Fowler hoping to make squad, leave mark on Aussie series

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

EVEN though the squad is yet to be picked, Jamaica's newest shooting sensation, Jhanelle Fowler, is hoping to leave her mark on the Sunshine Girls' three-Test netball series against the world number-one ranked Australians later this month.

Fowler, who is competing with fellow goal shooter Romelda Aiken for a spot in the starting line-up of the Connie Francis-coached team, put in a good showing against the Australians when the teams last met Down Under recently.

"I think I have a good chance of begin selected for this series because the coaching staff knows my potential against the international players," said Fowler in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

"I played against the Australians at the Commonwealth Games in India and, personally, I thought I did well, and so I am just looking to continue on this note once I am selected for this series," Fowler said.

The 6' 5'' Fowler, a past student of St James High in Montego Bay, has been playing netball for the past 10 years and made her debut for the senior Jamaica team last August against England on home soil.

Inspirational role

She also played an inspirational role in helping Waulgrovians 'A' to win the Jamaica National Building Society Open League last year.

This three-match series, which has been dubbed the 'Supreme Ventures Sunshine Series', will see the first Test match being played on January 12, followed by the second two days later.

The final match of the series will be played on January 16 and Fowler says she holds no fear for her opponents.

"They [coaching staff] know that I am a very confident player who is not intimated by any player on the court," she said, adding that she is working around the clock to enhance her game.

"I have been working very hard in training and out of training to improve on my shooting skills, and also my movements inside the circle," she noted.

However, Fowler said that if she is not selected for series, she would be disappointed, even while her main aim is to play in the World Netball Championships, which will be held in Singapore later this year.

"I would feel very sad," she noted, about missing the cut. "But I would just have to move on and work even harder to gain a place on the World Championships team."