Latanya Wilson is finding her voice. It hasn’t come easily, as the shy Jamaican – currently rated as the best wing defence in the world – was brought up in a netball environment where players didn’t share their opinions.
“The culture at home is quite different, as you don’t want to seem like you are trying to overpower your coach, or to stand out by saying what you think.”
As a younger player she kept her eyes and ears open, and her mouth zipped, but matters had to change. As a newly minted Adelaide Thunderbird in 2021, the then 19 year old wasn’t receiving much court time, and wasn’t sure why or what to do about it. She did know she wanted to be out on court, and avoid the dreaded top ups – extra work done by those players not receiving much game time.
Wilson laughed, “Let me tell, you, I did them for my entire first year! Every time I would take the court it would just be for five minutes, and I would tell myself, you have to play well because you just can’t do top up this week. You can’t do top up, you can’t, and every time, I would do top up. Over and over!”
Latanya Wilson making life difficult for fellow Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler. Image Clinton Bradbury/Bradbury Photography
With the end of her first season approaching, Wilson still wasn’t sure what she needed to do to get more court time, and didn’t have the confidence to communicate frankly with her coaches. A chat with her strength and conditioning coach changed everything.
Wilson said, “He told me, ‘If you don’t have those conversations, by the end of your contract you won’t know what they were expecting from you, and why you weren’t getting that game time.
‘And at the end of that contracting period, you could then find yourself without a contract, and it’s too late to be asking those questions.’
“That hit home differently.
“It is hard to learn to speak up, and it’s something I’m still working on.
“You want to do it in a respectful way, but also for me I don’t want to hurt people’s feelings. Sometimes you have to give or receive constructive criticism, and know that it is coming from a place of care.”
The compassionate nature of the Thunderbirds’ coaches, Tania Obst and Cathy Fellowes, made the process easier for the defender. Wilson said, “I now like having those tough one on one conversations and I can talk to them about anything. I give them the go ahead to call me out if they think I aren’t doing something right, or if it’s not the standard they expect of me and they need me to step it up.”
It took those hard conversations for Wilson to fulfil her potential and now at just 23, she is a phenomenon. Standing at 188cm tall, Wilson can switch between all three defensive positions, creating havoc with her anticipation, game smarts, athleticism and rangy wingspan. She’s most commonly seen at wing defence these days, regularly shutting down the best wing attacks in world netball, and currently leads the intercept count in Australia’s Super Netball league. It’s an incredible stat for a midcourter.
Defenders club. Thunderbirds assistant coach Cathy Fellowes with Shamera Sterling, Matilda Garrett and Latty Wilson. Image Aliesha Vicars.
Her stellar form on the world stage is a far cry from the girl who fell in love with netball during her primary school years, but wasn’t good enough to play. She instead spent many years carrying water for her team, and at high school started passing to herself on brick walls to develop her skills.
Wilson finally took the court in Under 14 carnivals as a goal defence and goal keeper, was noticed by a national coach and moved quickly through the ranks. During her first year of university, Wilson snapped up an opportunity to play in England’s Superleague. The 19 year old managed just two games before Covid hit, and the country went into lockdown.
As a leggy teenager still adjusting to the different tempo in England, Wilson attracted the ire of umpires, but showed enough to be scouted by the Thunderbirds’ management. Shamera Sterling brought her young national teammate to their attention, they recognised her potential from video footage and promptly offered her a contract. It was a dream come true, with Wilson both believing – whilst also in disbelief – that she would end up travelling the world with her sport.
“Back in high school when I realised I had some talent, people would tell me that I would make it far, and I would get excited, knowing that Australia was the place I wanted to be.
“I knew the importance of playing sport, and where it could take people.
“But it also seemed unrealistic at the same time, because I was just a nobody girl.”
The Australian netball environment proved to be an immense challenge, and Wilson wasn’t sure she would survive her first pre-season. She said, “Oh my god, it is so intense! There is a huge gap. When you go from Jamaica to England there are a lot more resources, training is harder, and then it’s another huge step up again to Australia. And I was lucky to have another Jamaican with me in the team, which made the whole thing seem better.”
Latanya Wilson (right) feels fortunate to have Jamaican teammate Shamera Sterling at the Thunderbirds Image May Bailey.
Wilson initially moved in with her first host family, the Packers, and now lives with the Sandersons, which she said has made a massive difference to her comfort levels. “It’s like being away from home but still at home. They have two girls who make it extra special. They will leave me small notes on my door or on my bed.
“When I’m having a tough day or week, or a hard time at training, to get those small notes makes me feel appreciated and it reminds me of home, because my mum and my siblings are also really supportive.”
