Netball Jamaica boss talks up Sunshine Girls’ chances in Horizon Series

NETBALL Jamaica (NJ) President Karen Baugh has promised entertainment galore as the Sunshine Girls look to tackle England’s Roses in the Horizon Series next month. The four-Test series was announced at a press conference held at S Hotel in New Kingston on October 13, 2026. The first two games are to be played in England on November 21 and 22 at the Copper Box Arena. The Sunshine Girls are set to welcome the Roses to Jamaica on December 5 and 6. “When Jamaica and England meet on a netball court you can expect intense competition, a bit of drama, excitement, and if Jamaica has anything to do with it, a little extra flair,” Baugh said. “...This is much more than just two netball matches... it is an international sporting event, a celebration of our Sunshine Girls, and an opportunity to showcase the best of Jamaica netball and Brand Jamaica. This is definitely a rivalry worth watching.” The Horizon Series — contested in honour of netball icons Molly Rhone of Jamaica and Jean Hornsby of England — began in 2024 with a classic. Baugh recalled her favourite match, one she ranks alongside the 2026 Commonwealth Games win over Australia. “That first match here against England, [in] the last second, we were leading by one and Shanice [Beckford] literally ran down the clock to prevent them from scoring again — and we won in the last second to tie the series. We went on to win the last game and won the series 2-1,” she said. That Jamaica team had trailed 1-0 after the England leg — drawing the first, losing the second — before coming home to win the series. In 2025 Hurricane Melissa forced the cancellation of the Jamaica leg, and England won the two matches played in England. “The trophy, our trophy, is currently in England so we have a question to settle in 2026: Will the Rhone Hornsby Trophy be coming home?” Baugh asked. In a historic first, Jamaica’s men’s team, The Suns, have been invited by England Thorns to play the curtain-raiser in London. “It is a great opportunity for the male players to showcase their talent, and we wish The Suns every success in what is promised to be an exciting contest,” Baugh said. Baugh said that for the home leg of the series, fans will get two matches for the price of one. England’s Roses Pathway team will tour Jamaica for a three-match series against the Jamaica Development Squad. The first match will be on December 3, with the other two serving as curtain-raisers on December 5 and 6. “You want to come really early. You want the place to be electric,” Baugh said. Baugh said that the series forms part of preparations for the 2027 World Cup in Australia and comes on the back of a stellar year. At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the Sunshine Girls won silver, stunning world number one Australia 46-45 in the semi-final before going down to New Zealand in the final. “That was a statement to the world that Jamaica is among the very best in world netball,” Baugh said.