Karlandra Smith On Phoenix Netball Family
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Karlandra Smith says playing for the Phoenix Heat netball team has enriched her life in ways she never imagined when she first joined the programme as a high school student.
Smith and several of her Berkeley Institute team-mates were invited by schoolteacher and coach Erica Russell to represent the Phoenix reserve team – originally known as BPSA 2 – in the Bermuda Netball Association Summer League.
Little did they know, Russell was laying the foundations for a powerhouse team that would dominate the local netball scene for more than a decade.
“There was a bunch of high school girls who would play in the Summer League – it helped prepare us; it was a great place to start,” Smith told Bernews.
“We used to get slaughtered, but it was inspiring to watch the senior players.
“We learned so much from them, and I used to love watching them doing their tricks.”
Now 40, Smith has remained part of the Phoenix family for more than 20 years, playing alongside many of the same team-mates and under the guidance of Russell, whom she describes as a pivotal mentor both on and off the court.
“Erica guided me through some difficult times when I was a youngster,” Smith said.
“The reason for our success over the years has been Erica. She’s super-supportive, doesn’t sugar-coat anything, and is straight to the point.
“Even to this day, if there’s tension on the court, she gives me a certain look, and I know I must zip it.
“She knows how to exert her control. She’s like a mother or auntie to us.
“We would never have stayed together if it wasn’t for Erica. It’s an unbreakable bond!”
Smith, who plays as a goalkeeper or goal defence, estimates she has helped Phoenix claim about 15 Winter League titles – a remarkable run that ended this season when an undefeated Lindo’s Tigers claimed the crown.
Smith attributes the team’s dip in form to the loss of senior players due to age and family commitments. Still, she believes Phoenix’s future is bright with a talented crop of youngsters coming through the ranks.
“It’s been a tough season because a lot of us are getting up there in age!” said the mother of one.
“A lot of us are having kids – it’s time for us to retire!
“We’ve brought in some of the kids to give them more minutes and experience. That probably explains our dip this season.
“It’s been great to be part of the team’s success over the past decade, though.”
Smith knows she is closer to the end of her netball career than the beginning but remains deeply grateful for the positive impact the sport has had on her life.
“If I’d never been introduced to the sport, I think I’d have missed a big part of my life,” she said.
“It’s given me a sisterhood that I couldn’t have dreamt of. I’ve learned so much about discipline, patience, and teamwork.
“Our team is super diverse and comes from all walks of life. There is so much support within the group.”
Among the highlights of Smith’s career was representing the Bermuda senior netball team, which has been on hiatus for several years due to lack of funding.
“I was super young when I first played for Bermuda,” said Smith, an event activation manager at the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
“I remember my first game was in New York. It was an amazing experience.
“Netball has taken me to places I’d never otherwise have gone – Scotland, Trinidad, and across the East Coast [of the United States]. It’s given me some wonderful opportunities.”
- This is the ninth in a series of articles in which Bernews is highlighting the island’s netball players.
