Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Connie Francis, coach of Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, said she was impressed with the level of talent displayed at the two national trial matches put on by the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA).

The first trial was held on Saturday, August 16, at the Leila Robinson Courts at the National Stadium, while the second match was held last Saturday at the St James Cricket Club in Montego Bay.

"We had some really tall girls in Montego Bay who are really talented and whom I believe can fit into our national senior team because this is what we are looking for to rebuild our programme," Francis said.

Low turnout

Francis, however, pointed to the Olympics as the cause for a less-than-packed trials in the Corporate Area.

"I wasn't pleased with the turnout in Kingston because I think that we have a lot of talented players who did not turn up for the trials. I think this was due to the fact that this was the same morning of the men's 100-metre final, even though we had a television set there to watch it," she explained.

Despite the turnout, Francis says she still found a few good players in Kingston, but she was more impressed with the turnout and talent in Montego Bay. The next trial is set for Mandeville. However, a date is yet to be announced.

The Jamaica Netball Association will be hosting a tri-nation series against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa in November.

"We will be using this series to give some of our Under-21 players and other senior players valuable match exposure as part of the preparation for the World Youth Championships," she added.