Fowler shooting for the top

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

HAVING MADE her debut for Jamaica's Sunshine Girls in their just concluded two-Test series against England, fast-rising netball sensation, Jhanelle Fowler, says her aim is to become one of the world's most dominant goal shooters.

The 21-year-old Fowler made an impressive start to her international career in the first match, when she topscored for Jamaica with 19 goals from 21 attempts after coming off the bench in the second quarter.

England won that match 53-42.

Following this performance against some of the world's best players, the 6' 5'' Fowler was selected as a member of Jamaica's team for the Common-wealth Games in Delhi, India.

"I think I've got what it takes to become one of the world's best players because I have the height and the ability to do it," said the soft-spoken Fowler, during an interview with The Gleaner.

She feels great about her most recent selection.

"The feeling is very great because I have been working very hard since January, and now it has paid off for me because I have been selected to go to the Commonwealth Games," she said.

Continuing, she said: "I was a bit surprised when I got selected for the England series, but after my performance, I knew that I would have been considered for the Commonwealth Games team.

"It is a dream come true for me because I have always wanted to represent my country in this sport that I love so much.

''I am looking forward to the Commonwealth Games because I want to prove to my team how much of a good player I can be, especially playing under a lot of pressure," said Fowler, who said she admires her captain, Simone Forbes.

"I want to cement my place in the team, but I will just have to continue to work very hard and perform to the best of my abilities."

Aiming for professional game

Fowler, who has been playing netball for the past 10 years, also stated that she would like to emulate teammates Romelda Aiken and Althea Byfield, by plying her trade overseas.

"I want to be a professional netball player and to play in the ANZ Championships in Australia and New Zealand because this will help me to develop my skills, so that I can become a better player for my country."

Fowler, a past student of St James High in Montego Bay, played an inspirational role in helping Waulgrovians 'A' to win the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open League title earlier this year.

She promised to work very hard to improve other aspects of her game, such as her foot movement and endurance, so that she would be able to lock down a permanent spot in the Jamaica team.

"I feel great about my performance, but I was a bit nervous when I just went on the court because I was hearing a lot about the English and how hard they play. But as the match went on, my confidence went up tremendously, and I want to build on this for the Commonwealth Games," said Fowler.

Meanwhile, Forbes said she is very impressed with Fowler's abilities and attitude towards the game, noting that she is a very easy person to work with.

"She is very talented and she is a natural athlete, and, with some more experience and more work with the coach (Connie Francis), she will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the future," said Forbes. "She also has a bubbling personality, (she is) always smiling and always giving jokes."