NICOLE AIKEN PINNOCK

Date of Birth: December 11, 1985

Height: 6ft – 2 in

Position – Goalkeeper, Goal Defence

Debut: June, 200 5 vs. England

Caps: 73

World Youth Netball Championships: 2005

Netball World Cup/Championships: 2007, 2011

Commonwealth Games: 2006, 2010,

2014

Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2009-2010,

2014 (Caps 19)

AFNA Championships: 2008

Professional Team & Club: Clarendon Gaters

Occupation: Teacher

High School: Clarendon College

With her wealth of international experience and passion for netball, it came as no surprise that Nicole was named captain of the 2014 Commonwealth Games team. After debuting in 2005, she was selected for the Commonwealth Games teams in 2006 & 2010 and won the Bronze Medal at the 2007 World Netball Championships. In 2007, Pinnock received a four-year scholarship to play basketball with Lamar University in Texas. However, in 2008, she chose to give up the scholarship to return to her first college, G C Foster as well as to the sport she really loved, netball. Nicole also captained the Sunshine Girls to the 2014 Fast5 World Series after winning the Silver Medal in 2009, the first year of the competition (called FastNet) and in 2010 (3rd place).

Nicole is a skilled defender and natural leader- two strengths that contributed significantly to the Sunshine Girls winning the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. Aside from bringing home the bronze medal, her Games experience was highlighted by meeting HRH Queen Elizabeth and carrying the Jamaican flag at the closing ceremony.

Nicole is the older sister to teammate Romelda Aiken, teaches at GC Foster College and is also doing her MS in Physical Education & Sports.

PHOTO: NICOLE

CAPTION – Nicole Aiken Pinnock (Captain)

NICOLE DIXON

Date of Birth: February 3, 1995

Height: 5ft- 6in

Position: Centre, Wing Attack

Debut: January 2015 vs England

Caps: 2

Fast5: 2014

Fast5 Caps: 5

Professional Team & Club: Manchester Spurs

Occupation: Student, MICO University College

High School: Holmwood Technical

Nicole’s selection to the team for the 2014 Fast5 World Series was her first trip overseas as a Sunshine Girl. She has been waiting in the wings since being named as a reserve to the 2014 Commonwealth Games Team and earned her first cap in the Test series vs England in January, 2015.

At 20 years old, Nicole has much to prove as she did not come through the national youth squads but rather honed her netball skills playing at Holmwood Technical High School. She was invited to try out for the 2014 long squad and has impressed the selectors who gave her the opportunity to make her international debut vs Barbados in a friendly series in June 2014.

Nicole is currently a first-year student at Mico College and played Goal Attack for the Manchester Spurs in the 2014 Berger Elite League.

PHOTO: DIXON

CAPTION – Nicole Dixon

STACIAN FACEY

Date of Birth: August 9, 1993

Height: 5ft – 11in

Position: Goal Defence, Goal Keeper

Debut: January, 2014 vs New Zealand

Caps: 11

World Youth Netball Championships: 2013 Commonwealth Games: 2014 Fast5: 2014

Professional Team & Club: Kingston Hummingbirds

Occupation: Student, GC Foster

High School: Muschett High School

One of the young stars from the Under 21 Bronze Medal team of the 2013 World Youth Championships (WYNC) and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

As a Kingston Hummingbird, she was named MVP of the inaugural 2014 Berger Elite League when she did an outstanding job defending in the circle.

Stacian’s athleticism and speed makes her a natural selection to the 2014 Fast5 team, her first time to this competition.

Being a Sunshine Girl is not without sacrifices as she depends on her supportive family to care for her young son Kejron, while she is away on national duties. Stacian is a full-time student at GC Foster College.

