LIVINGSTON SCOTT, STAR Writer

After more than a decade playing with Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, defender Kacey Evering seems to have hung up her international netball gear for good.

The tall player, who played her first World Championships as a senior in Kingston in 2003, said if she was given a recall to the national senior squad , she could not accept, because she does not feel as young as she once did. the squad is now preparing for the Netball World Cup to be held in Australia in August.

Evering first stepped away from national duties in 2007 because of injuries and personal issues with the local netball authorities.

She said she does not feel as young as she used to and does not want to rob the upcoming talent of their opportunity to get their international experience.

plaguing injuries

"I am getting older, I have a lot of injuries plaguing me and I want to spend more time with my family. You have the younger girls coming up, doing really well, I just want them to continue doing well," she said.

"If I go back now, they will not get that experience they need, and they need experience to play at the highest level."

The top-rated defender acknowledged that her experience could play an important role in the Jamaica's quest to win a world title, but insisted she no longer has the desire for that level of competition.

"I am trying to take it slow. I am playing pro ball to work on my weight so I don't get too big," she added.

Evering, who helped Jamaica to a bronze medal at last summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, admitted it took awhile to get into form this season.

The player who helped Clarendon Gaters to the final of this season's Berger Elite League, said her team demanded the best of her, and she has put her issues aside to focus on the team.

She wants to win her first pro league trophy.

"It's great to be in a final once more. this is my first final in the pro league, and we just want to ... (go) all the way," she said.