Fowler-Reid ditches Steel for Australia
After five years dominating the New Zealand netball scene, Southern Steel’s powerhouse shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid is heading to Australia.
The 1.98m Jamaican international is bidding farewell to the Steel to compete in the 2018 Suncorp Super League.
‘‘It wasn’t easy because I had to do heaps of thinking around leaving behind something that I’ve grown to know for five years and just the culture and everything so the decision to move away from that has been hard,’’ she said.
‘‘It definitely comes down to me needing a new challenge and me broadening my horizons and seeing what else is out there for me.’’
‘‘It’s going to be a new lifestyle and a new environment with different people but I adapt easily so that’s a good thing.’’
The prolific goal scorer has slotted 3678 goals from 4020 attempts with an accuracy rate of 91.4 percent over the past five seasons. She credits the Steel environment with her evolution into one of the world’s best.
‘‘I’ve grown so much – not only within my career but also personally,’’ Fowler-Reid said. ‘‘My game has changed tremendously … I have many tricks up my sleeve now to keep defenders thinking. I’m not a one-trick pony anymore.’’
She was ‘‘incredibly grateful’’ for the opportunity to join the Steel ranks in 2013.
‘‘It has changed me and it has grown me so much and the opportunity to come over to New Zealand is something that I really appreciate. The Steel have had such patience with me and supported me so much in feeling like I’m at home,’’ she said.