T&T’s Calypso Netballers will continue preparations for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, by participating in a four-nation series involving England, Wales and hosts South Africa.
The event will take place from October 20-25 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa.
England are currently ranked third in the world, South Africa are sixth, Wales eight and T&T, ninth.
Details have yet to be released, though it appears each team will play each other twice. It will follow South Africa’s three-test September tour of England where the Proteas will face the all ANZ Championship backline of Geva Mentor, Eboni Beckford-Chambers and Jade Clarke.
Meanwhile, T&T was placed in a tough six-team Pool B for the Commonwealth Games when the draw was made in Glasgow, yesterday.
T&T will come up against World Champions Australia, England, South Africa, Wales and neighbours Barbados while New Zealand, Jamaica, Malawi, Scotland, Northern Ireland and St Lucia will compete in Pool A.
Also in the news, national under-21 netball team goal shoot Samantha Wallace was highlighted for a solid performance at the Seventh International Netball Federation World Youth (Under-21) Championship in Scotland.
Wallace was named in the top ten players by Web site Netballscoop.com which described her as a star for the future. In addition to Wallace, the other players singled out were Chelsea Lewis (Wales), Lisa-Marie Wiese (South Africa), Natalie Haythornthwaite (England), Khadijah Williams (Jamaica), Raijieli Daveua (Fiji), Shamera Sterling (Jamaica), Shonica Warton (Barbados), Thristina Harwood (Jamaica) and her compatriot Vangalee Williams (Jamaica).
The article read: “One of the best players of the tournament without a doubt, Wallace is a magnificent athlete who can play at both ends of the court and at goal attack, goal shooter and goal keeper. Wallace has missed selection in the senior side the last few years in favour of goal shooters who are tipping 40. This is unacceptable.
“Wallace can play at goal attack, with a taller more senior player behind her at shooter. The senior team could also use her at goal defence. For the fledgling “Calypso Girls”, Wallace is the way of the future. If not Samantha, you are welcome to move to Australia.”