Number one spot within reach - Forbes backs Sunshine Girls to claim top spot at Netball W’Cup after ranking boost

Former national senior captain Simone Forbes believes that the International Netball Federation (IFNA) world No. 1 ranking is now well within the reach of Jamaica's Sunshine Girls.

The Sunshine Girls achieved their highest-ever ranking after moving up to second place in the latest IFNA world rankings, which was announced yesterday.

It comes in the build-up to the Sunshine Girls' participation at the Netball World Cup tournament, which is scheduled to begin on July 12 in Liverpool, England.

Forbes, who is now a director on the Netball Jamaica board, told STAR Sports that she is not surprised by the Sunshine Girls' achievements in the world rankings because the Jamaicans have been a dominant force in netball over the years.

"No. 1 was always in our reach," said Forbes. "This bump in the rankings could not have come at a better time, just before the start of the Netball World Cup and it should give the ladies additional confidence in their abilities."

"For me, I have always maintained that Jamaica can be No. 1 and can win this World Championships," she said.

"I think that an improvement in the rankings doesn't mean that okay now we are able to get to No. 1 because of this move. No, we have always had the potential to be No. 1 and so the change in the rankings confirms that," Forbes said.

The Sunshine Girls finished fourth in the 2011 and 2015 World Championships, but Forbes pointed out that she is very confident that they can win the gold medal this time around.

"I believe that we can win the gold medal at this World Championships but the top teams in the world have improved and so it will not be a walkover for any of these teams," she said.

"I think that it is going to be very challenging, but I believe that Jamaica will be in the final on the last day and it is ours to lose, especially because of the talent pool that we have and the potential of these ladies," Forbes stated.

World champions Australia remain the top team in the world, while Commonwealth Games champions England are third, followed by New Zealand fourth and South Africa fifth.