Home for Wilson was Kingston, where she started life with her mum and eight siblings. Wilson describes her mum as her biggest inspiration, and said, “She’s such a hard working person. She always puts on a brave face, and makes life work. I’m here because of all the hard work and sacrifices she made, and that inspires me and makes me want to do well, so I can pay her back one day.”
Wilson laughs as she says that life at home can be a ‘mess’. “Even if we didn’t have money, we have so much love, and that overcomes everything. We spend a lot of time together doing fun stuff as a family at home. It’s crazy, but it’s a good crazy.”
Her family was just one of many who lost their homes to widespread arson attacks in Kingston last year. Just three weeks after she helped Jamaica to a bronze medal at the World Championships, Wilson woke from a deep sleep to find her house ablaze, and escaped with her life, passport, computer and handbag. She was deeply uncomfortable with both the devastating loss, and the worldwide media attention that followed.
“To be thrown on the spot to do interview after interview was hard, and I hadn’t had time to process what happened. It was amazing to see all the help that was offered, because asking for help is the worst. I just had to tell myself that to control what I could.”
Mary Cholhok and Latanya Wilson sticking close together on Day 4 of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports
While Wilson does affirmations each day, controlling the controllable is a mantra that now shapes her life. She explained, “The fire started that in a sense. I’m a very private person, an inside person, I’m not out in the public, not out there.
“What I learned from the fire is that you won’t always have control over things, and that’s okay. So now if I’m not having a good day, or a good game, then I focus on what I can control.”
Wilson is still amazed by the outpouring of love and support she received from around the world. Teammate Eleanor Cardwell started the ball rolling with a fundraiser, but it wasn’t long before fellow athletes, fans, businesses and even the Jamaican government chipped in to offer their help towards finding a new home.
“I know that people support me as a netballer, but it hits differently when you are in an unfortunate situation. I feel loved and appreciated, it was amazing what El did for example, so to see that love and care coming towards you, it’s different.”
Having a strong faith also helped during the crisis, as God is central to Wilson’s life. She explained, “All the good stuff happening to me is not by chance, He has given me this amazing opportunity, and to be a role model, to go to university. I will pray before a game, I speak to him like a friend, and I’m never afraid to go back and say thanks.”
Jamaican and Thunderbirds teammates celebrating their heritage during Inclusion Round. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media
As part of the most feared defensive combination in Suncorp Super Netball, with Sterling and Tilly Garrett rounding out the trio, Wilson has signed a contract extension with the Thunderbirds that will take her through to the end of 2026. While winning last year’s grand final helped the decision, Wilson feels the club is the best place for her to be.
“Thunderbirds celebrate our (Jamaican) culture, and also Eleanor’s when she was with the team last year.
“It means they have accepted us as people, respect where we are from, and the way they show that means so much to Shammy and me.
“We get a chance to express ourselves, to dance, to bring our flair, to bring Jamaica to Australia.”
The respect goes well beyond the once yearly Inclusion Round, with team members learning how to dance, to play Jamaican games in the changing rooms, and some of the language.
“We use patois and the team embraces it with open arms. For example, we say, ‘Wah gwaan’, which means ‘What’s Up’. We also teach them some naughty stuff as well, and they teach us slang too. Like we put ‘mate’ on everything these days.
“‘Wah gwaan, mate!’
“I’ve taught Tania how to say friend, so she always says, ‘Hey friend’ in patois. Cathy is the same. Girls like Tilly and Schez (Laura Scherian) are Australian but Jamaican at the same time.”
As one of eight Jamaicans currently plying their trade in Australia, Wilson is proud of what it’s meant for her national team. She said, “There are no words that can describe how you feel when you put on that black, green and gold dress. You put on Jamaica. You are representing your country, your friends, your family, everyone.
“It’s such an honour and never in my wildest dreams did I think that at 23 I would have a silver (Commonwealth Games) and a bronze (World Cup) medal. In the squad we are building such connections and camaraderie, I feel like there is so much more we can give and we are working on that.
“The future looks bright for us.”
Image Gallery
Six of the eight Jamaicans playing Super Netball celebrate with a dance after the Fever v Thunderbirds clash. ©clixbymia_©Mia_Mammoliti_
The Sunshine Girls waiting for the bronze medal match to start at the 2023 Netball World Cup. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports
The Sunshine Girls celebrate with dance at the 2023 Netball World Cup, after beating the Silver Ferns. Image Danny Dalton/Tah Dah Sports.
Latty Wilson pulls in a screamer. Image Kirsten Daley.
Latty Wilson continuing to challenge every wing attack or goal attack she comes across. Image May Bailey
Shamera Sterling and Latty Wilson showing their dance moves. Image: Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media
Latty Wilson gets airborne over Kiera Austin’s shot. Image Kirsten Daley
Latty Wilson pulls in an intercept over Chelsea Pitman. Image Hannah Howard/On the Ball Media
