COACH of Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls Minneth Reynolds says her main aim is to have the 12 best players available for the Commonwealth Games slated for Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3.

She said it’s important to have strong team as Jamaica are seriously looking to take one of the medal positions.

“My main goal at the moment is to help the Sunshine Girls to do whatever it takes to play in the final at the Commonwealth Games, or at least a podium finish at the 2014 Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“I plan to make this happen by working closely with the technical director (Jill McIntosh) and the support staff, by planning and executing sessions that will focus on their mental approach, fitness level and technical skills,” Reynolds said.

The veteran coach, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job made available with the departure of Oberon Pitterson-Nattie, said she continuously reminds players of their roles as to what was taught in practice.

“On the court, if a player forgets what was taught in training, I would remind the player of her role and emphasise to the player what was practised and how important it is to use it in game situation,” she noted.

Reynolds, who attended the Glengoffe High School in St Catherine, shared how her passion for the sport was developed.

“Having played netball from high school and throughout my college years, I developed a passion for the sport and decided that I want to go into coaching to nurture young talents and I also see netball as a medium for holistic development,” Reynolds told the Jamaica Observer via e-mail recently.

She said the most influential figure in her life as a coach is the former national Under-16 coach, Joan Cargill.

“During my years as her assistant, she was not selfish with her knowledge and skill of the game; she was always sharing and motivating me to strive for excellence,” she ended.

Jamaica’s 12-member team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be selected next month from a large pool currently in training.

— Sha’keil Grant