United Kingdom-based shooter Azara Wilmot said she is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make her senior debut for the Sunshine Girls at this month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The championships will be held from July 23 to August 2, with Jamaica aiming to improve on its historic silver-medal finish at the previous Games in Birmingham, England. Wilmot, who was born in the United Kingdom, qualifies to represent Jamaica through her grandmother. While this will be her first call-up to the senior national team, she is no stranger to the Jamaican programme, having represented the country at the World Under-21 Championships in Gibraltar last year. The 21-year-old, who plays at goal attack and goal shooter for the London Mavericks in England, said she is thrilled to have earned the opportunity to join the senior squad. “I am really excited, and this is a really good opportunity, and so I am just grateful to be here, to be honest,” said Wilmot. She added that the chance to train alongside some of the world’s best netball players was one of the main reasons she was eager to accept the invitation. “Honestly, it is because of the squad that they have, and I will be able to learn a lot from these ladies, and I was given the opportunity, so why not take it.” “I did a trial, and I also played on the under-21 team last year. I feel like we have an amazing squad, and for me, as a shooter and with Romelda [Aiken] there it is a big opportunity to learn from her because she is a great shooter, and I am just happy to be just walking in the footsteps behind her.” With Jamaica entering the tournament as one of the favourites following its silver-medal finish four years ago, Wilmot noted that the Sunshine Girls have what it takes to capture the country’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal. “I think we can come first. I don’t see another team out there that can beat us because I am confident in our team and the girls that we have that we will come back with the gold medal,” she said while describing herself as a composed player who prides herself on bringing calmness and control to the court. “I am a really calm player because I bring control and patience,” Wilmot stated. “Everyone is really excited because we are a tight group and everyone gets along with each other quite well, and the training sessions have been really good. The camp has been high-intensity training and really high energy as well.” Wilmot pointed out that the championships are a massive opportunity for her to showcase her ability on one of netball’s biggest stages. “I am playing for myself, but obviously, I know that I have fans out there. But this is my opportunity to show the rest of England what I can do and show them I am a good shooter and I deserved to be in the squad.” The Sunshine Girls are set to face Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago in their opening game on Saturday at 1 p.m.