Fowler: It’s a big honour

Captain Jhaniele Fowler, Jamaica’s best player at this year’s Netball World Cup in South Africa, was recently named in the team of the tournament.

Playing in her normal goal-shooting position, Fowler scored the highest number of goals in the tournament and led Jamaica to a bronze medal after beating former champions New Zealand in the third-place playoff.

The team of the tournament includes four players from champions Australia - wing attack Liz Watson, centre Jamie Lee Price, wing defence Ash Brazil and goalkeeper Courtney Bruce. Beaten finalists England have two players in goal attack Helen Housey and goal defence Francesca Williams.

Speaking from her home in Perth, Australia yesterday the 34-year-old Fowler was overjoyed with her latest world recognition.

“Definitely, I feel proud to be named among some of the best players in the world. I put in the hard work and it has surely paid off. It is a great feeling and this has been reward for the hard work I have put in and I feel blessed,” she said.

The Sunshine Girls were among the favourites to go all the way, but Fowler is grateful for the team’s third-place finish.

“Getting bronze was not what we had hoped for. We did enough for a medal, but we fell short in the semi-finals as things did not go our way, but the team deserved something and we left with a medal,” Fowler said.

With the next tournament set for Australia in 2027, Fowler who has competed at three World tournaments was unsure about the next Netball World Cup.

“Four years is a long way to go. I want to take it one year at a time as it is good to give back, but for now I can’t say yes, but once I am around it is a possibility,” she said.

Fowler had high praises for her current teammates. “I must say that I had some excellent players around me, definitely one of the best squads in years. We were like sisters as we gelled well and we fed off each other’s energy.

“The future is bright, but with several of the current players unlikely to be around in four years time the young players will have to put in a lot of work and be dedicated,” she stated.

Asked what has been her most memorable achievement to date since her national debut in 2010, Fowler pointed to last year’s Commonwealth Games.

“I must say that beating Australia in the semi-finals at last year’s Commonwealth Games was my most cherished moment. Winning that semi-final and reaching the final was like we had won gold,” she said.