Jhaniele Fowler (Sunshine Girl Goal shooter): This Independence Day you'll find me sightseeing in the country, specifically St Thomas. I love to cook and I am hoping to prepare Spanish rice, baked chicken and curry goat. Probably I'll ask for some help but I'm used to doing it all by myself.
Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter
Jamaica's top netball shooter, Jhaniele Fowler, is aiming to be like sprint legend Usain Bolt and break her own records following her magical debut season in the ANZ Netball Championships which ended with her being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the recently concluded season.
The 23-year-old, who plays for the New Zealand-based Southern Steel, finished with 666 goals from 709 attempts (93.9 per cent) to break the league's record for most goals in a season. She also holds the record for most goals in a game after netting 65 twice during the season.
Fowler received 19 votes, which included votes in all but three rounds, as well as two player of the match performances against the EasiYo Tactix in round two and NSW Swifts in round seven.
Jamaicans also finished as first and second runner-ups for the MVP title, as the Firebirds shooter Romelda Aiken got 18 votes while Carla Borrego (Thunderbirds) was tied for third with 17 votes.
Fowler becomes the third import and second Jamaican to be named as the league's MVP, following in the footsteps of compatriot Aiken (2008, 2009) and England's Sonia Mkoloma (2008).
challenging season
"I am happy, I am overwhelmed, I am excited and I am thankful that I am recognised for my hard work," Fowler told The Gleaner. "It was a very challenging season, I had to work really hard for where I am at now, but I wanted it, so I put out all that I had to accomplish all that I have accomplished."
The six feet six inches player, who is the tallest in the championship, made a clean sweep of the awards as she was also named the ANZ Championship's Best New Talent and named at Goal Shooter in the 2013 Foxtel ANZ Championship All-Star team.
"I didn't expect any of this in my first season," Fowler said. "The fact that I left my family back home for so long made me realise that it must be for a good reason, so that was one of my main things that kept me going."
Fowler, who has re-signed with the Steel for another two seasons, said her aim for next year is to help her side reach the finals for the first time since 2010. She, however, knows it will be difficult to outdo last season's achievements.
"It is going to be very hard to top, but I am going to be like Bolt, breaking my own records."
Fowler is marrying her partner, Andre Reid, in December 2013. The couple has a three-year-old daughter, Drehannah.
ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com