KEY POINTS:
The Jamaican netball side and Auckland have quite a bit in common.
On court, the performances of Jamaica, known as the Sunshine Girls, often reflect a typical Auckland day - beautiful and sunny one minute, wet and cold the next.
It is that inconsistency which has prevented Jamaica
from really challenging New Zealand and Australia for the world crown.
But under the guidance of new coach Connie Francis, and with a bit of help from former Australian coach Jill McIntosh, Jamaica are hoping those wayward patches are a thing of the past.
"That is where fitness comes in for us," Francis said. "It is not like we are not used to the pace."
Jamaica go into the world champs ranked third. Their side for this tournament is captained by Elaine Davies, who played a season for the Auckland Diamonds in the late 1990s, and contains a mix of the old and the new.
Included are overseas-based players Sharon Wiles, currently studying in Atlanta, Nicole Aiken, who is on a basketball scholarship in Texas and her sister towering young shooter Romelda Aiken who stands an impressive 1.96m.
An ongoing problem for the Jamaican side is that a number of their top players like Wiles play basketball which means they are often not available for international netball matches. Come world championships, Jamaica tend to turn up with a full-strength side, although they tend not to have spent a lot of time together.
"That is definitely one of our weaknesses," Francis said.
Francis represented Jamaica for 17 years, six of which she served as captain. She played in five world championships, including the last one in Jamaica and said the gruelling tournament doesn't allow for 'off days'.
"We can't afford to have an off day as a team, from the front court to the back court.
"We have to try to capitalise on our centre passes, that is very crucial to us.
"We know that we have capable shooters. Our shooters shoot in the high nineties [percentages] continuously so it is very important for us to get the ball to them. We need to take care of the ball."
However when asked to compare this Jamaican team to previous ones, Francis is not convinced this is one of the better ones.
"Previous players, I think, were tougher. They were physically and mentally tougher. One of the challenges of having so many youngsters in at one time is getting them physically and mentally tough. "
McIntosh has spent some time with the Jamaican team in the leadup to the champs.
"What Jill has taught us mostly is about our body control and being a unit. She has also introduced set plays to us. We have never really gone for set plays. I thought she was really good with some individual players, like [defender] Nichaela [Gibson], improving her. She taught her how to use her body well, about body balance and how to outsmart her opponents."
In the last year Jamaica have played New Zealand, Australia and England, losing to all three.
"New Zealand are the team I fear most," Francis said.
"It is always difficult as a player to beat them. They have proven over the years to be a nemesis for us.
"Certainly I am not scared of Australia. I certainly know my team can beat them. But I think the New Zealand team are a good bunch they have beaten us time and time again by twenty points plus. Australia never seems to do that regularly."
When asked if she was superstitious, Francis said no.
"I believe in God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. I believe what is to be must be and I cannot do anything about it.
"I am a young coach I set goals that I know we can achieve. I am very excited.
"It is better though being a player. Sometimes as a coach you are overwhelmed by what is happening. This is my biggest event I am looking forward to it," said Francis who is a mother of two and lives in the St Catherines.
When Jamaica visited New Zealand in July players struggled in the cooler climate.
" It was terrible," Francis said recalling the number of players that caught colds.
"I think they will be mentally focused for it this time. One thing is for sure it won't be that cold."
