Dan Ryan with his West Coast Fever team,
West Coast Fever has retained premiership stars Jess Anstiss and Alice Teague-Neeld for three Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League seasons, as well as Sunday Aryang and Jhaniele Fowler for a further two seasons.
The Club has added the experience Kelsey Browne in the mid-court for season 2024, while the arrivals of England Roses captain Fran Williams, and former Sunshine Coast Lightning player Kadie-Ann Dehaney will bolster the defence.
The future is bright for Fever with the signing of young guns Jordan Cransberg and Olivia Wilkinson for three years each, while the addition of Sunshine Girls goal-attack Shanice Beckford, is also expected to add impetus to the Perth-based club's charge.
Head Coach Dan Ryan said the Green Army should be excited about the familiar faces returning combined with the fresh injection of x-factor players.
“I’m so excited about what this team can become, and our mission is going to be to become the best team we possibly can be. All 10 players contributing, playing a role, using their skillsets and weapons to help get us across the line,” Ryan said.
“It’s going to be ferocious West Coast Fever like always, but we are going to look a little bit different and that’s what I’m really excited by," he added.
Ryan said the Club had a clear strategy during recruitment to ensure the team was very versatile.
“I think the most important thing to take out of last season is that it really does take a full team of 10 to win the competition, which is what we saw from the Thunderbirds and Swifts,” he said.
“We’ve got a really deep squad. We’ve got positional coverage in every single position on the court, and we can roll the subs in any position without having to make too many shuffles across the court.
“I’m excited by enough continuity that we can keep doing what we’re doing that’s seen us be successful over the past couple of years.
“But we also have some really new, exciting players coming into our line-up that can make us change the game, shift our game plan, shift our strategies and that unpredictable nature is going to be a bit of a competitive edge for us.”
West Coast Fever will officially commence pre-season training in the new year.
Sunshine Girls stage final training session before departing for Horizon Series
The Sunshine Girls staged their final training session Wednesday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston ahead of leaving the island on Friday for England for the first two of their four-match Horizon Series on November 16 and 17.
Team coach Sasher-Gaye Henry and captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard were upbeat about their preparation and chances of doing well against England in the series.
“England is a good team and they have been going well. They are coming off about a eight game advantage compared to us so that’s something that is going to be good on their table so it’s good to just see how the girls will go in and give a good account of themselves. The preparation has been going fairly well for us. We have been looking specifically a lot in terms of our strength and conditioning, our court play in terms of our tactical play and we are super excited to see the growth and development especially of our younger players and there is still room for improvement knowing the fact that they are coming in now working with the senior girls. It’s not such a long time that we have had all of them together but the short time that we have them, I think they are improving daily” said coach Henry.
She also said that the new players Teresa Beckford, Chrystal Plummer, Mischa Creary, Rhea Dixon (English based player), Simone Gordon, Zaudi Green and Kimone Shaw are all excited to showcase their talent and do well.
Captain Fowler-Nembhard who joined the training squad for the past month talked about unity in the team and her own readiness for the series. “We are gelling together. The training sessions that we’ve had thus far have been really good and purposeful so yea it’s been good.”
"I just think my game is going well. I had a pretty good year so far and I am going to just transfer that into this series” said Fowler-Nembhard.
The other two matches in the series will be played in Jamaica on the 25th and the 26th of the month at the National indoor Sports Centre.
Schmidt hands Suaalii starting spot for Australia's England Test
Joe Schmidt is choosing to view the inclusion of rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for Australia's November international against England as an opportunity rather than a risk.
The inclusion of the 21-year-old former Sydney Roosters player, who signed a lucrative three-year deal to feature for the Waratahs, is the Wallabies' only change from their last fixture with New Zealand back in September.
Head coach Schmidt said the time felt right to give Suaalii, in at centre for the injured Hunter Paisami, his shot at Twickenham on Saturday with the Lions series taking place in 2025.
In quotes reported by BBC Sport, Schmidt said: "The thing that gives me confidence around Joseph is how well he prepares himself.
"He's a very professional young man and hopefully he can hit the ground running in a couple of days’ time.
