Wilson: There is no pressure

Experienced Sunshine Girls defender Latanya Wilson says the Jamaican team is not feeling any pressure to repeat its historic silver medal performance at this month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The championships will be held from July 23 to August 2, with the Sunshine Girls hoping to build on their memorable campaign at the previous Games in Birmingham, England, where they captured their first-ever silver medal.

Wilson, who will be competing at her second Commonwealth Games, said the players are focused on executing their game plan rather than worrying about expectations.

“There is no pressure and we don’t look at pressure,” said Wilson. “Pressure is a privilege and even though we got the silver medal the last time, it was a privilege to be in that position. Inside this camp there is no pressure and so we are just doing the basics so that when we get out there on court, we are able to perform.”

However, the 25-year-old Wilson acknowledged that every team will be eager to get the better of the Sunshine Girls but she noted that the Jamaicans will be ready for whatever challenge comes their way.

“Every team will be coming at us but we are in a really good space and whichever team we get, maybe Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, England or New Zealand, we are going to go out there and give our best,” she said.

Wilson said the Sunshine Girls’ training camp has been progressing well, with the players concentrating on the fundamentals ahead of the tournament.

Wilson enters the championships on the back of another outstanding season in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League, where she, along with Sunshine Girls captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, helped the Adelaide Thunderbirds capture a third consecutive league title.

Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in world netball, Wilson is looking forward to another opportunity to represent Jamaica on the international stage.

“It is a new challenge and I am looking forward to an exciting challenge and being with the Jamaican team, you know it is quite different but I am definitely excited,” Wilson said.

She also shared that one of her main objectives is to help mentor the younger members of the squad going into the championships.

“I just want to make sure that I am more of a help to the younger ones and so it is not necessarily about me but how can I get the youngsters to be more involved in the game and helping the people around me. Also making sure that I am doing my gym and training hard and whatever comes.”

Reflecting on her successful club season with the Thunderbirds, Wilson credited teamwork and understanding her role for the team’s title-winning campaign.

“It was an amazing season because we connected out there on court and I knew my role and we were able to get the job done. It is such an honour to play in Australia and to be an inspiration to the younger generation back in Jamaica,” she said.