Connie Francis (netball)

Connie Francis
Personal information
Bornc. 1968 (age 57–58)(Note 1)
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Netball career
Playing position(s): GA, GS
Years Club team(s) Apps
198x–20xx Waulgrovians
Years National team(s) Caps
1985–2003 Jamaica 120+
2022 Jamaica 0
Coaching career
Years Team(s)
2007–2011 Jamaica
2012–2015 Saint Lucia
2016 Jamaica Fast5
2016–2023 Mico University College
2017–2019 Manchester Spurs
2019–2023 Jamaica
Medal record
Representing  Jamaica
World Netball Championships
1991 Sydney Team
2003 Kingston Team
World Games
1993 The Hague Team

Connie Francis is a former Jamaica netball international and Jamaica national netball team head coach. As a player, she was a member of the Jamaica teams that were bronze medallists at the 1991 and 2003 World Netball Championships and 1993 World Games. Francis captained Jamaica at the 1995 and 1999 World Netball Championships. As head coach, Francis guided Jamaica to bronze medals at the 2007 World Netball Championships and 2023 Netball World Cup and to the silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Gleaner described her as "the most successful coach of the national senior team." In November 2024, ahead of the 2025 Netball Super League season, Birmingham Panthers appointed Francis as their Director of Netball.

Playing career

Waulgrovians

During her playing career, Francis played club netball for Waulgrovians.[2][3]

Jamaica

Between 1987 and 2003, Francis played for Jamaica at five World Netball Championships.[4][5] She was a member of the Jamaica teams that were bronze medallists at the 1991[6] and 2003 World Netball Championships.[7] She also won a bronze medal with Jamaica at the 1993 World Games.[8] Francis captained Jamaica, including at the 1995 and 1999 World Netball Championships.[9][10][11] She also represented Jamaica at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.[1] Ahead of the 2022 Taini Jamison Trophy Series against New Zealand, complications with passports and visas resulted in Francis, then aged 54 and serving as head coach, been named in the squad. Five Jamaica players named in the original squad were unable to travel. Francis eventually had to include herself, new mother Romelda Aiken-George and the retired Carla Borrego in their squad to make up the mandatory ten players required for a recognised international match.[12][13]

Tournaments Place
1987 World Netball Championships 5th
1991 World Netball Championships[6]
1993 World Games[8]
1995 World Netball Championships[9] 5th
1998 Commonwealth Games[1] 5th
1999 World Netball Championships[9][10] 4th
2003 World Netball Championships[7]
2022 Taini Jamison Trophy Series[12][13] 2nd

Coaching career

Jamaica

Between 2007 and 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023, Francis served as head coach of Jamaica. The Gleaner described her as "the most successful coach of the national senior team."[4][14] In between these two spells, she also coached Jamaica at the 2016 Fast5 Netball World Series.[15][16][17] The highlight of her first spell in charge was guiding Jamaica to the bronze medal at the 2007 World Netball Championships.[14][18] During her second spell in charge, she guided Jamaica to a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games[19][20][21] and a bronze medal at the 2023 Netball World Cup.[22][23][24][25]

Tournaments Place Team
2007 World Netball Championships[9][18][14]  Jamaica
2008 Netball Americas Championship[26] 1st
2009 World Netball Series[18][27] 2nd
2010 Taini Jamison Trophy Series[28] 2nd
2010 Commonwealth Games[29] 4th
2010 World Netball Series[30][31] 3rd
2014 Commonwealth Games[32][15] 12th  Saint Lucia
2016 Fast5 Netball World Series[15][16][17] 5th  Jamaica
2020 Netball Nations Cup[33][34][35] 2nd
2021 England Jamaica netball series[36][37] 2nd
2022 Commonwealth Games[19][20][21]
2022 Taini Jamison Trophy Series[12][13] 2nd
2023 England Jamaica netball series[38] 2nd
2023 Netball World Cup qualification – Americas[39][40][41] 1st
2023 Netball World Cup[22][23][24][25]

Saint Lucia

Between 2012 and 2015, Francis served as head coach of Saint Lucia, helping them qualify for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. This was their debut appearance in the tournament.[15][32][42]

Manchester Spurs

Between 2017 and 2019, Francis served as head coach of Manchester Spurs in the Berger Elite League. During this time, she guided Spurs to two finals and one league title. In 2018, they finished as runner-up to Kingston Hummingbirds. In 2019, Spurs finished as champions for the first time after beating defending champions, Kingston Hummingbirds, 71–65 in extra-time in the deciding game of the best of three series.[43][44][45][46][47]

Mico University College

Between 2016 and 2023, Francis served as head netball coach of Mico University College. During this time she guided Mico to several intercollegiate netball titles.[5][48][49][50]

Birmingham Panthers

In November 2024, ahead of the 2025 Netball Super League season, Birmingham Panthers appointed Francis as their Director of Netball.[51][52][53]

