Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

National senior representative Vanessa Walker is still basking in the glory of making her first senior overseas trip with the Sunshine Girls.Walker, who plays at wing attack or wing defence, says representing her country at the highest level is a dream come true for her.

"I have always wanted to represent my country at the highest level in netball and to make my family and friends proud," said Walker.

She first represented the senior team at the last Caribbean Championships in St Vincent and the Grenadines. She was also a part of the Sunshine Girls squad that won a home tri-nation series against South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago last year.

However, despite her success thus far, the 18-year-old admits that she is still working to improve her game.

"I think I did well in the series but I still have a lot of things that I need to improve on," said Walker, who was introduced to the sport at age nine by her mother, Jascent Walker.

Walker added that she enjoyed the atmosphere in the United Kingdom, but was a bit nervous at times because of the high intensity of the matches. Jamaica were swept 3-0 by England in the series last month.

"I was a bit nervous because this was my first international series against one of the top three teams in the world," said Walker, a first-year student at Mico University College, where she is majoring in physical education and Social Studies.

The 5' 9'' Walker was a member of Jamaica's Under-16 team, which won the Caribbean championships in 2006 in Trinidad and Tobago. She was also a member of Jamaica's Under-19 basketball team.

Annette Daley, assistant coach of the Sunshine Girls, describes Walker as a versatile player and well-mannered person.

"She is a hard worker and a good player; she is always on time for training," said Daley.

"Vanessa also has good all-round ability because she can play more than one position for us, either goal attack or wing attack," said Daley.

Walker is one of five players from the Under-21 team, now preparing for the World Youth Championships, which played against the English team.