Just two years ago, netball wasn’t at the forefront of Jolie Dixon’s mind. Now, just a matter of months into 2025, her achievements have proven her a rising star in the sport.

Dixon, 11, plays wing-attack and led Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA) to the International Netball Classic Under-12 title in Florida earlier this month. So impressive were her performances that she was named MVP of the tournament, attracting commendation from coaches, players and supporters.

“It was very shocking, I wasn’t expecting it. Just knew I had to play very hard to help my team bring home that U-12 trophy,” Dixon told the Jamaica Observer.

“The thing that made me stand out in this tournament is perfecting my passes to my teammates and sticking to the other team defenders making it harder for them to get the ball.”

Dixon also helped ECA create history last December when they finished third in the 2024 JISA Inter-Prep school competition, which was their highest-ever placing.

It’s a remarkable rise for Dixon, who only started taking the sport seriously at age 10, after struggling to get a grasp of the needed skills.

“The first time I played netball, it was hard because I didn’t know most of the rules. So I felt very uncomfortable playing among my peers who were very good and knew the game,” she said.

However, she says she fell in love with the sport after watching the Sunshine Girls in action. “Who I look up to in netball is the goalkeeper Shamera Sterling because she has great defending tactics, she is full of vibes and looks fun to be around,” Dixon said.

Dixon now trains at least twice per week while also representing the school in track and field and swimming.

Along with academics, her schedule seems packed but Dixon says she has everything under control.

“I manage my netball and schoolwork with making sure I go extra lessons on the days that I don’t have netball training,” she said. “I do this to ensure that I keep up with my schoolwork and prepare to pass my Pep Exams with good grades.”

While she may be getting most of the plaudits, Dixon prefers the spotlight to be on her team.

“A good teammate means helping your team out, always thinking about your team and not yourself,” she said.

Although having a great start to her netball journey and being inspired by Jamaica’s senior netballers, Dixon is unsure if she’d want to do it professionally.

“I feel like playing for the Sunshine Girls is a bit out of the way or way in the future, but I know for sure I want to play netball up to university level,” she said.

Regardless of her future, Dixon wants to encourage young girls like her.

“I would tell [them] to always believe in yourself and never let anyone get you down,” she said.

Dixon has also represented ECA in track, competing in several sprint events at the 2023 and 2024 Prep Championships at the National Stadium. She’s also a finalist in the Prep and Primary Swim Championships.