Honours

Coaching career

Jamaica
Manchester Spurs

Notes

  • ^1 A list of 1998 Commonwealth Games players and coaches gives Francis' birthday as 14 July 1963.[1] However, later reports suggest she was born between 1965 and 1969.[4][13][42]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Athletes' Profile: Netball". kl98.thecgf.com. 10 September 1998. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Connie Francis: Passionate about netball". jamaica-gleaner.com. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Connie Francis special honoree at CB/UWI 5K". jamaica-gleaner.com. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Connie Francis has been there and done it". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Trailblazer Francis seeks room for growth as netball coach". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Women Netball VIII World Championship 1991". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Women Netball XI World Championship 2003". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Women Netball World Games 1993 The Hague". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d "WNC Captains and Coaches from 1963". www.ournetballhistory.org.uk. September 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Women Netball X World Championship 1999". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  11. ^ "1998 England v Jamaica Wembley 10th July". www.ournetballhistory.org.uk. 10 July 1998. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b c "Coach and new mum to suit up for Jamaica against the Silver Ferns in Auckland". stuff.co.nz. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d "Jamaica coach Connie Francis, 54, comes out of retirement for New Zealand Tests". www.bbc.co.uk. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Over and out for coach Connie". jamaica-gleaner.com. 23 September 2023. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d "Talent search - Francis looking to develop promising players for Fast5 netball team". jamaica-gleaner.com. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  16. ^ a b "Francis to coach Sunshine Girls at Fast Five Series". radiojamaicanewsonline.com. 21 October 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  17. ^ a b "Sunshine Girls leave for Fast5 in Australia". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  18. ^ a b c "Connie Francis is new Sunshine Girls head coach". radiojamaicanewsonline.com. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  19. ^ a b "Commonwealth Games: Jamaica dominate New Zealand to reach first major final". www.skysports.com. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Sunshine Silver". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 8 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  21. ^ a b "Editorial – Hailing Connie for more than netball". jamaica-gleaner.com. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  22. ^ a b "Jamaica announces 15-Member Squad for the 2023 Vitality Netball World Cup". www.caribbeannationalweekly.com. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  23. ^ a b "Francis confident Jamaica will shine at Netball World Cup". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  24. ^ a b "Sunshine Girls brimming with confidence". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 23 July 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  25. ^ a b "Connie Francis mum on future". jamaica-star.com. 8 August 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  26. ^ "Victory was 'no easy feat' for Girls - Francis". jamaica-gleaner.com. 27 July 2008. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  27. ^ "Silver Ferns win World Series". www.express.co.uk. 12 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Netball: NZ cruise to comfortable win". www.nzherald.co.nz. 18 August 2010. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Team Lists – 2010 Commonwealth Games". netballscoop.com. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  30. ^ "Ja go for experience at FAST NET series". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  31. ^ "We were very unlucky". jamaica-gleaner.com. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  32. ^ a b "Leota shines in NZ Netballers big win over St Lucia". www.silverferns.co.nz. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  33. ^ "Francis proud of Jamaica's effort". www.skysports.com. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  34. ^ "New Zealand's Silver Ferns take Vitality Nations Cup title". www.skysports.com. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Vitality Nations Cup: Sunshine Girls show positive signs after tough year". www.skysports.com. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  36. ^ "Francis critical of umpiring". jamaica-gleaner.com. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  37. ^ "Francis Pleased with Sunshine Girls Win Over England Roses". www.caribbeannationalweekly.com. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  38. ^ "Fully charged!". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Netball Jamaica boss Robinson says Sunshine Girls will be going all out in World Cup qualifiers". Jamaica Olympic Association. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  40. ^ "Francis: I've seen growth and determination". jamaica-gleaner.com. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  41. ^ "Barbados join T&T, Jamaica at Netball World Cup". jamaica-gleaner.com. 23 October 2022. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  42. ^ a b "Connie for St Lucia". jamaica-gleaner.com. 23 March 2012. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  43. ^ "Ecstatic Francis enjoying Manchester Spurs impressive form". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  44. ^ "Spurs remain unbeaten in Elite Netball League". radiojamaicanewsonline.com. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  45. ^ "Anderson hails resilient Linton". jamaica-gleaner.com. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  46. ^ "Manchester Spurs dethrone Kingston Hummingbirds to win Berger Elite League". radiojamaicanewsonline.com. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  47. ^ "Manchester Spurs crowned BEL champs". jamaica-gleaner.com. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  48. ^ "Francis teams up with old pal Guy to take Mico netball forward". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  49. ^ "Mico capture treble again in inter-col netball". jamaica-gleaner.com. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  50. ^ "Another intercol netball title for Mico". jamaica-gleaner.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  51. ^ "Connie Francis appointed as Birmingham Panthers Director of Netball". www.birminghampanthers.com. 13 November 2024. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  52. ^ "Birmingham Panthers tap Connie Francis as director of netball for inaugural NSL season". www.caribbeannationalweekly.com. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  53. ^ "Connie Francis makes history: First Jamaican netball coach in England's Super League". www.jamaicaobserver.com. 14 November 2024. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
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