‘Calypso Girls’ n-ballers off to Singapore

The week-long event begins on Sunday and ontinues until September 9, The “Calypso Girls” netballers will match skills with Sri Lanka, Canada, Northern Ireland and hosts Singapore. The Trinidadians are using the series as part of their preparation for the 12th World Netball Championships (WNC) in New Zealand from November 10-17.

Currently ranked 10th in the world, the “Calypso Girls” netballers are being coached by Grace Parkinson-Griffith, who was in charge of the when they played unbeaten at the WNC qualifying series in Barbados last August.

Looking ahead to the tournament in Singapore, Parkinson-Griffith said she would like to win the series.

“We want to leave Singapore winners to take us in to the World Championships with a hype,” said Parkinson-Griffith.

The “Calypso Girls” netballers who shared the world title with Australia and New Zealand in 1979, earlier this year appointed former Australian national player Sharon Finnan to the role of technical director.

Finnan, a member of the Aussies’ 1991 and 1999 World Championship teams, also expects big things from her charges at the series.

At the WNC in New Zealand, the “Calypso Girls” netballers will play in Pool B which also includes World No 2 Australia, Samoa and Scotland.

Hosts New Zealand are in Group A with Wales, Malawi and Botswana. World No 3 Jamaica, Fiji, Singapore and Cook Islands are in Group C and Group D comprises England, South Africa, Barbados and Malaysia.

The TT squad: Janelle Barker, Rhonda John-Davis (capt), Simone Morgan, Simone Sandy-Bowen (vice-capt), Joelisa Cooper, Kemba Duncan, Anastasia Duncan, Donna Elise Charles, Crystal George, Lystra Zamore, Natalie Pierre, Gabrielle Selmon, Anika La Roche, Sonia Jack, Tricia Liverpool.

Officials: Grace Parkinson-Griffith (coach), Sharon Finnan (technical director) Francesca Rosseau (manageress), Dave Bobb (trainer).

Fixtures: September 3 - Singapore vs Canada; TT vs Sri Lanka;

September 4 - Canada vs TT; Singapore vs Northern Ireland.

September 5 - Northern Ireland vs TT; Sri Lanka vs Canada.

September 6 - Northern Ireland vs Sri Lanka; TT vs Singapore

September 7 - Canada vs Northern Ireland; Singapore vs Sri Lanka

September 8 - Third and fourth place play-off; Final.