Fowler positive despite Australia lockdown
Published:Thursday | March 26, 2020 | 12:26 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
With the Suncorp Super Netball season in Australia now postponed until June 30 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, national senior netball captain Jhaniele Fowler said she and her teammates are now anxious to return home.
Fowler, who is based in Perth, where she has been representing the West Cost Fever, is among six Jamaicans that were to compete in the league, which was scheduled to begin on May 2.
She told The Gleaner that three of the six Jamaicans are now living with her since the outbreak of the virus, and that they are desperate to be with their respective families. The trio are defenders Shamera Sterling, Kadie-Ann Dehaney and centre Jodi-Ann Ward.
Anxious wait
“Players who want to go home can, if there are flights to go home,” Fowler said. “I am just waiting it out because the other girls are with me, and they are spending the time with me until we hear what can be done.
“It is very frustrating for us that the league is not playing, and it is even more frustrating that we are so far away from our families, and borders to home are closed to us. Mentally, it is draining for us because it is not an ideal time to be away from home.”
Fowler, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the league last season, said despite uncertainty which now surrounds the league, she and her teammates have been doing what they can to ensure that they maintain their fitness.
“My team has brought equipment over to my house for me and the other Jamaican girls who are here,” she said. “We do strength and conditioning work, so we are still working out and maintaining our fitness.
“It gives us a bit of comfort knowing that we have each other to lean on in these difficult times, so it eases the stress for us.”Goal shooters Romelda Aiken and Shimona Nelson are the other Jamaicans who compete in the league.