She was not on the court, but Pam Hall was a netball star at Lanzo's Place, Burlington Avenue, St Andrew, on Sunday evening as the single, Sunshine Girls, was officially presented to the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA).

Hall sings and plays multiple instruments on the song, done for Jamaica's senior netball team, known as the Sunshine Girls. Other musicians who contributed their talents to the project were drummer Sly Dunbar, keyboard players Charmaine Bowman and Lloyd Denton, and guitarist Gibby Morrison, with singers Nadine Sutherland, Christopher Martin, Pashon, Leiba Thomas and Heather Cummings among those giving voice to the Girls' prowess.

There is an accompanying video which includes members of the netball team.

Standards of excellence

Yvette Smith, first vice-president of the JNA, noted netball's standards of excellence on and off the court, in competition as well as administration.

"There is a lot of goodwill in Jamaica for netball and this evening is an example of the goodwill that is out there," Smith said. "Not until now has it been celebrated in song.

"She is not just an avid fan. She is a friend of netball," Smith said of Hall, pointing to her consistent support of the team. "We are really very, very pleased," Smith said.

Sutherland described Hall as someone who is committed to Jamaica and its development, as well as "a musical genius", recalling the recording session for Sunshine Girls as "rocking, groovy".

JNA President Marva Bernard went a bit into the history of Sunshine Girls, saying that Hall had approached the JNA in 2006/2007, a particularly hectic time for the association. In addition, there was another song for the Sunshine Girls but "the song didn't take off".

Then Hall came and said "I have a song for the Sunshine Girls".

"We did not have to go into our pocket to do anything. This woman is amazing," Bernard said. "We have this song on our website and it has become a part of us.

"You are a remarkable human being and I am glad it is our sport that has been the beneficiary of your talent. And you brought your friends," Bernard said.

Hall spoke about her intention to give Sunshine Girls strong promotion. "My ambition is to have something like this one day and present the Jamaica Netball Association with a big fat cheque," Hall said.

Labour of love

She noted the song "was a labour of love and an example of what we can achieve with unity".

She said her original intention was to "do a song to vibe up the girls and support them", then she thought that some money could be raised for the Sunshine Girls.

And before inviting everyone to look at the video, Hall said "Jamaica is such a lovely place. I love it."

Jamaica Netball Association President Marva Bernard (third left) accepts a copy of the single, 'Sunshine Girls', from singer Pam Hall, who spearheaded the project. Charmaine Bowman (left), Sly Dunbar (second left), Nadine Sutherland (third right) and Pashon contributed to the song for Jamaica's senior netball team, which is ranked fourth in the world. - Photo by Mel Cooke