The National Baking Company has pledged its support for the Sunshine Girls yet again by joining a chorus of voices calling for additional funding for the team. 

The Sunshine Girls and Netball Jamaica launched the ‘Road to Cape Town’ campaign to drum up additional support for their World Cup 2023 dreams and a number of stakeholders were on board to rally behind them and amplify their call. 

Speaking at the campaign launch on Friday, April 21 in the Blue Mountain Suite at the Summit, National Baking Company Legal Council, Lauri-Ann Samuels said, “These ladies have been working hard for years, and when we heard there was a need for our involvement, we did not hesitate to show our national pride by supporting in a tangible way.”  

The team, which has been recognized as the most competitive and the highest-ranked national team in Jamaica was given the gift of a JMD $10 million sponsorship towards this effort from the National Baking Company in January this year. 

But despite that and support from other corporate companies, Netball Jamaica representatives shared that the team will need an additional JMD $30 million if they are to participate in the World Cup in July this year.

“The onus is on us, as a people, [and] as corporate entities in Jamaica to make a substantial contribution that will ensure that the girls can focus on netball solely, and not on off-court matters. Now is a time of action. The Sunshine Girls are en-route to the World Cup and we all need to get on board,” Samuels added. 

Funding for the team is distributed amongst their medical, training, transport and other needs. 

Meanwhile, the Sunshine Girls have managed to galvanise some supporters including the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, the Hon Olivia Grange who at the event committed an additional JMD $10 million to the cause. 

Netball Jamaica President Tricia Robinson expressed gratitude for the current roster of sponsors saying, “Thank you so much for your very significant contribution. It continues to allow us to nurture our players and ensure that Netball remains a staple in the diet of sports. Thank you very much for coming on board and we’re looking forward to future partnerships.”

The Sports Development Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Independence Park Ltd, Berrylium, Seprod, J. Wray and Nephew, Stewarts Automotive, Budget Rentals and Cars, SportsMax, New Horizon and the Summit are among the sponsors who called on the nation to support and fund the Sunshine Girls.