Shooter Fowler has eyes on top prize

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Having cemented her place as part of the Sunshine Girls team to this year's World Netball Championships (WNC) in Singapore, goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler said she is ready to stamp her class on netball's most prestigious tournament, to be held from July 3-10.

The 6ft 5in Fowler, who is regarded by many as one of Jamaica's most talented goal shooters of her generation, burst on to the netball scene last year with an impressive debut performance against England when she shot 19 goals from 21 attempts after coming off the bench in the second quarter of the match.

Since then, the 21-year-old Fowler, who is one of the youngest members of the Jamaican team, has not looked back. She was a member of the Sunshine Girls squad which finished fourth in the last Commonwealth Games held in October last year. Fowler also played an inspirational role in Jamaica's 2-1 series victory over third-ranked England in April.

She was clearly Jamaica's most outstanding performer of the series. This was acknowledged by England's head coach, Sue Hawkins, who felt that Fowler out-muscled her defenders inside the shooting circle.

going for the goal

"My personal goal at the World Championships is to come out as the top shooter because I believe that once I get out there on the court, I know that I can achieve this," Fowler said while adding that she has been working very hard in and out of training to improve her all-round game.

"I have been doing a little bit extra because I am training twice per day in the mornings and in the evenings, and I am also doing some extra work at home," said Fowler.

Fowler, who is an admirer of fellow goal shooter Romelda Aiken, said that she will be competing with her for a starting place on Jamaica's team and noted that it was a dream come true for her to be selected to represent Jamaica at the championships.

"It is an awesome feeling to be selected to represent my country at this level and I am looking forward to it," said Fowler, who has been playing the sport for the past 10 years.

Fowler has been preparing herself physically and mentally for the championship and therefore she is not bothered by the high expectations which have been placed on her by those in the netball circles.

"I don't think that there is any pressure on me because whatever pressure there is, it is spread right across the board and so I am not feeling any more than anybody else," she said. Fowler admits that she has been receiving a lot of support and guidance from veteran players on the team.

"The senior players don't treat me like a youngster. The team spirit is very high and everyone gets along well together," she said.

The Jamaicans are ranked fourth in the world, but Fowler believes that despite this, they can take home the gold medal.

"I think that we have the goods to win this championship because everybody is putting out a lot extra," said Fowler.

Fowler, a past student of St James High in Montego Bay, played a key role in helping Waulgrovians 'A' finish runners-up to champion, Jamalco in this year's Jamaica Netball Association Berger Paints Super Competition last week.