Fowler happy with RJRGLEANER Sportswoman nomination

Sunshine Girls captain Jhaniele Fowler is elated to be the only non-track and field athlete on the list of eight women vying for the RJRGLEANER's Sportswoman for last year.

"I think it is good that netball is represented in the highest level of this award and I believe that the Commonwealth silver medal is what contributed to me being selected," Fowler said.

Fowler, who missed out on being among the 2021 Sportswoman of the Year nomination, had a great season last year. She led Jamaica to their highest-ever finish at the Commonwealth Games last August after placing second to Australia, who they also had a historic victory over in pool play. She was the tournament's top scorer with 273 goals and a 97 per cent shooting accuracy.

The top shooter also shone outside of national colours as she was named the Suncorp Super Netball League's Player of the Year for the fifth consecutive year at the Australian Netball Awards after scoring a season record of 929 goals for her Australian club West Coast Fever.

She reasoned that her chances of winning are just as good as the other nominees.

"All the nominees in my category have done some outstanding work the past year, so I'm sure the voters will have their hands full and as for my chances, it's as good as any," she said. "If I am to win this award I would definitely feel proud of how netball, not only elevated me as an individual but also the fact that the sport is being recognised and elevated in Jamaica."

President of the Jamaica Netball Association Tricia Robinson said Fowler has already made her proud.

"She has performed very well during her career. She has as good of a chance as all the other nominees because if you look at all of them, they are on top of their careers and they have performed very well. Of course, I'm going to be biased and say I want her to come out victorious for the award."

"If you look at her performance every time she steps out on court, whether she is playing for her country or her club, her stats speak for themselves, almost always perfect scores," Robinson said.

The seven other women vying for this award are, 100 metres World Championship winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 200 metres World Championships winner Shericka Jackson, World Championships 100 metres hurdles silver medallist Britany Anderson, World Championship triple jump silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts, Commonwealth Games 400 metres hurdles champion Janieve Russell, double sprint Commonwealth Games champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and Commonwealth Games high jump gold medallist Lamara Distin.