BECKFORD...I'm really loving the environment so far.
Shanice Beckford knew adjusting to life in Australia would take some doing, but knowing the opportunity that was there to be grasped, she did not hesitate to make the move when West Coast Fever called.
Just as Beckford expected, the first two weeks in Perth took its toll, but she is just about getting ready to turn the proverbial corner ahead of what she hopes will be a very successful debut stint in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League.
“The first two weeks were difficult for me, but I must say it has been quite fun. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a strong emphasis on family-oriented activities. I'm really loving the environment so far. Despite some initial struggles with my sleeping patterns, I'm gradually settling in. Overall, everything is going pretty well and I'm feeling quite content with my decision to join this club,” Beckford told SportsMax.TV.
To her credit, Beckford adapted quite quickly and judging by her bubbly and energetic movements in training so far, the talented goal-attack is merely just getting started where taking on a significant workload and displaying her usual craftiness on court is concerned as she fits into the new environment.
“I am learning to be patient with myself and to trust my coaches, teammates, and the process as I gradually work my way into the team. I am taking my time to improve and find my place in the different combinations,” Beckford shared.
“Although, I am still adjusting to the time zone, when it comes to training, it's a whole different ball game. Moreover, it's been good as I have enough time to recover, and I don’t have to worry about rushing to work or getting home late at night, like the challenges we face back home in Jamaica. I felt like after the first two weeks, everything became a little easier to handle,” she added.
Despite the fact that she has honed her skills in a fairly successful career spanning 10 years, Beckford, 28, was eager to not only parade her skills in the SSN, but also to continue her development outside of the Sunshine Girls setup, and for her West Coast Fever represents the perfect fit.
“Being in this environment will provide me with the necessary structural skills and resources to unlock a new level of potential in my netball career. So far, it's been going well, although, I can’t stress this enough, the first two weeks were a bit of a struggle as I had to get back into the groove and adapt to the standards and way of playing of the Fever team. However, I'm getting there and I'm pretty excited to see how much this experience will enhance my skillset and develop me as a player by the end,” the soft-spoken player noted.
With the start of the season still just over two months out, Beckford expressed excitement at the prospects for her and Fever’s teammates – which includes compatriots Jhaniele Fowler and Kadie-Ann Dehaney –to find success and, by extension, lay a solid foundation for a possible future at the club, as she has not ruled out the idea of an extension on her one-year contract.
The Dan Ryan-coached West Coast Fever, which won the title in 2022, will open their campaign in this, the eight edition of the SSN against Giants on April 13.
“I'm feeling very optimistic about this fresh crop of girls. It's an entirely new-look team, with many new players joining the ranks alongside some of our more seasoned members. Despite the differences in experience and style, we're blending together seamlessly and making excellent progress so far,” Beckford said.
“So, I am prepared to do my best to get the job done, no matter what condition I am in. Everyone wants to play in the finals at the end of the season, but I know it won't be easy. Therefore, I am keeping an open mind, embracing the journey, and taking things one session at a time and it will be the same approach come game time,” she declared.
Having so far achieved all that she set out to when she just launched her career as an 18-year-old, Beckford pointed out that adding a SSN title to her accolades, would be the icing on top.
She has so far won Commonwealth Games medals in 2014, 2018 and 2022, along with Fast5 medals in 2013, 2017 and 2018, as well as a Netball World Cup medal last year. All this is complemented by her 2015 stint in England’s Superleague.
“Personally, winning the SSN title would be an incredible moment that I wouldn't be able to explain right now. Let’s just say it would be the icing on the cake, and I know the West Coast Fever family would be thrilled with the victory,” she ended.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Fowler-Nembhard scores 59 as West Coast Fever secure dominant win over New South Wales Swifts to remain unbeaten in in Suncorp Super Netball League
The West Coast Fever delivered a commanding performance against the New South Wales Swifts in the Suncorp Super Netball League on Sunday, maintaining their unbeaten streak with a resounding 75-59 victory. The win marks the Fever's fourth consecutive triumph in the league.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard led the charge for the Fever, showcasing her shooting prowess with an impressive tally of 59 goals from 60 attempts. In contrast, Samantha Wallace-Joseph of the Swifts managed 34 goals from 35 attempts.
