Connie Francis, head coach of Jamaica’s senior national netball team, says that with some of the Sunshine Girls World Cup squad doubling up to compete in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, it is critical to manage their playing time to avoid injuries.

The 24th staging of the the CAC Games will take place from Friday, June 23 to Saturday, July 8 in San Salvador, El Salvador. It will be the first time in CAC Games history that netball will be a part of the multi-sports event.

Francis stated that five of the 12 members chosen for the CAC Games will double up because they are currently on the roster for the Netball World Cup, and it is critical to closely observe these players.

The World Cup line-up includes shooter Rebekah Robinson; centre courts Crystal Plummer, Abigale Sutherland, and Adean Thomas; and defender Kimone Shaw, who are all a part of the squad going to the CAC Games.

“Well, we have a squad of 12 players, and it so happens that some of them will be doubling up and going into El Salvador. We have to be very careful how we manage their recoveries so they leave at the end of June and come back a week before we leave for South Africa,” Francis told the Jamaica Observer.

While Francis disliked the idea of players doubling up, she stressed the importance of having a well-balanced team to ensure competitiveness.

“One of our hopes is that we won’t have to double up for the tournament, which is a ranking tournament. Trinidad and Tobago, I believe, is operating at full capacity, as is Barbados. As a result, we want to ensure that the group includes some experienced players.

“When it comes to the selectors, they are not taking any chances, and so they are sending in some players who have been to Commonwealth tournaments and World Championships to kind of strengthen the team somewhat,” she said.

Francis stated that the players have settled down and are working well, but the coaching staff has always been concerned about the possibility of injuries.

“We have settled down and are working out hard, trying to manage injuries and having some of the players on the team that is going to El Salvador,” Francis said.

“So we have some of the girls doubling up on both squads, but with everything, they are doing their best as it is never easy. It’s daunting at times because you have to think about the health of all players because it is never easy. We are sending in an A team that will be coached by Nicole Aiken-Pinnock and Phylis Thompson,” the former player of the game said.

Full Squad:

Shooters – Shadine Bartley, Simone Gordon, Amanda Pinkney, and Rebekah Robinson

Centre court – Crystal Plummer, Abigale Sutherland, Adean Thomas, and Quannia Walker

Defenders – Theresa Beckford, Paula-Ann Burton, Abbeygail Linton, and Kimone Shaw