‘Calypso Girls’ on a mission

ALL preparations are complete, the gloves are off and it is now Caribbean Netball Association Championships time and the stated “Calypso Girls” netballers’ mission. The task —  return the Dr Eric Williams Trophy to Trinidad and Tobago. Last night, members of the six visiting teams —  champions St Vincent, Barbados, Jamaica, St Kitts, St Lucia, Nevis and hosts Trinidad and Tobago were guests of First Lady Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards, wife of President George Maxwell Richards, patron of the championships for the traditional candle lighting ceremony. And this afternoon it is action at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo when the “Calypso Girls” netballers begin their mission to regain that Dr Eric Williams Trophy. They open against St Kitts and are expected to dispose of the opposition quite easily.

But national coach Learie “Fruits” Sandy has warned his team about complacency. At a recent training session, Sandy told his team they must not take anything for granted. The “Calypso Girls” netballers begin their quest for the title they last won 11 years ago, after 10 consecutive grasp of the trophy on Court Three from 5.45 pm. And they are sure to be well supported by their knowledgeable home fans. Also today, Barbados take on Nevis on Court 2 from 6 pm, while St Vincent meet St Lucia on Court 1 from 6.30 pm. But while Sandy expressed great confidence in regaining the title, his and the “Calypso Girls” netballers job will not be easy, especially following their wretched display at last year’s 11th World Netball Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

Jamaica are now regarded as Caribbean netball queens, and enjoy a No 3 ranking in world netball, narrowly beaten 48-43 by dethroned champs Australia, so one can expect they will not easily surrender their diadem. Barbados who have had our measure in the recent past, are ranked No 7, and they too will be having their eyes on the prize. Then there are St Vincent who currently holds the prized Dr Williams Trophy, albeit in the absence of both Jamaica and Barbados, after whipping the “Calypso Girls” netballers 54-33 on that Thursday afternoon in Antigua in 2002.  There were no championship last year because of the World series in Jamaica. St Lucia cannot be discounted either, beaten by only seven goals by the “Calypso Girls” netballers 58-51, the same margin of victory we enjoyed over St Kitts 35-28.

Competition is expected to be fierce throughout the seven-day championships scheduled to end on August 7, as teams will also be playing for a chance to play in the 2007 world series in Fiji. According to the new International Federation of Netball Associations format, only the top five teams are automatic choices to play, along with the winners of five regional tournaments and another five to come from the runners-up and third placed teams in a cross regional series. Admission to today’s match and each day is $20, while season tickets cost $120. Trinidad and Tobago team —  Janelle Barker (capt), Sonia Jack, Tricia Liverpool, Janelle Mayers, Racquel Russell, Chrystal George, Natalie Pierre, Simone Morgan, Simone Sandy, Haajar Noreiga, Dianna Pierre, Anastasia Wilson.