The match was evenly poised at halftime, with the Fever holding a narrow 35-33 lead. However, they seized control in the second half, outscoring the Swifts 40-26 to secure a decisive victory.
Both teams displayed high-intensity play from the outset, with the ball swiftly transitioning between players and into the hands of their sharpshooters, Fowler-Nembhard and Wallace-Joseph. The Fever capitalized on their offensive strategies, utilizing precise passing to set up scoring opportunities for Fowler-Nembhard against a formidable Swifts defence.
Although the Swifts showed promise in the second quarter, tightening their defensive pressure and causing turnovers, the Fever regained momentum after halftime. Fowler-Nembhard continued to dominate in the shooting circle, supported by a cohesive midfield effort led by Kelsey Browne.
Defensively, Sunday Aryang played a pivotal role for the Fever, effectively neutralizing key Swifts players and disrupting their attacking flow. The Fever's relentless defensive pressure and cohesive teamwork ultimately propelled them to a convincing victory.
With this win, the West Coast Fever maintain their unbeaten run in the Suncorp Super Netball League, showcasing their championship potential early in the season. The team's performance underscores their depth and skill across all facets of the game, setting a strong foundation for future success in the competition.
Jamaican trio on song as Thunderbirds trounce struggling GIANTS by 20 goals
Jamaica’s trio of Latanya Wilson, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, and Romelda Aiken-George again produced strong performances, as their Adelaide Thunderbirds team outclassed GIANTS Netball 69-49, at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on Saturday.
Aiken-George led from the front with 29 goals from 35 attempts, backed by Lucy Austin, who scored 23 goals from 24, including two super shots, while Lauren Frew (9 goals from 9 attempts), and Georgie Horjus (8 goals from 9 attempts), also got in on the act.
While the shooters were clinical for the most parts, it was the defensive work of Matilda Garrett, Sterling-Humphrey, Wilson and others, that limited GIANTS –the team of another Jamaican Jodi-Ann Ward –in the 20-goal win.
Sophie Dwyer, with 26 goals from 27 attempts, and Jo Harten 18 goals from 24 attempts led the scoring for the GIANTS, while Matisse Letherbarrow got the other five goals.
The Thunderbirds, who entered the contest with two wins and a loss, were always favoured to come out tops, as the GIANTS struggle to find their footing, and are yet to secure a win this season.
With the use of a variety of combinations from her ten-strong roster, Head coach, Tania Obst, ensured GIANTS didn’t stand a chance, as her Thunderbirds team won all four quarters, 18-12, 19-11, 17-13, and 15-13.
Though Jamie-Lee Price was crucial for the GIANTS, doing a wealth of work in both attack and defence for her team, her hard work was not always rewarded as a few shots were missed and unforced errors were made. That, coupled with the fact that Adelaide’s defenders Garrett and Sterling-Humphrey applied intense pressure, made life even more difficult for the GIANTS.
The Thunderbirds’ fine form continued after the half-time interval, while the GIANTS once again struggled to stay in touch with their host. Despite being down, Dwyer’s confidence for the GIANTS didn’t waver and she found her rhythm which was important for the visitors.
However, as it felt like there was a momentum shift, Dwyer broke on the centre pass, giving up much-needed possession, and the positional swap between Wilson and Sterling-Humphrey made life miserable for the GIANTS, as it caused confusion for their shooters in the circle.
The Thunderbirds went into the final period 54-36 up and denied the GIANTS of almost any opportunity to get the ball down court smoothly and easily.
Before the final Power Five, Obst again changed combinations as the Thunderbirds pressed the ascendancy and completed the handsome victory. They now have three wins from four games.