“Everything's a risk, but I would challenge that with ‘everything's an opportunity’, and it's a fantastic opportunity for a young man who's really excited about getting the chance.
“There are four test matches left this year before we embark on a massive Lions’ tour next year. So if not now, when?
"I think it makes some sense for him to play. It's unlikely it'll go perfectly, but it will be a benchmark that he can build from.”
Australia squad in full:
Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen
Heart and skill: Role model Shanice Beckford targets successful Vitality Horizon series against England
Having spent years perfecting her game and inspiring others through her journey, Shanice Beckford views a return to the international stage for the Vitality Horizon Netball Series as another opportunity to parade her skills in front of aspiring players both at home and in England.
In fact, few players are as excited to hit the court as Beckford, especially after a lengthy break from international action, as the upcoming four-match series against England Roses will be the first time the Sunshine Girls have assembled since their bronze medal win at last year’s Netball World Cup.
Beckford’s enthusiasm reflects the strong bond within the team, which is a key factor as they prepare to face their fierce rivals.
England will host the first two games scheduled for November 16 and 17 at the AO Arena in Manchester, with Jamaica set to host the last two encounters on November 25 and 26 at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
“I’m happy to be back with the team for another cycle,” Beckford told SportsMax.Tv, radiating positivity.
“Kicking off our first international series with two matches at home is a great feeling. It’s always good vibes when the team gets together so I am excited to be back with the girls and ready to give of my best as usual,” she added.
Beckford’s passion, resilience, and aspirations for the future stem from the fact that she went from humble beginnings in the inner city to being a familiar face in Jamaican netball, as she was determined to break stereotypes and pursue a path beyond her immediate circumstances.
“Growing up in the inner city, I just didn’t want to be treated as stereotype, so netball became my escape, offering me not just the sport but a way to build connections and dream beyond my surroundings,” Beckford, who currently represents West Coast Fever in the Australian Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League, shared.
Though her career spanning over 10 years is marked by remarkable moments such as winning three Commonwealth Games medals, three Fast5 medals, and a Netball World Cup medal, for Beckford, her greatest achievement isn’t a particular medal or title but the journey itself—the connections, skills, and personal growth she has experienced along the way.
Still, her path hasn’t always been easy as injuries, disappointing matches, and times of self-doubt have all tested Beckford’s resilience. However, she welcomed successes and setbacks as part of the transformative process, with humility being her guiding principle.
“Even the tough moments have taught me the importance of perseverance and sportsmanship and I cherish this journey and all that it has brought into my life. It feels like I was destined to walk this path, so I will always remain humble, no matter what, and trust the process regardless,” Beckford stated.
The versatile 29-year-old goal-attack, who has earned the love and support of fans worldwide, is no stranger to rubbing shoulders with England, as her agility, sharp shooting, and strategic play have seen her win numerous star player of the game awards against them.
As such, the longstanding rivalry between the two nations not only brings a familiar intensity but also makes Beckford and her number four-ranked Sunshine Girls teammates even more motivated for the challenge as they seek to topple the now number two-ranked England and make a move up the rankings.
“Facing off against England, our long-standing rivals, always brings an electrifying atmosphere and intense competition. Each match against them isn’t just about the battles on the court but is also an opportunity to see our growth as a team,” Beckford declared.
“It’s going to be a good matchup against the Roses. They’re coming off a series win against New Zealand and had decent competition with the Australia Diamonds. All four matches will be tough, but we are ready to secure a favourable outcome at the end,” she noted.
Finally, with this series marking the start of another four-year cycle in her career, Beckford remains focused on her personal and professional growth, with her ultimate ambition being simple yet powerful—continue inspiring others.
“I have been pushing myself to be at peak performance; I’ve put in a lot of work, thanks to my trainers, and I feel ready to compete. The aim is always to be at my best at all times, ensure I am sharpening my skillset, and get ready for another season in SSN,” she explained, emphasizing her dedication to continuous improvement.
“I will continue working hard to not only see where this journey takes me, but more importantly, to continue serving as an inspiration to young athletes who see me as a role model,” Beckford ended
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
