JAMAICA’S star netball shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid returned to the island yesterday a more experienced player from her overseas exploits in the ANZ Championships in Australia and New Zealand, and is ready to help the Sunshine Girls in the Commonwealth Games set for July.

“Now that I am back in Jamaica, my main goal at the moment is to just cool off and head straight into training as soon as possible,” she told the Jamaica Observer upon her arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

“I plan to bring my experience and knowledge which I have attained and share it among the head coach Minneth Reynolds and also the technical director Jill McIntosh, as that knowledge will be vital with the Commonwealth Games around the corner,” Fowler-Reid pointed out.

The ANZ Championship (also known non-commercially as the Trans-Tasman Netball League) is the premier netball league in Australia and New Zealand.

The competition is held annually between April and July, comprising 69 matches played over 17 weeks. It is contested by 10 teams, five from Australia and five from New Zealand.

Fowler-Reid, 24, standing at 6 feet 6 inches, had a knee injury which slowed her progress at the start of the competition, but was able to propel her team Southern Steel to fifth position.

“After a lazy start to the competition, losing a couple of early games, it has been a wonderful experience knowing that I defeated Australia on their turf,” she noted.

“I had suffered a small knee injury but it feels much better now, as it was just a muscle strain,” she revealed.

Fowler-Reid, who has been a part of Jamaica’s national team since 2010, believes she had a much better championship compared to last season.

“This season for me was an excellent season even though we were placed fifth. My overall performance has improved compared to last year. I think I played a lot better and I can see that with the input of work I have been doing in the championship. I have been working hard and it is evident in my improvement,” she noted.

Meanwhile, President of Netball Jamaica Marva Bernard said she is looking forward to seeing Fowler-Reid in the squad to be selected for the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

“There are 12 players to be selected and teamwork is key for their success at the Commonwealth Games. Jill McIntosh and Minneth Reynolds are working hard, and we are looking forward to see her take part in the practice games against Barbados come next week,” said Bernard.