Sunshine Girls star Shanice Beckford is officially on the lookout for a new team after the West Coast Fever opted not to re-sign the goal attack for the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball League season.
The Jamaican international joined the Perth-based franchise ahead of the 2024 campaign and quickly became a regular fixture in the line-up, featuring in 32 matches across two seasons. Her combination with fellow countrywoman and towering shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard played a crucial role in the Fever’s 2025 campaign, which included a league-record 13 consecutive victories following two early losses.
Beckford, who finished the season with 143 assists and 78 goals, was a key contributor to the team’s offensive structure. However, her efforts were not enough to earn a contract extension, a decision that came just days after the Fever’s defeat in the 2025 Grand Final to the Melbourne Vixens.
The 30-year-old admitted she was taken aback by the call.
“I must admit I’m feeling a bit disappointed with the recent news, but that’s the nature of sport,” she said.
“I leave with no regrets, only gratitude and excitement for what’s next.
I want to express my gratitude for the incredible opportunity I had to compete at this level. Being invited by Fever to be part of their organisation has been an amazing experience. I truly enjoyed every moment spent in this environment.”
The Grand Final loss highlighted the Fever’s lack of offensive range, particularly from the two-point supershot zone. The team failed to attempt a single supershot until late in the final quarter, and that effort came from Fowler-Nembhard—not Beckford, who remained on the bench for much of the match, nor rookie Olivia Wilkinson.
That lack of versatility may have influenced the club’s decision, with Fever seemingly opting for a fresh direction moving forward.
In a historical twist, Beckford becomes the first player since Nat Medhurst in 2018 to be cut from a Super Netball squad after starting in a Grand Final—a decision also made by the Fever organisation.
With her experience, agility, and international pedigree, Beckford is expected to attract attention from clubs both in Australia and overseas as she charts the next chapter in her career.