PHOTO: STACIAN

CAPTION – Stacian Facey

SHANICE BECKFORD

Date of Birth: April 16, 1995

Height: 5ft – 8 in

Position: Goal Attack, Wing Attack

Debut: April, 2013 vs England

Caps: 14

World Youth Netball Championships: 2013 Commonwealth Games: 2014 Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2013

Professional Team & Club: St Ann Orchids

Occupation: Student, University of Technology, (UTech)

High School: Camperdown & The Queen’s School

At age 20, Shanice is the baby of the Sunshine Girls squad. She’s quiet and a bit shy, but don’t let that fool you. When Shanice steps on the court, she is fearless! As a Goal Attack, she works fluidly with tall shooters and her ball handling skills are excellent. Shanice’s gutsy play has earned her the nick name, the ‘Mighty Midget’.

Shanice was named Player of the 2014 Commonwealth Games tournament by her teammates and coaches. Called to the senior team in early 2013, Shanice had an incredible year winning a Bronze Medal as part of the Under 21 team at the World Youth Netball Championships (WYNC) and the third place team at the 2013 Fast5 World Series.

A first year student at the University of Technology, Shanice is a graduate of The Queen’s School. However, she did most of her netball court time at Camperdown High School and is a product of the Waulgrovian system.

In the Berger Elite League, she plays goal attack for the St Ann Orchids.

PHOTO: SHANICE

CAPTION – Shanice Beckford

SASHER GAYE HENRY

Date of Birth: November 9, 1979

Height: 5ft – 7 in

Position: Wing Defence, Wing Attack

Debut: November, 1996 vs England

Caps: 67

World Youth Netball Championships: 1996, 2000 Netball World Cup/Championships: 2007, 2011 Commonwealth Games: 2010, 2014 Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2009, 2010 AFNA Championships: 1997

Professional Team & Club: St James Sharpes

Occupation: Teacher

High School: St Hugh’s High School

Sasher is one of the more senior players and was first selected as a Sunshine Girl in 1996 at age 16.

She’s an integral playmaker on the court, who moves easily from Wing Attack to Wing Defence.

She’s represented Jamaica at the 2007 and 2011 World Netball Cup, 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and Fastnet in 2009 and 2010 and has two bronze and a silver medal to show for her time as a Sunshine Girl.

Sasher-Gaye took a break in 2011 and returned to the squad in 2013, renewed and revitalised to make a definitive statement on her netball career.

With her ‘go-to’ personality, she is adept at juggling more than one ball as a proud mom, teacher at Mona High School and a part time coach at the University of Technology (UTech) and St Hugh’s High School.

PHOTO: SASHER

CAPTION – Sasher Gaye Henry

ROMELDA AIKEN

Date of Birth: November 19, 1988

Height: 6ft- 5in

Position: Goal Shooter, Goal Keeper

Debut: November, 2005 vs Australia

Caps: 67

World Youth Netball Championships: 2005, 2009 Netball World Cup/Championships: 2007, 2011 Commonwealth Games: 2010, 2014 Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2009, 2013, 2014 Professional Team & Club: Queensland Firebirds (ANZ Championship)

Occupation: Professional Netball Athlete

High School: Central High School

After seven years playing for the Mission Queensland Firebirds in the ANZ Championships in Australia, Romelda’s professional resume is long and impressive. She’s the first to reach 3,500 as well as 4,000 goals and has consistently performed at the top of the league being named the MVP twice and the Firebirds Players’ Player award multiple times. Her team has reached the ANZ Grand Finals two years in a row in 2013 and 2014 after winning the Championship in 2011.

A Sunshine Girl since 2005, Romelda played in the 2007 & 2011 Netball World Cup, 2010 & 2014 Commonwealth Games and Fast5 Netball World Series in 2009 and 2013. She was co-captain of the 2013 Fast5 & 2014 England tour.

Although Romelda is a Goal Shooter, she’s no stranger to being a defender and played both ends during the Commonwealth Games tournament. When asked who was the player of the Commonwealth Games, Australia Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said, “The player of the tournament for me was Romelda Aiken as she bravely played out of position and then brought it home in the bronze medal match in goal shooter.”

Romelda is younger sister to Sunshine Girl teammate Nicole Aiken Pinnock.

