West Coast gets Sunshine Girls Fever

MELBOURNE, Australia, (CMC):

FORMER CHAMPIONS West Coast Fever have rounded out their Super Netball League (SNL) squad with the signing of three of Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls for next season.

Sunshine Girls captain and ace goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler put pen to paper, signing a two-year extension with the Perth-based club, while defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney has signed up for the same period. Goal attack Shanice Beckford signed a one-year deal and will arrive in the New Year.

Fowler, 34, has been a member of the Fever for the past six seasons and couldn’t be more excited for what’s next with the addition of her national teammates.

“The addition of Shanice Beckford and Kadie-Ann Dehaney is going to be massive for Fever, and I can’t wait for the Green Army to see them in action,” the five-time SNL Most Valuable Player said in an article on the club’s website.

“I have such a great connection with both Shanice and Kadie-Ann. To have three Sunshine Girls at Fever is honestly a dream come true.

“Round one cannot come quick enough. I’m superexcited to be back on board for 2024, and I can’t wait to play in front of the Green Army at RAC Arena again.”

Dehaney, 27, completed a move from the Sunshine Coast Lightning, where she has been playing for the past two seasons, and she will combine with Ethiopia-born Australia international Sunday Aryang and England international Fran Williams to create a formidable defence for the Fever.

“I’m superexcited and grateful for this opportunity to head over to the West and play for West Coast Fever,” she said.

“I’m also looking forward to playing with my Jamaican teammates, Jhaniele and Shanice, on the SNL stage in front of the Green Army at RAC Arena.”

Beckford, 28, was a member of the Girls teams that won bronze at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the Netball World Cup in August this year in South Africa, and formerly played in the Netball Super League in England.

“It’s always been my dream to play netball in the best league in the world, so to become part of such a wonderful netball family at West Coast Fever and to play in front of the Green Army will be truly an honour for me,” she said.

“I know there is so much that I can learn in this new environment while at the same time, I know that I have a lot to bring to the table, including a ‘never-say-die’ winning attitude and a good work ethic.”

Fever head coach Dan Ryan hailed the addition of the two Jamaicans and is looking forward to working with them next season.

He also believes the leadership abilities of Fowler, the most dominant shooter in the league, will help the duo’s transition.

The signings bring to five the number of Jamaicans that have signed up for the next season of the SNL following the protracted pay dispute that almost ripped apart the sport in Australia.

Out-of-contract Jamaican defender Jodi-Ann Ward found a new home, trading the black and white tunic of the decommissioned Collingwood Magpies for the orange and charcoal of the Sydney-based Giants for the next three seasons, while champions Adelaide Thunderbirds have locked in defender Latanya Wilson on a three-year deal that will secure her at the club until the end of the 2026 season.

Media reports also indicate that long-standing goal shooter Romelda Aiken-George is set to switch from the New South Wales Swifts to the Thunderbirds, where she would join compatriots Wilson and Shamera Sterling.