Akeyla Furbert On Her Love For Netball
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Akeyla Furbert finds a unique sense of freedom when she steps onto the netball courts at Bernard Park.
For her, netball is more than just a sport; it’s a place to express herself fully and revel in the pure enjoyment of the game.
While Furbert is more recognised as a winger for the Bermuda women’s national football team – scoring in the NatWest Island Games final in Guernsey in 2023 to help her team clinch the gold medal – she is equally formidable on the netball court.
As a centre for North Village in the Bermuda Netball Association Senior League, Furbert brings her athletic prowess to every game, balancing both sports with remarkable dedication.
“I’ve played a lot of sports over the years, but football and netball have been my favourites,” Furbert told Bernews. “Sticking with them has never been a problem.”
Yet, as passionate as she is, managing dual sports can be challenging.
“Juggling schedules can be tricky, though,” she said. “Sometimes I can’t do training or I’m a bit late.”
Still, netball holds a special place in her heart.
“It’s the one sport I do simply for pleasure – I hope to play my part for Village this season,” Furbert said. “I play to win, but I want to have fun.”
Furbert, who plays for the PHC Lady Zebras football team, excels as a centre – a role she relishes as it allows her to be the engine of her team.
She is versatile enough to cover goal defence as well and is always ready to step in where needed.
“I’ll play wherever the coach needs me, but I prefer centre, where I can do most of the running,” she said.
“My jumping ability is probably a bigger asset when I play goal defence, though. I can jump higher than almost everyone else.
“My team struggles a bit in the height department, but we are competitive.”
Now 30, Furbert’s skills and experience have earned her accolades, including the league’s Best Attacking Player award last season.
Her roots in netball run deep – she represented Bermuda at the youth level, winning the regional Jean Pierre Tournament in Barbados as a teenager.
With the possibility of representing her country as a senior, Furbert remains open to the opportunity.
“I’m open to playing for the senior team as long as I can fit it into my schedule,” she added.
- This is the first in a series of articles in which Bernews will be highlighting the island’s netball players.
