Wilmot set for Sunshine Girls senior bow at Glasgow Commonwealth Games

United Kingdom-based netballer Azara Wilmot is looking ahead with keen anticipation to her first senior outing for the Sunshine Girls at this month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The competition runs from July 23 to August 2, and Jamaica hopes to better the landmark silver it secured at the last Games in Birmingham, England.

Although she was born in the United Kingdom, Wilmot is eligible for Jamaica through her grandmother. The call-up marks her first selection for the senior national side, yet she already has experience in the Jamaican system after turning out for the country at the World Under-21 Championships in Gibraltar last year.

Now 21, the London Mavericks forward operates at goal attack and goal shooter in England’s domestic league and said she is delighted to have forced her way into the senior group. “I am really excited, and this is a really good opportunity, and so I am just grateful to be here, to be honest,” said Wilmot.

She explained that training with some of the best players in the game weighed heavily in her decision to accept the invitation. “Honestly, it is because of the squad that they have, and I will be able to learn a lot from these ladies, and I was given the opportunity, so why not take it.”

“I did a trial, and I also played on the under-21 team last year. I feel like we have an amazing squad, and for me, as a shooter and with Romelda [Aiken] there it is a big opportunity to learn from her because she is a great shooter, and I am just happy to be just walking in the footsteps behind her.”

Jamaica arrives among the leading contenders after taking silver four years ago, and Wilmot believes the Sunshine Girls have the quality to claim the nation’s first Commonwealth Games gold. “I think we can come first. I don’t see another team out there that can beat us because I am confident in our team and the girls that we have that we will come back with the gold medal,” she said, painting herself as a steady presence who values composure and command on court.

“I am a really calm player because I bring control and patience,” Wilmot stated. “Everyone is really excited because we are a tight group and everyone gets along with each other quite well, and the training sessions have been really good. The camp has been high-intensity training and really high energy as well.”

For Wilmot, the Games offer a rare platform to display her shooting on netball’s global stage. “I am playing for myself, but obviously, I know that I have fans out there. But this is my opportunity to show the rest of England what I can do and show them I am a good shooter and I deserved to be in the squad.”

The Sunshine Girls open against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday at 1 p.m.