Sunshine again ... Fowler-Reid happy to be back in national set-up

Following dismal performances from Jamaica's senior netball team on two recent overseas assignments, Netball Jamaica has called on the services of experienced goal-shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid to help them in their next tournament - a four-match series against England later this month.

The Sunshine Girls were swept 3-0 in a friendly series in New Zealand and finished fifth in the six-team Fast5 Netball World Series in Australia in what was the country's worst performance ever at the tournament.

Without Fowler-Reid and fellow world-rated player Romelda Aiken in the team, the Jamaicans were rather poor, especially in the Fast5 tournament, where they failed miserably in the shooting circle.

Both Aiken and Fowler-Reid, who ply their trade overseas, had come under fire from Netball Jamaica for not making themselves available for those tournaments.

However, Fowler-Reid, who is also a student at the Mico University College, where she is doing a bachelor's degree in guidance and counselling cleared the air recently about her absence and will be available for the upcoming England friendly.

Jamaica, which is ranked number four on the world list, is hoping to use the tournament to get back on track against their fierce rivals, who are ranked at number three.

Fowler-Reid, who will be attending her first training session with the national team this afternoon, is very excited to get back in the national set-up.

BEST PERFORMANCE

"I am very excited to be going back to the squad to train with them as part of the team going to England later this month. I am looking forward to helping to redeem some of what we have lost over the past few weeks with the games we have played in New Zealand and Australia, and I am hoping to give my best performance here," said Fowler-Reid.

Fowler-Reid also spoke about her reasons for missing the New Zealand and Fast5 assignments.

"In terms of not going to those tournaments, I had personal things to deal with, including school - making sure that everything was okay at school because I am out for a full semester, and I am thankful to the Mico University College because they understand what I am doing and they give me a lot of room to do what I love to do as well to get an education," she continued.

"In terms of shape, I am not yet fully where I want to be fitness-wise, but I am getting ready and I will be working on getting to a level where I think I will be okay on the court. My body is ready and my skill is always there, but fitness really plays an important role for being on the court for 60 minutes, and with a little more running and cardio, I will be ready," said Fowler-Reid who last season, had the best shooting average in the ANZ tournament while playing for the Southern Steel.