Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Girls head to Barbados for a qualifying tournament with two Sydney 2027 places available.
The Calypso Girls will compete in the eight-team tournament at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, which runs until October 26. The top two teams at the end of the round-robin competition will secure places at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, scheduled for August 25 to September 5.
Head coach Liselle Johnson has selected a 12-member squad that retains much of the team that won gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in August. Captain Kalifa McCollin is among the returning players.
The squad also includes England-based players Samantha Wallace-Joseph and Kira Rothwell, along with Shaquanda Greene-Noel, Maikea Bramble, Shantel Seemungal, Nekesha Gomes, Rayann Bristol and Jerecia McEachrane.
Veteran defender Crystal-Ann George, 42, returns to the national team after last representing Trinidad and Tobago in 2020. Defender Anecia Baptiste-Rodriguez and uncapped goal-shooter Pearl St John complete the squad.
The qualifiers will feature Trinidad and Tobago, hosts Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States. Jamaica will not take part in the regional qualifying tournament because the team has already secured qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
Trinidad and Tobago enter the competition after winning the Central American and Caribbean Games gold medal, defeating Jamaica 56–49 in the final. The Calypso Girls will now look to convert that regional success into a place at the sport’s premier international tournament.
Reporting is based on TTT News’ announcement of the 12-member squad and the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian’s report on the team’s departure and tournament preparations. World Netball confirmed the qualifying event dates, participating teams and qualification arrangements.