Standout performances see Alfred, Distin make latest Bowerman Women's Watch List

By Sports Desk March 05, 2023
Alfred (left) and Distin make latest Bowerman Women's Watch List Alfred (left) and Distin make latest Bowerman Women's Watch List

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

    GREEN...I’m just trying to take everything in, learn as much as I can, and play my role for the team.

    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 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.

  • Lifespan Spring Water throws support behind Pink Run Lifespan Spring Water throws support behind Pink Run

    There were 1208 new cases of Breast Cancer in Jamaica in 2020, in fact, it is estimated that 1 in 21 women will get the disease. It is the most common form of cancer in the island with an estimated 637 deaths.

    The Annual Pink Run for Breast Cancer Awareness, which took place on October 26th is designed to break the stigma around the disease and raise awareness while at the same time raising critical funds for organizations dedicated to fighting breast cancer and supporting individuals affected by it.

    Lifespan Spring Water recognizing the crucial nature of the event and the cause, immediately threw its support behind the run as hydration sponsor. “Knowing that cancer of the breast is the most common cancer among Jamaican women, we are taking a positive step to raise awareness and provide tangible support to our students who have taken on this life saving project,” said Nayana Williams CEO Lifespan.

    “Our vision is longevity for the Jamaican people, so doing our part to reduce this scourge is in keeping with who we are”, she added.

    The event kicked off at 6.45am on Saturday at the UWI Guild location where Lifespan erected water stations at the start/end and 2 spots along the way.

    “We are honoured to have Lifespan be a participating sponsor in this event to ensure that our participants remain hydrated and energized throughout the day. With Lifespan being a trusted provider of clean, natural spring water, we believe that your brand aligns perfectly with the health and wellness focus of the event,” commented Michael John External Affairs Chairperson UWI Guild.

    Emerging from the race as Male winners were Matthew Hutchinson (1st) Rolando Rednan (2nd) Jaheim Murdock (3rd).

    In the Female category, the winners were Paula Kay Clarke (1st) Colleen Scott (2nd) Tannice Anglin (3rd).

    The Pink Run forms part of the Pink-Tober series of events.

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