The Jamaican netball international and New Zealand conference Most Valuable Player Jhaniele Fowler-Reid has signed on with the Southern Steel for two more years in the trans-Tasman competition.
Fowler-Reid has played for the Steel for the past three seasons and returns home to Jamaica tomorrow after the Steel were eliminated from the finals after losing to the Waikato-Bay of Pleny Magic at the weekend.
Fowler-Reid was adamant the 2015 roster would thrive if it remained intact.
Southern Steel and Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid. Photo: Dianne Manson
"It goes hand in hand with success when you have players who not only know themselves but know each other and respect each other. That comradery within the team and how we are so honest with each other, that makes it a lot easier," she said.
Reaching the playoffs stage of the trans-Tasman league not only ticked off a major goal for the Steel, it left the team hungry for higher honours.
"We are more than on the cusp. The players recruited for this year have been amazing. We have made a mark and I'm sure next year we won't be the underdog again because we have what it takes to win.
"The culture created within our team is awesome - that's the type of environment the team strives on, excels on and wins on. If we can keep that going I'm positive that we're going to come out victorious in our games and what we set out to achieve."
Now Fowler-Reid's allegiance turns to Jamaica's Sunshine Girls and their quest to secure the World Cup in Sydney in August.
"When I get home, the focus will be straight onto training and preparing to come back over here ready to devour other teams."
Competing in the ANZ Championship played a vital role in that preparation.
"It really prepares me heaps. Even this year, I think my game has grown a lot more and kudos to (coach) Janine (Southby) and my coaching staff because they really put the hard yards in to make sure I am where I am, knowing that I'm going to play for another country," she said.
Fowler-Reid is eagerly anticipating a fourth season with the southern franchise.
"Strangely enough, I do miss it when I'm away. Andre (husband) was saying last night 'when you get home you will always be saying how much you miss New Zealand and Invercargill' and I do," she said.
"They are two very different environments but the only real similarity is that I just feel loved and at home when I'm at both places."
"I'd always intended for it to be a long-term relationship but I just had to go with the flow and see what happens year in, year out," she said.
"My first year was very cold and I thought 'maybe this is my first year and my last year too' but I have fallen in love with this place - it's been really good for me and helped me be the person who I am. I feel very settled here."
