AIKEN’S BACK Henry delighted to have star shooter back in squad

Interim senior netball team coach Sasher-Gaye Henry said she is very delighted that goal shooter Romelda Aiken is back in the Jamaica team ahead of this year’s Quad Series and Commonwealth Games.

The 28-year-old Aiken has not played for the Sunshine Girls for almost two years. She was embroiled in a war of words with Netball Jamaica after the player failed to make herself available for the Sunshine Girls away series against New Zealand in September in 2016.

This led to the lanky player being overlooked by selectors for the Fast5 World Series in Melbourne, Australia, the following month.

However, Henry told STAR Sports that she is very happy that Aiken, regarded as one of the world’s best shooters, has rejoined the team and she is looking forward to working with her at both championships.

VERY EXPERIENCED

“I am quite excited because I know that Romelda is a good player and she is very experienced and she brings a lot to the table when she comes and play,” said Henry.

“It is good to have her back definitely for both series because she is a big plus us and she is also one of the best players in the world,” she said.

The Quad Series includes hosts New Zealand, Malawi and Fiji and will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from March 21-24, which is two weeks before the start of the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Australia from April 4-15.

Henry added that they will be using the Quad Series as part of their preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

“It is a pity that we have to play both series so close to each other, but it is right into the Commonwealth Games and the girls are going to be in tip top shape,” said Henry.

“I know that we will work hard in terms of getting them to gel in terms of passing into our shooters, so hopefully we can get it right going into the Commonwealth Games,” she said.