MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Former champions West Coast Fever have rounded out their Super Netball League squad by signing three Jamaica Sunshine Girlz for next season.
Girlz captain and ace goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler put pen to paper, signing a two-year extension with the Perth-based club. In contrast, defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney has signed up for the same period, and 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 of the SNL, and she said the next season will be “amazing” for the Green Army – as the Fever are known – with the addition of her two 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 Shanice and Kadie-Ann; having three Sunshine Girls at Fever is honestly a dream come true.
“Round 1 cannot come quick enough. I’m super excited 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 defense for the Fever.
“I’m super excited and grateful for this opportunity to head 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 Girlz 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 honor 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 three Jamaican players and looked forward to working with them next season.
“Jhaniele has so much more netball ahead of her, and I know she will be even more dominant,” he said. “She’s so hungry to keep improving her game and achieve more team success.
“She’s a champion and a hugely respected leader, so I know she’s going to play a key role in helping build our familiar but fresh-looking team.”
On Dehaney, Ryan said: “Kadie-Ann has so much untapped potential, and she is ready to stamp her authority on this league. I genuinely believe this is her time to do it.
“She’s got great height and range, and her ability to confuse the space and cause some chaos is impressive. She will fit our style of play and structures nicely, and with a few familiar faces in the team, I can see her thriving in the Fever environment.”
On Beckford, he said: “Shanice has speed to burn; she’s crafty, accurate, and the ultimate workhorse. Her combination with Jhaniele will be one to watch, and I think she will add a real X-factor to our attack.
“She’s been a consistent performer for the Sunshine Girlz for the past decade and is one of the unsung heroes of world netball. I believe her best is yet to come.”
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 orange and charcoal for 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 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.
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