No pressure, says Wilson

Experienced Sunshine Girls defender Latanya Wilson says the Jamaican team is not feeling pressured to repeat its historic silver-medal performance at this month’s Commonwealth Games Championships 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 Commonwealth Games silver.
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 have gotten the silver medal the last time, it was a privilege to be in that position. I feel like inside this camp there is no pressure, and so are just doing the basics, and making sure that we are doing what we are supposed to do, 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 one over on the Sunshine Girls, but she noted that the Jamaicans are ready for whatever challenge come their way.
“Every team will be coming at us, but it is just us knowing that we are in a really good space and whichever team we get - it may be Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, England or New Zealand - we are going to go out there and give our best,” she said. 
The energy is high
Wilson said the Sunshine Girls’ training camp has been progressing well, with the players concentrating on the fundamentals ahead of the tournament.
“The camp is going fine, you know. Everybody is feeling good, the energy is high and we are just working on the basic stuff to ensure that when we get out there on court, we make sure that we get the big ones right.”
Wilson enters the championships on the back of another outstanding season in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League, where she and Sunshine Girls captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey helped the Adelaide Thunderbirds capture a third consecutive league title.
Wilson, who is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in world netball, noted that she is looking forward to another opportunity to represent Jamaica on the international stage.
“I am pretty excited. 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 I can 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 I will take it.”
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 and also in Australia as well.”