Jamaica's goal shooter Romelda Aiken (centre) catches the ball in the midst of two Australian defenders during their 2005 series at the National Indoor Sports Centre. The Jamaica Netball Association has planned a series against the Australians and New Zealand for October of this year. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

JAMAICA'S Sunshine Girls are set for a giant showdown with the world's top-two countries later this year.

Marva Bernard, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), said that her association will be staging a tri-nation series with world champions Australia and New Zealand in October.

The series is scheduled to be held at the National Indoor Sports Centre from October 17-21.

"We haven't played a series against these two teams since 2005 and I believe that this is certainly going to be a good test for us, especially playing at home," said Bernard in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

"We cannot be number one by playing against teams that are below us because to be the best we have to beat the best," she said.

Bernard added that she also wants to make sure that the Sunshine Girls play against the top teams in the world as often as they can, whenever the opportunity presents itself.

"I know that it is going to be very difficult to find sponsorships for this event, because of the downturn in the economy, but I have to give my girls the best option to improve their skills against the best," she said.

Bernard

Bernard noted that is it going to cost the JNA $6 million to host this series and they are currently seeking sponsorship for the event.

"Without the sponsorship to cover these expenses, the series could be in jeopardy.

"I am inviting all the sponsors to get on board and support the girls because the association needs the support financially to help the girls to maintain their position in the top in the world," Bernard said.

"I believe that people need to see the Sunshine Girls at home and we have to try and make sure that they are seen at home, so that we can keep generating the interest that we need for the association," she said.

The Jamaicans, who are ranked number four in the world, were outclassed 3-0 by number-three ranked England in an away series last month.

Despite this, Bernard said she is confident that they can bounce back.

"They played better as the series went on; I know that the conditions were not favourable to them, but this is what sports is all about because you are not going to get conditions that suit you all the time," she reasoned.