TO represent one’s country in one sport is a great achievement. To represent one’s country in four different sports is nothing short of remarkable, but that’s the distinction that Simone Forbes holds.

Often seen as being the ultimate athlete, Forbes, who is now senior netball captain, has also been on Jamaican national football, volleyball, and softball teams as well as played a fifth sport — basketball.

In fact, she attended Mercy College in New York earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Management on a volleyball scholarship. She was also vice-captain of the football and volleyball teams.

Still, she makes no apology when she admits that in her heart, one ranks way above the rest.

“Netball is my favourite. It was my first sport and right now it’s the only one. Netball has been my door to my opportunities,” the 28-year-old told the Observer.

Forbes has indeed grown in her 12 years as a national netball player. From her first foray into national duties as a member of the Under-21 team which won silver at the World Youth Championships in Wales in 2000, to bronze medals at the World Championships in Kingston and Auckland, New Zealand in 2003 and 2007, and at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England in 2002.

Her most recent success was as captain of the Sunshine Girls squad that won silver at the inaugural FASTNET World Series in Manchester last October.

“I do feel like I’ve been playing forever and I do love it,” Forbes shared. “I have grown in the JNA (Jamaica Netball Association). I don’t know if they look up to me more than any other captain (but) netball has been my other family.”

Forbes admits that luck has played a role in her being able to balance playing four sports nationally.

Unbelievable as it may seem, with the numerous tournaments and events on the sporting calendar, she has only ever had a clash of schedules once and that only affected two days of competition.

“Luckily I have had no clashes where I had to choose one sport,” she said.

Forbes says finding a balance among the five has not been as difficult as it may appear to the outsider because of her genuine love and joy of playing sport.

“Once you are an athlete, it’s easy to learn another sport,” she said.

“Whenever I’m playing either on the field or on the court or wherever, it’s like I’m in a different zone and it’s all about that at the time.”

The national goalshooter is often a delight to watch on a netball court. A fleet-footed bundle of energy bounding here, there and everywhere, confounding the opposition, but she admits there are a few players that she likes to watch herself.

New Zealand netball captain Irene Van Dyk and Australian captain Sheryl McMahon and former Chicago Bulls basketballer Michael Jordan, who is her favourite all-time athlete.

Forbes, who was honoured for her achievements at Caymanas Park last Saturday during Bigga Jamaica Oaks Raceday, does not see an indefinite future in sport.

“I have slowed down and eventually I will not stop completely, but retire,” she said. “There are other things that I want to do and I won’t be able to do them if I continue playing at the rate at which I am going.”

She intimated that that time might be right after next year’s World Netball Championships in Singapore where the Sunshine Girls are aiming to win their first gold medal at international competition.

“After 2011 World Championships I think it’s time to lend or give away my shoe,” she stated.