Minneth Reynolds

Robert Bailey, Star Writer

With less than four days to go before their departure for next month's Fast 5 Netball World Series in New Zealand, Minnette Reynolds, head coach of Jamaica's Sunshine Girls believes they will do well at the championships.

Reynolds said in an interview on Tuesday that despite the absence of top goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and centre court specialist Paula Thompson, she remains confident that the team will give a good account of themselves at the tournament, which will be held from November 8-9.

The Sunshine Girls finished fourth in last year's tournament, which was also held in New Zealand.

" We don't have the same team that went to the Commonwealth Games, but these girls are just as good and ready to participate and give of their best in the Fast 5 tournament for us," said Reynolds.

"They are pretty confident because they want to tell Jamaica that getting a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games was not a fluke, and so they want to take it a bit further," she said.

Despite the absence of Fowler, the Sunshine Girls attack will be led by the vastly experienced Romelda Aiken as well as last year's Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Thristina Harwood.

"The spirit is very high and the girls are really highly motivated and looking forward to participating in this Fast 5 tournament," Reynolds said.

"Romelda will be there, but we are not looking to any particular player because all 10 girls will be representing us well at the tournament."

Reynolds noted that their preparations leading into the tournament have somewhat been affected by the outbreak of the chikungunga virus.

"We have a few little worries in the camp, but we are working on it," she said. "At the moment, our manager has chick-v and one of the players (Stacian Facey) who is travelling with us also has the chick-v right now," Reynolds said.