Jamaican netball stars Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Latanya Wilson, and Shamera Sterling-Humphrey have been named to the prestigious Suncorp Super Netball League Team of the Year, cementing their positions as some of the most impactful players in the league. The recognition caps a stellar year for the Sunshine Girls, who are riding high after a thrilling series victory over world number two England Roses in the Horizon Series.
Fowler-Nembhard, representing the New South Wales Swifts, delivered another dominant season, leading the league with 1571.5 Net Points, 846 goal attempts, and 813 goals. Her unmatched consistency and scoring ability have made her a perennial fixture on this elite list.
Meanwhile, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey of the championship-winning Adelaide Thunderbirds was a defensive powerhouse, topping the league in Defensive Rebounds (36), Intercepts (44), and Deflections (96). Sterling-Humphrey also secured the third spot in overall Net Points with 1292, underscoring her value on both ends of the court.
Her teammate, Latanya Wilson, was equally impactful, ranking second in both Deflections (82) and Intercepts (42). The dynamic duo played crucial roles in the Thunderbirds' march to the title, a feat complemented by their dominance in individual accolades.
The 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year highlights the influence of Jamaica’s players, with only four clubs represented on the 10-player squad. Notably, Fowler-Nembhard, Wilson, and Sterling-Humphrey were joined by other stars from the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, and West Coast Fever, with no representatives from the Giants, Firebirds, or Mavericks.
The Thunderbirds enjoyed a banner year beyond their championship win. Lauren Frew was named Rookie of the Year, coach Tania Obst earned the Joyce Brown Coach of the Year title, and goaler Lucy Austin secured the Fast5 Player of the Series award. Meanwhile, Maverick Amy Parmenter received the inaugural ANPA Heart of the Game honor.
Full 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Team of the Year:
GS: Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (Swifts)
GA: Kiera Austin (Vixens)
WA: Georgie Horjus (Thunderbirds)
C: Kate Moloney (Vixens)
WD: Latanya Wilson (Thunderbirds)
GD: Sunday Aryang (Fever)
GK: Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (Thunderbirds)
Bench:
Attack: Sophie Garbin (Vixens)
Midcourt: Liz Watson (Lightning)
Defence: Ashleigh Ervin (Lightning)
This latest achievement follows Jamaica's historic 2-1 victory over the England Roses in the Horizon Series, where the Sunshine Girls claimed the Hornsby/Rhone trophy after thrilling matches in Kingston. The team's resurgence as a global force currently ranked fourth in the world, is a testament to their determination and the contributions of players like Fowler-Nembhard, Sterling-Humphrey, and Wilson on the international stage.