KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a significant blow to Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, captain and leading goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard has been withdrawn from the Horizon Series against England on medical advice, as announced by Netball Jamaica.
Fowler-Nembhard, widely regarded as one of the top players in international netball, will be replaced by Romelda Aiken-George, who will join the team which was scheduled to head to England Friday.
“Netball Jamaica is focused on her health and well-being and will provide updates as necessary regarding her condition,” said Tricia Robinson, president of Netball Jamaica.
Head coach Sasher-Gaye Henry expressed disappointment over the absence of the team’s captain but affirmed their support for Fowler-Nembhard’s recovery. “Jhaniele is the captain and a very important player for Jamaica, so we are quite disappointed that she will not be able to participate in the Horizon Series. However, our priority at this time is her health, and we are committed to supporting our players every step of the way,” said Henry. Despite the setback, Henry remains confident in the depth of the squad as they prepare for their opening match in Manchester on November 16.
A standout in international netball
Fowler-Nembhard has been a standout in international netball and recently finished her season in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League as the competition’s top scorer.
The Horizon Series, a new annual fixture, will span the next four years with two matches hosted in each country. This year’s return matches will be played in Kingston on November 25 and 26 at the National Indoor Sports Centre. England, ranked second globally, enters the series with momentum following their recent Taini Jamison Trophy win in New Zealand, while Jamaica, ranked fourth, will compete for the first time since their fifth-place finish at the 2023 Fast5 World Series.
Jamaica squad for the England series: Romelda Aiken-George, Shanice Beckford, Mischa Creary, Rhea Dixon, Abigaile Sutherland, Khadija Williams, Crystal Williams, Theresa Beckford, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Latanya Wilson, Jody-Ann Ward.
The Sunshine Girls will face a strong England side with recent form favoring the hosts, having won six of their last eight encounters.
