The Sunshine Girls have established themselves as one of the most exciting teams on the international stage, inspiring generations of athletes with their athleticism, flair, and determination.
Behind the scenes, strong partnerships are what help elevate the game, and one of the most impactful collaborations in recent years has been between Netball Jamaica and Gilbert Netball. Gilbert, known globally as the leading name in netball equipment and apparel, shares Netball Jamaica’s vision of investing in grassroots development while ensuring players at the elite level are fully equipped to perform at their best.
This partnership has gone far beyond supplying balls and gear—it represents a commitment to the growth of netball across the Caribbean. From community programs to international competitions, the collaboration ensures that Jamaican athletes are supported every step of the way.
Spotlight on the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC)
The next chapter of this partnership will shine at the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC), where the best young netball talent from across the globe will come together to compete. For many of these athletes, the NWYC is the first step onto the international stage—a chance to showcase their skill, passion, and potential as future stars of the game.
We are proud to have been part of this journey, designing and supplying the official Netball Jamaica dresses for the NWYC. These dresses will be unveiled on court during the tournament, combining performance-driven technology with a sleek design that reflects Jamaica’s vibrant spirit.
Partnership through our eyes
Gilbert’s CEO Commercial, Richard Gray, recalls signing the first ball contract for Jamaica with Marva Bernard back in 2005. The official clothing supply deal followed 2 years later. Other teams followed and following valuable feedback at the 2011 World Cup in Singapore; Gilbert invested in a new netball collection to suit all body shapes.
Gilbert’s sponsorship of the Sunshine Girls’ is our longest running kit partnership - in any sport - and our relationship has only got stronger over the years. We are so proud that Gilbert have supplied balls and kit to the national teams continuously for the 20 years since.
As with any relationship, ours has not been without its hiccups – most notably when the team kit was impounded by customs prior to the 2023 World Cup in Cape Town and had to be collected by Gilbert (with a police escort) the day before the first game which tested everybody’s nerves to the limit! However, after 4 world cups we have all emerged stronger from the experience and looking forward to an exciting future and, in particular, our 5th Netball World Cup together in 2027 in Sydney .
Looking Ahead
As Jamaica’s young athletes step out onto the court at the NWYC, they carry with them the strength of a nation, the support of their fans, and the backing of world-class partners like Gilbert. The future of Jamaican netball is brighter than ever, and we’re excited to see these young stars shine on the global stage.
Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing highlights from the NWYC and showcasing the new dresses in action. This is only the beginning of an exciting new era for Jamaican netball.
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