Jamaican netball superstar and Sunshine Girls captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard is expecting her second child, her club West Coast Fever announced on Thursday. The news, while joyous, has already affected her availability for recent competitions, as she stepped away from the sport to prioritize her health and well-being.
In a statement, the Australian-based Fever extended their congratulations to Fowler-Nembhard and her family:
"Everyone at Fever is absolutely thrilled for Jhaniele and her family. We’ve always known that Jhaniele has dreamed of having another child, and seeing that dream come true is simply wonderful!"
Fowler-Nembhard’s pregnancy meant she was unavailable for the recently concluded Jamaica-England Horizon Series, which was played on November 16-17 in Manchester and November 25-26 in Kingston. She had been training with the Sunshine Girls and was expected to play a critical role in the series, contributing as a top scorer and mentoring new senior squad members.
In her absence, Romelda Aiken-George joined the squad and helped fill the void in the goal circle. Netball Jamaica President Tricia Robinson acknowledged the significance of Fowler-Nembhard’s absence but emphasized that her health and well-being were the priority:
"Netball Jamaica is focused on her health and well-being and will provide updates as necessary regarding her condition."
Fowler-Nembhard married Ashani Nembhard in a private ceremony in Kingston on December 20, 2023. She also has a daughter, Drehannah, from a previous relationship. This pregnancy marks a new chapter for the couple as they expand their family.
As the West Coast Fever’s leading goal shooter and a five-time top scorer in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League, Fowler-Nembhard has cemented her place as one of the world’s greatest netballers. Her absence from recent international competition is a reminder of her immense value to the Sunshine Girls, both on and off the court.
While her team and fans will miss her presence in the immediate term, Fowler-Nembhard’s contributions to Jamaican netball are already legendary. The netball community joins in congratulating her on this exciting milestone and looks forward to her eventual return to the sport.