Jamaica's Paula Thompson - file

National senior player and Sunshine Girls vice-captain Paula Thompson is relishing the opportunity of leading the centre attack at this month's Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 29-year-old Thompson, who plays centre or wing attack, has been a mainstay in the team since 2010. The experienced player is expected to play a pivotal role at the Commonwealth Games for the Jamaicans, in the absence of Nadine Bryan, who has since left the sport.

inexperienced pair

The Sunshine Girls midcourt comprises Sasher-Gaye Henry, who was a part of Jamaica's team, which finished fourth in the last World Netball Championships, in 2011, along with the inexperienced pair of Vangelee Williams and Kadijah Williams.

"I have a very important role to play in maintaining the discipline in centre court, whenever we are in possession of the ball, so that we can get it into the safe hands of our shooters," said Thompson yesterday.

"Our centre-court players are ready to deliver for us because they have been working really hard in training and they have been maintaining a very high standard of play," he said.

"This will be Khadijah's and Vangelee's first Commonwealth Games ..., and I expect them to do extremely well because they are fearless and ready for the challenge," Thompson said.

"Sasher-Gaye Henry is also a very experienced player and a lot will also be expected of her at this Commonwealth Games."

The Sunshine Girls, who are ranked fourth in the world, finished in the very same position at the last tournament that was held in Delhi, India, in 2010.

Thompson added that the Sunshine Girls, whose aim is to win a medal at the tournament, have been working very hard in training to achieve this goal.

mentally ready

"We have been working hard in training and the girls are physically and mentally ready and it is just for us to go out and execute all that we have been working on in training," said Thompson.

"It will not be easy going up against the top teams, but if we play to our coaches instructions and be disciplined, then we will definitely get good results at the Commonwealth Games," she said.

Continuing, Thompson said: "The team is gelling at the right time, and everybody is focused on the task ahead and we are all committed to giving of our best at the championships. The Sunshine Girls departed the island yesterday.