Kamala Mangal
The Saint Lucia National Netball Association has named a 35-member training squad to prepare for the 2015 Caribbean Under-16 Tournament, which Saint Lucia is set to host.
The trial squad was picked based on the young athletes’ performances during the recently concluded Inter-Secondary Schools Tournament. In total, 13 schools have players on the squad.
Unlike the last under-16 squad, which was dominated by girls attending schools in the north of the island, this group includes 18 players from the south and 17 from the north.
Under-15 school champions Micoud Secondary understandably have the most representatives in the squad, including ace shooters Merkissa Theodule and Kianna Nelson, who also represented their school at the under-19 level, along with Darcelle Francis, Nadiege Edward and Nira Justin.
Soufriere Comprehensive were under-15 finalists and under-19 champions. They will have Laurina Nicholas, Megan Nestor, Tiffany Allain and Nicole Montoute in training for national selection.
Semifinalists in the lower age bracket were Sir Ira Simmons Secondary and Vieux Fort Comprehensive La Ressource. Janel Mathurin is in the side from SISSS, whilst VFCSS shooters Tanny William and Kertisha Williams join teammates Cassie Alcide and Cyrillia Charles.
Although they had to settle for bronze in the under-19 division, Corinth Secondary were ably led by the amazing Kamala Mangal, who has played for Saint Lucia at under-16 and under-23 in the past 12 months. She is joined on the squad by Veonce Weeks.
The SLNNA has announced its intention to convene a meeting with parents, school representatives, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports and Ministry of Education officials, together with the SLNNA Executive and technical team to chart the way forward for the smooth training sessions of these young athletes.
Secondary schools which did not take part in the schools tournaments are still invited to submit names of their potential athletes to netballstlucia@hotmail.com no later than 19 December 2014.
Saint Lucia finished last at the 2014 Caribbean Under-16 Tournament.
Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (La Resource) – Tanny William, Cassie Alcide, Cyrillia Charles, Kertisha Williams
Soufriere Comprehensive – Laurina Nicholas, Megan Nestor, Tiffany Allain, Nicole Montoute
Choiseul Secondary – Shaquille Frederick, Tenayestlgni Joseph, Griseldes Agdomar
Clendon Mason Memorial – Sherniqua Mathurin, Keyanna James
Micoud Secondary – Kianna Nelson, Merkissa Theodule, Darcelle Francis, Nadiege Edward, Nira Justin
Babonneau Secondary – Nigela Forde, Kaila Thomas, Bianca Alfred, Mildred Boyce, Kelly Edward
Corinth Secondary – Kamala Mangal, Veonce Weeks
St Joseph’s Convent – Amela Gill, Jamiah Everiste
Ciceron Secondary – Alvina Gonzague, Tyler James
Vide Bouteille Secondary – Sherel Williams, Debra Fletcher, Dayna Felix
Leon Hess Comprehensive – Dana Mathurin
Castries Comprehensive Secondary – Naomi Edward
Sir Ira Simmons Secondary – Janel Mathurin