PHOTO: ROMELDA

CAPTION – Romelda Aiken

PAULA THOMPSON

Date of Birth: November 17, 1984

Height: 5ft – 10in

Position: Centre, Wing Defence

Debut: September, 2007 vs England

Caps: 60

Netball World Cup/Championships: 2007, 2011 Commonwealth Games: 2010, 2014 Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2009, 2010, 2013

Professional Team & Club: St. James Sharpes

Occupation: Teacher

High School: Edwin Allen Comprehensive

Named vice-captain of the 2014 Commonwealth Games team, Paula is characterized by her strong work ethic and discipline. A specialist centre court player who attacks every pass, Paula’s depth of experience includes 2007 and 2011 World Netball Cup, 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games and Fastnet in 2009 and 2010.

After taking a break in 2011, she returned to play on the 2013 Fast5 Netball World Series team that placed 3rd. A PhysEd teacher at St Andrews High School and a Waulgrovian, she played on the St James Sharpes team in the 2014 Berger Elite League.

Paula has a bronze medal from the 2007 World Netball Cup, a silver from the 2009 Fastnet and now adds the bronze from the 2014 Commonwealth Games to her collection.

PHOTO: PAULA

CAPTION – Paula Thompson

ANNA-KAY GRIFFITHS

Date of Birth: July 07, 1987

Height: 5ft – 6in

Position: Goal Attack, Goal Shooter

Debut: August 2010 vs Australia

Caps: 39

Netball World Cup/Championships: 2011 Commonwealth Games: 2010 Fast5 (formerly FastNet): 2011 and 2012, 2014

Fast5 Caps: 20

Professional Team & Club: St Catherine Racers

Occupation: Marketing Representative

High School: Denbigh High School

Quiet and reserved, Anna-Kay Griffiths returned to the Sunshine Girls squad after taking a two-year break from international netball. Her pull-back from the national team was primarily due to family and career obligations with a well-timed plan to return for the 2015 Netball World Cup.

After debuting in 2010 at the Commonwealth Games, Anna-Kay went on to play in the 2011 World Championships and Fast5 in 2011 and 2012. She was drafted by the St Catherine Racers for the inaugural 2014 Berger Elite League and based on her performance at Goal Attack, was invited by Netball Jamaica to rejoin the senior squad.

Anna-Kay was among Jamaica’s standout players in an exciting 1-1 draw against Australia in January, 2011. She followed that up with an exceptional performance in a three-Test match against arch rivals England when Jamaica won the series 2-0. Anna-Kay returned to the squad in 2014 and was selected to the 2014 Fast5 team and helped Jamaica to a 2-1 series win over England in 2015.

PHOTO: ANNA KAY

CAPTION – Anna – Kay Griffiths

JHANIELE FOWLER-REID

Date of Birth: July 21, 1989

Height: 6ft – 6in

Position: Goal Shooter

Debut: September, 2010 vs England Caps: 42

Netball World Cup/Championships: 2011 Commonwealth Games: 2010, 2014

Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2010 to 2013

AFNA Championships: 2012

Professional Team & Club: Southern Steel

Occupation: Professional Netball Athlete

High School: St James High School

Jhaniele finished her second year playing for Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship League in New Zealand after a record-setting rookie year in 2013 when she smashed records for the most goals scored in a game (65, achieved three times), and most goals scored in a season (666).

As the tallest professional netball player, Jhaniele is a 90% high accuracy shooter. She was the 2013 MVP, Best New Talent and the 2013 & 2014 All-Star Shooter of the ANZ Championship.

First capped in 2010, Jhaniele was on the 2010 Commonwealth Games, 2011 World Netball Championships and the 2010 to 2013 Fast5 teams.

She started 2014 as a new bride and has a three-year-old daughter, Drehanna.

PHOTO: JJHANIELE

CAPTION – Jhaniele Fowler Reid

KADIE-ANN DEHANEY

Date of Birth: September 4, 1996

Height: 6ft – 3in

Position: Goal Keeper, Goal Shooter

Debut: June 2015 vs. Barbados

Caps: 0

Professional Team & Club: Clarendon Gaters

Occupation: Student

High School: St Hugh’s High School

Kadie-Ann is the quintessential new-kid-on-the-block. She’s tall and talented – both in netball and basketball!

