2 days ago
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“AMAZING”, IS how Sunshine Girls’ newcomer Rhea Dixon reflects on a whirlwind month leading up to the current Horizon Netball Series between Jamaica and England, which recommences at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) in Kingston next Monday.
The 27-year-old England-born attacker launched her international career in a black, green, and gold dress in last Saturday’s dramatic 49-49 draw with her homeland in Manchester, and her stock rose higher with an impressive goalscoring follow-up on the same court less than 24 hours later.
Before boarding a plane at London’s Heathrow Airport for the much warmer climes of Kingston on Monday, she told The Gleaner about discovering more about her heritage.
Dixon has played for Leeds Rhinos, Loughborough Lightning, and next season will join British Super League newcomers Nottingham Panthers.
“I was born in Middlesex and brought up in Surrey, which was where I started playing netball,” she said.
“I played in last year’s Fast5 competition and visited Jamaica then but have just spent three weeks in camp in Kingston before coming back here for another week preparing with the Jamaica squad for the series. I’m so excited and honoured to be in this environment.
“If you had told me a couple of years ago that I would be in this position and playing against England, I really wouldn’t have believed you,” she remarked.
It was only a matter of time
Dixon qualifies for Jamaica through her grandparents.
“My grandparents, sadly, passed away, but I have got aunts and uncles coming from America and Britain and some family in Jamaica, too.”
It was only a matter of time, Dixon says, about representing Jamaica.
“It’s been on the cards for a while, and, for various reasons, it’s not until now that they have been able to fund me travelling across and staying,” she noted.
“The culture is really different to what I’ve experienced before, and I’ve done a lot of learning about my heritage. It’s been a life-changing experience, not just for my netball but in general.”
The versatile player explained the warmth and welcome received from all at Netball Jamaica.
“Shamera (Sterling-Humphrey) messaged me before I went out, so I immediately felt supported, and when I got off of the plane, Jhaniele (Fowler-Nembhard) and Shanice (Beckford) were there to welcome me, and they have really embraced me - everyone has been so kind showing me around.
“Khadija (Williams) has been very helpful, and I’ve been rooming with Latanya (Wilson) in the ‘netball house’, but it’s not fair to single people out because everyone has been amazing,” she said.
“It’s been uncomfortable in training, but that’s what I did this for … and I’ve had to remind myself that if I can come through this, I can play through anything!
Continuing, Dixon shared: “The other girls have been amazing as I’ve been welcomed with open arms and feel part of the group now, so I hope to build on what’s gone and cement that during the next few years.”
The Sunshine Girls are trailing 1-0 in the four-match series in which half the matches were completed in England over the weekend.
After the opening game draw, which saw the Sunshine Girls rally late in the last quarter for the 49-all tie, England’s Vitality Roses turned around their form in the latter part of the contest to claim the second game 55-47, and with it, their 1-0 advantage.
The Sunshine Girls have opportunities to change that scoreline when the series resumes with matches on Monday, November 25, and on Tuesday, at NISC.
Already, Dixon is looking forward to her ‘home debut’ in Kingston
“I can’t wait to get to play in front of a ‘home’ crowd ... they are all so passionate and will be behind us this time,” Dixon said.
“Jamaican fans definitely deserve their team playing on home soil, and hopefully, that will help bring a bit more backing and resources.
She is familiar with most of the England team through domestic competition.
“It’s been nice to see them - I’ve played both with and against most of them in the past,” Dixon shared. “Off the court, it has been good, but obviously, on the court it is very different!”
Dixon’s second cap on Sunday saw her start then switch from wing attack to goal attack in the second quarter.
“That’s probably my main position at club level. It was a bit sticky at times as we are still trying to build combinations in attack as I’ve not been involved at that end before with the Sunshine Girls,” she explained.
“England’s defence changed up a bit from the first match, so we have to now work out what we can do against those structures.”
The Sunshine Girls arrived in the island last night.
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