Fowler-Nembhard achieves 8,000-goal milestone in Fever's win over Mavericks; Aiken-George fires Thunderbird over Lightning
Jamaica’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard celebrated another milestone in the Suncorp Super Netball League, as she surpassed the 8,000-goal mark in leading West Coast Fever to an exciting 69-62 victory over Melbourne Mavericks at the John Cain Arena on Saturday.
The ever-reliable Fowler-Nembhard scored a perfect 50 goals from 50 attempts, with support from compatriot Shanice Beckford, who had 18 goals from 16 attempts, including four supershots worth two points each. Olivia Wilkinson contributed the other goal in the Fever’s third-consecutive win.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks scoring was also led by a Jamaican Shimona Jok, who registered 27 goals from 29 attempts before taking up goalkeeper duties. Eleanor Cardwell had 22 goals from 22 attempts, while Gabrielle Sinclair, who sunk six supershots, ended with 13 goals from nine attempts.
The West Coast Fever delivered three quarters of relentless netball, extinguishing any hope of a home victory for the Mavericks on this occasion.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard continued to shine brightly, showcasing her exceptional early season form, as the Fever’s made their intentions clear from the start. However, the Mavericks through Maisie Nankivell and Jok, ensured it remained a tightly contested affair, as they took a three-goal lead 17-14 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
Like they did at the start, the Fever scored four unanswered goals at the top of the second quarter courtesy of intercepts by Jamaican Kadie-Ann Dehaney and Jess Anstiss. Though the Mavericks tried to regain the momentum back, Kelsey Browne’s speed and pressure in centre court, saw Fever control and dominate the contest at 40-32 at the half-time interval.
In a surprising move for the Mavericks, Jok transitioned from goalshoot to goalkeeper with hopes of containing Fowler-Nembhard, and her immediate impact was evident. However, Beckford's precision sinking supershots rendered the move futile.
From there, the speed in attack and high intensity pressure led by Dehaney and Fran Williams in defence, coupled with the accuracy of the shooters, propelled the Fever’s to a 11-goal lead at 54-43 to close the third quarter.
The fourth quarter started in the same vein, as Fowler-Nembhard scored her 42nd goal of the evening and brought up 8,000 National League Goals in the process.
Fever held a 10-goal lead at the start of Power Five, before the Mavericks’ supershot prowess saw them cut the deficit to five, but the Dan Ryan-coached Fever’s held their own to close out the win.
Elsewhere, Adelaide Thunderbirds, the team of Jamaicans Romelda-Aiken George, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, and Latanya Wilson, rebounded from last week’s defeat to top Sunshine Coast Lightning 60-56, at the UniSC Arena.
Aiken-George led the Thunderbirds with 43 goals from 48 attempts, with Lauren Frew (14 goals from 21 attempts), and Lucy Austin (three goals from five attempts) getting in on the act.
Meanwhile, Cara Koenen (24 goals from 26 attempst), Steph Fratwell (26 goals from 27 atempts) and Reilley Batcheldor (six goals from nine attempts) got the goals the Lightning.
The game began with a flurry of errors, centre pass missteps, poor passes, and some defenders hungry for the ball. Both teams traded turnovers, but it was the Lightning, who fell behind as they couldn’t convert from their centre pass.
At the other end, the Thunderbirds not only managed to convert theirs but were then able to take advantage of any intercepts on defence.
From there, it was a case of who handled the ball best throughout the first three quarters which ended 17-4, 31-20, 39-36 in favour of the Thunderbirds, before the Lightning rallied to tie things at 50-50 at the end to send the game into overtime.
There seemed to be some level of confusion for both teams, neither remembering the rules of the overtime period. The Lightning was late to realise that the super shot was in play for the entirety of the overtime period, and the Thunder forgot there were two five-minute halves.
Fretwell took advantage of the supershot, as she nailed a few to put her team within reach, but the Thunderbirds showed no fear, courtesy of Frew and Aiken-George, who saw them to a four-goal win.
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