. I’ve always known that the Jamaican fans are so supportive but being here and seeing it up close like when you’re in the hotel and people also staying there are like ‘cousin, cousin!’ It means so much because when you’ve got your actual roots celebrating you and they like you for who you are, I can’t even describe the feeling. It’s so amazing.”