TT ‘Calypso Girls’ n-ballers on a mission

TRINIDAD and Tobago have named their 12-member “Calypso Girls” netball team for this year’s 21st edition of the Caribbean Netball Association Championships to be held here at the Jean Pierre Sports Complex, starting July 31. Our “Calypso Girls” netballers will be on a mission this time, to reclaim the Dr Eric Williams Trophy they have not won for the past 11 years when they shared the title with St Vincent and Barbados, this following a run of ten consecutive titles. But the mission will not be easy, since arch-rivals and world #3 ranked team Jamaica, and defending champions Barbados, ranked #7 are in the fray along with St Vincent #13 and St Lucia #16.

At last year’s 11th World Netball Championships in Kingston, Jamaica,  the hosts crushed Trinidad and Tobago 89-30. The “Calypso Girls” netballers begin their mission against Grenada. Admission is $20 each day, but season tickets will cost $150. Technical director Stevenson Sarjeant and his selection panel named Janelle Barker (capt), Sonia Jack (vice-capt), Tricia Liverpool, Jenelle Mayers, Racquel Russell, Chrystal George, Natalie Pierre, Simone Morgan, Simone Sandy, Haajar Noreiga, Dianna Pierre and Anastascia Wilson in the squad. Other members of the selection panel were Janet Bailey, Debbiue Ann Francois, Austrid Archer along with coach Learie “Fruits” Sandy and assistant coach Althea McCollin.

Manageress of the squad is again Donna Cox, with Sheldon Joseph physiotherapist. Only four members of the “Calypso Girls” netball squad from last year’s world championships have survived; new skipper Barker, Liverpool, Wilson and Morgan. Gone are Denesha Moses, Glenis Hall, Stacy Sparks, Anika La Roche, Rhonda John, Lystra Solomon, Carlette Nurse and Soujourner “Suzie” Hyles. Goal-shoot Barker, 26, who has been among the top ten on average in her category at the tenth WNC in Christchurch, New Zealand, and again last year takes over from Solomon. The 12-member team is expected to begin live-in camp tomorrow at El Dorado Youth Camp. Here are the opening round fixtures: Court 3 — Trinidad and Tobago vs Grenada, 5.45 pm; Court 2 — Jamaica vs St Kitts, 6 pm; Court 1 — Barbados vs Nevis, 6.30 pm; Court 4 — St Vincent vs St Lucia, 6.45 pm.