Fowler honoured by All Stars selection

Jamaica senior netball team captain Jhaniele Fowler said she is honoured to be invited to play in the Australian Suncorp Super Netball All Star charity match against the national team on March 1, with all proceedings from the game aiding victims of the bush fires which have affected parts of that country.

Fowler, who represents the West Coast Fever, will be joined on the All Star team by her national teammate Shamera Sterling, who plies her trade for the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the competition.

Fowler, who is coming off back-to-back Most Valuable Player titles in the league, said she is happy for the invitation because the proceeds from the event will be of significance to the country’s efforts to containing the fire.

“They have so many players in the league which they could have chosen from, and for them to pick me as the goal shooter, I am really happy,” Fowler said.

“There are two Jamaicans in the All Star line-up and that is really good for the country because this match is for a very worthy cause and we are both delighted that we are going to make our contribution to containing the bush fire.”

Third appearance

Rated as one of the best goal shooters in the world, the 30-year-old Fowler will be making her third appearance in this season’s league, which begins in April.

She said that she has been reading about the bush fires in recent times and found it devastating to watch because of how many have lost their livelihood as a result.

“I have read a lot about the fire over there and I have seen a lot,” she said. “Hundreds of animals have died and thousands of acres of lands have burnt out. A lot of people have also lost their homes and people have also lost their lives. I think that whatever we can do to help, I think that it will be good for all.”

At least 33 people have been killed, including four firefighters, and more than 11 million hectares of bush, forests, and parks across Australia have been burnt by the fires.

robert.bailey@gleanerjm.com