T&T will start its bid for a maiden title at Caribbean Netball Association Jean Pierre Youth (Under-16) Championships when it faces Grenada in the final match of today's opening programme in Castries, St Lucia.
The Jayde Montoute-captained squad will take to the court at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, from 6.45 pm today against Grenada on Court One.
This after host and 2011 champions St Lucia meet Bermuda in the opener of the 15th edition, from 6.15 pm on Court One followed by 2005 and 2012 winner Barbados versus Dominica on Court Two, at 6.30 pm.
T&T, which had its best finish of runner-up in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2008, all to Jamaica will also meet St Vincent and The Grenadines (tomorrow), Dominican (April 13), Bermuda (April 13), Barbados (April 15) and St Lucia, a day later.
Speaking yesterday on the eve of the opening match for the young "Calypso netballers" coached by former national captains, Janelle Barker and her assistant Lystra Solomon-Simmons, team manager Lynette Duncan said the team was very focus.
"Since we arrived here on Tuesday the girls have been training twice daily and all that is left now is for us to get going on the court."
"We have not won the title before, but we feel very confident in our chances to go all the way this time," added Duncan.
The tournament was originally carded to be an eight-team event, but St Kitts/Nevis opted out earlier this week while defending champions and ten-time winners overall, Jamaica decided against defending its title.
Schedule
CNA Jean Pierre Youth (Under-16) Championship Tournament schedule:
Venue: Vigie Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, St Lucia
Today
St Lucia vs Bermuda, 6.15 pm
Barbados vs Dominica, 6.30 pm
T&T vs Grenada, 6.45 pm
Tomorrow
St Vincent & Grenadines vs T&T, 6pm
Grenada vs Bermuda, 6.15 pm
St Lucia vs Dominica
Monday–Session One
St Vincent & Grenadines vs Grenada, 7 am
T&T vs Dominica, 7.15 am
Barbados vs Bermuda, 8 am
Session Two
Barbados vs Grenada, 6.15 pm
T&T vs Bermuda, 6.30 pm
St Vincent & Grenadines vs St Lucia, 7 pm
April 14
Shooting Competition, 4.15 pm
Dominica vs Grenada, 6.15 pm
St Vincent & Grenadines vs Bermuda, 6.30 pm
Barbados vs St Lucia, 7 pm
April 15
T&T vs Barbados, 6.15 pm
St Vincent & Grenadines vs Dominica, 6.30 pm
Grenada vs St Lucia, 7 pm
April 16
Dominica vs Bermuda, 6 pm
T&T vs St Lucia, 6.15 pm
St Vincent & Grenadines vs Barbados, 7 pm
Closing Ceremony, 8 pm
Squad
T&T Under-16 netball squad: Tia Bruno, Kamaria Joseph, Tiana Dillon (vice-captain), Kerrie Scott, Jayde Mountoute (captain), Canice Jacob, Chiema Moses, Shereka Knights, Rayanna Bristol, Akeilah Hagley, Faith Haghley, Aliyah Bailey.
Technical staff: Janelle Barker (coach), Lystra Solomon-Simmons (assistant coach), Shurlan Bonus (primary care person), Lynette Duncan (manager).