She shoots and defends, strengths that come from her basketball background. Known as ‘Tall Girl’ or just Kadie, she was the MVP of the 2015 Berger Elite Grand Finals when her Clarendon Gaters swept the St James Sharpes 2-0 for the championship.

Jill McIntosh, Technical Director, when asked about Kadie-Ann’s surprise selection to the Netball World Cup team, said “She is good enough to be included. She has done everything right and has really done well.”

Kadie started playing netball at age 13 and was selected for Jamaica’s Under-16 team that toured England in 2012 and swept the English side 3-0 in Birmingham. She was key to St Hugh’s winning the ISSA All-Island Basketball Championships three years in a row and was named Best Blocker two years in su in 2014 and 2015.

She loves the intensity and pace of netball and every time she steps on the court, her goal is to “be the best that I can be”. If asked which does she prefer to play offence or defence? You’ll get an assertive, “Defence!”

Recent graduate of the Junior Umpire programme, Kadie is the true definition of a netball all-rounder.

A coach’s dream recruit, she heads to the Netball World Cup slated as a defender and shooter.

PHOTO: DEHANEY

CAPTION – Kadie – Ann Dehaney

VANGELEE WILLIAMS

Date of Birth: May 26, 1992

Height: 5ft – 10in

Position: Wing Defence, Goal Defence

Debut: June, 2012 vs South Africa

Caps: 27

World Youth Netball Championships: 2013 Commonwealth Games: 2014 Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2011 to 2014, (Caps 27) AFNA Championships: 2012

Professional Team & Club: Manchester Spurs

Occupation: Student, Mico University

High School: Holmwood Technical

Used as a utility player between centre court and defence, Vangelee hasn’t missed a cap since her Fast5 selection in 2011. She was captain of the Bronze Medal Under-21 Team and nicknamed the ‘deflection queen’ for her performance during the tournament. Vangelee was also one of four Jamaicans named on the 10 new world netball stars to emerge at the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships (WYNC).

Vangelee, known as ‘Changa’, was named Player of the Series for the 2015 SVL Sunshine Series vs England for her outstanding performance as a defender. Her never-say-die resilience and well-timed interceptions created havoc for England’s offence and swung the momentum back to the home side.

Vangelee has participated in all Fast5 World Series since 2011 and is an experienced young player with 27 caps.

The past year has been full of accolades of Vangelee. She was named 2014 Female Athlete of the Year at Mico University College where she studies Physical Education as well as the local INTERCOL Athlete of the Year. Manchester is her parish where she attended Holmwood Technical, a well-known sports power house that has kept a virtual lock on the rural netball titles.

PHOTO: VANGELEE

CAPTION – Vangelee WIlliams

KHADIJAH WILLIAMS

Date of Birth: December 29, 1994

Height: 5ft- 5in

Position: Centre, Wing Attack

Debut: April, 2013 vs England

Caps: 14

World Youth Netball Championships: 2013 Commonwealth Games: 2014 Fast 5 (formerly FastNet): 2013, 2014

Professional Team & Club: St Catherine Racers

Occupation: Student, University of Technology (UTech)

High School: The Queen’s School

Just 5ft-5in tall, Khadijah is netball’s version of the Pocket Rocket and attack is her game.

Named one of the ‘Ten new world netball stars to emerge’ at the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships (WYNC) when Jamaica’s Under 21 team won the Bronze Medal, she was described as a “pocket midcourt dynamo and great to watch in full flight.” Height, or lack of, is of no consequence due to Khadijah’s ball handling and movement on the court.

Khadijah got her first cap in 2013 and she has been named to every Sunshine Girls team since, including the third place Fast5 World Series team and the 2014 Bronze Medal team to the Commonwealth Games. A recent grad of the netball power house, The Queen’s School, she entered the University of Technology (UTech) in September 2014.

PHOTO: KADIJAH

CAPTION – Kadijah Williams