NJ president: Fowler-Nembhard committed to national programme

Netball Jamaica (NJ) president Karen Baugh says star goal shooter and captain, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, remains fully committed to the Sunshine Girls, despite her continued absence from the national team.

Fowler-Nembhard, who last represented Jamaica at the 2023 Netball World Cup, also missed this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, after giving birth. The Sunshine Girls went on to win the silver medal at the championships.

Baugh said Fowler-Nembhard remains an integral part of the national team and will be considered for selection once she is available and declared fit.

“As far as I know, Jhaniele is very committed to playing for the national team. She has never declared herself unavailable outside of injuries or pregnancy,” Baugh said.

Fowler-Nembhard is currently based in Australia, where she represents West Coast Fever in the Suncorp Super Netball League.

“So, if you track her on social media, you will see that she is working on her post-natal recovery, so right now we do expect her to continue being committed to the Sunshine Girls,” Baugh said.

Horizon Series

Jamaica’s senior national netballers are scheduled to face rivals England in a four-match Horizon Series, with the Jamaicans playing the first two matches in London on November 21 and 22, before returning home for the final two games on December 5 and 6.

According to Baugh, Fowler-Nembhard, rated among the best goal shooters in the world, could return for the series if she is declared fit.

“We will have to see what stage of the preparations she is at. We are not ruling out anything at this stage, but that is a conversation with the coach, selectors and Jhaniele’s own readiness,” she said.

“But, if you go through our ticketing page, you will see that we have featured her there and so we are hopeful that she will be physically ready for the series.”

Seeking sponsorship

Meanwhile, Baugh said NJ is still seeking sponsorship for the series, as the association prepares for the logistical demands of sending the team to England, before hosting the return matches in Jamaica.

“The team is working hard in the preparation; they are in training and we, as usual, are still struggling somewhat with sponsorship,” she said.

“But we do have sponsors on board … we do have to fly to England first to play the first leg of the series, and then we come home for the home leg. So we are still looking for sponsors to help us bridge that gap for airfare and accommodation and everything that goes with a tour during international travel. But we are working hard on it,” Baugh said.

“We have some promises, and we are hoping that the sponsors will come on board.”