Sunshine Girl Beckford eager to start third Super League stint

Sunshine Girl Shanice Beckford believes she will enter the 2027 Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) League in Australia a much improved player compared to when she first competed in the league in 2024.

The 31-year-old goal attack recently signed with former champions West Coast Fever, having previously played in the league in 2024 and 2025.

“It’s been a talk between the West Coast Fever and I even before the Commonwealth Games. Going back wasn’t a hard decision to make. I’ve been in the environment before. When West Coast and (head coach) Dan (Ryan) reached out, it was like, Shanice we need to get you back in the environment. I guess my performances at the Commonwealth Games was the icing on the cake,” she told The Gleaner.

Beckford believes her previous experience in the competition will allow her to settle quickly when the season begins.

“Because I was there before, I’ll just carry over that one per cent of what I’ve learnt in my two years there to get back into the environment. So it’s about keeping an open mind, working along with my teammates and definitely try to win a Premiership next season,” the experienced Sunshine Girl added.

Beckford is also looking forward to reuniting with compatriot and world-class goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard at Fever. Fowler-Nembhard sat out the 2026 season after giving birth to her second child.

“I don’t think we are off beat because we are in sync like that. I think she has something to prove, and the whole world is waiting for her,” she said.

‘More patient’

Beckford also credited Fever head coach Dan Ryan for helping to improve the technical aspects of her game.

“He helped me to be more patient and stay focused for longer minutes, because normally, people would say the Sunshine Girls just play for half a game. Now, I can play for a full game and my whole fitness, background work and getting recovery in have all improved,” noted the former Queen’s School standout.

Defender Kadie-Ann Dehaney will be the third Sunshine Girl on West Coast Fever’s roster next season.

West Coast Fever, based in Perth, last won the Suncorp Super Netball League title in 2022. The official start date and match schedule for the opening round of the 2027 season have not yet been finalised by Netball Australia.