Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Horizon, Phoenix Phury and Valencia Eagles will have some silverware to show for their exertions over the school vacation, as they claimed the three titles at stake in the 2025 Republic Bank Laventille Netball League.
Horizon beat Buss It Ballerz to the B Division title while Phoenix Phury finished ahead of Epiphany Morvant Anglican in the Kiwi Division. And in the Beginners Division, Valencia were too much for Arima United who they swamped 11-1 in an open but scrappy affair at the Nelson Mandela Park Public Courts in St Clair.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
“[Their] preparation was good, their attitude was good,” said Valencia coach Sharon Fyfe. “I have no problems with these girls.”
Their shooting was pretty good too. Both teams were enthusiastic and determined from the start. However, the nerves were obvious too.
There were misplaced passes, fumbled catches, missed chances, and hurried efforts. But, crucially, only one team consistently sank shots.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
By halftime, both east teams had a similar number of shots. Yet Valencia led 5-1. And the Eagles, steadier in the key moments, pulled away in the second half to complete a comprehensive victory.
“It was still a really good experience for them,” said Arima United coach Victoria Joseph. “The girls really tried; they were so nervous today. They weren’t able to play at their best.”
If the coaches were disappointed, it never showed during or after the game, as their words of encouragement continued throughout.
And despite the heavy defeat, her players were soon in high spirits again—cartwheeling and playing around after their post-match team talk.
“Vikki [Joseph] worked really hard with the girls,” said Arima head coach Jacqueline Morris. “I couldn’t ask for anything more from her and the group.”
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
It is a costly exercise for the east-based teams. Fyfe’s pride in her team’s performance and composure was maybe dimmed slightly by the challenges in participating.
“We are lucky our driver is kind,” said Fyfe. “He doesn’t charge us the full amount. It is still difficult because not everyone can keep paying for transport.”
Title secured, the Valencia girls quickly organised their belongings, had some refreshments and, with little fanfare, hopped into their maxi to head home.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
Republic Bank’s patronage ensures that Trinidad and Tobago’s future netballers get a test of competition action. But naturally, there are challenges for club administrators and athletes alike.
“We sometimes have two games per week,” said Joseph, as she revealed Arima’s daunting travel budget. “It is not an easy situation at all.”
Toco Police Youth Netball Club coach Suzette Kelly pointed to the time spent in transit.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
“We had to leave home at 11 o’clock this morning to make sure we got here in time for our game [at 3.30pm],” said Kelly. “I do not like to be late for anything.”
Toco participated in the Beginners Division of the Laventille Netball League, which is the first step on the ladder for first-time players. The Kiwis players are also new to the game but have shown a bit more proficiency.
The idea is to attract and encourage new players, particularly from the primary schools.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
“This league is the only league that starts the Kiwis stage from primary school level,” said Kelly. “I don’t have any Kiwis this year, but the community programme from the Ministry of Sport will help us attract girls from the primary schools in the area.
“When these girls progress onto the next level, we will have a group ready to step up in their place.”
Toco were victorious in their closing game of the Republic Bank Laventille Netball League, which came in the third-place playoff as they defeated the Maraval Police Netball Youth Club 9-4.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
Toco’s goal attack Terilya Lara proved the difference for the girls from the island’s north-eastern tip. Her movement and accurate shooting, ably supported by goal shoot Daniella Balchan, separated the sides in an otherwise scrappy encounter.
“Stop slapping the ball away!” Maraval coach Ria Roach yelled at her goal defence Makaiia James and goalkeeper Adesha Criss. “You can catch it too!”
Such was Lara’s ability, though, that the Maraval defenders clearly did not want to take any chances.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
Kelly praised the upgraded Mandela Park court after the game and acknowledged the importance of the youth competition too. However, she also challenged the relevant administrators on the playing conditions.
“The safety of the girls is important,” said the Toco coach. “I don’t know what needs to be done, but it doesn’t take much moisture to make the court dangerous.”
As the afternoon wore on, attention shifted from the Beginners to the more seasoned A and Inter Division players.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
Cardinals, Phoenix Phury, Transcend and Hill Girls all took the court, with the step-up in pace and physicality clear to the onlookers.
Phoenix’s goal shoot Neriba Williams dominated her match, scoring all her team’s goals in their 6-2 win over Transcend.
In another contest, Jacinda and Joelle Best led the Hill Girls to a 9-2 victory over Cardinals, with an all-round display of athleticism and attacking pressure. Credit too to Hill Girls defenders Allison Young and Ize-Tao Best who gave nothing away, consistently shutting down Cardinals attacks.
Photo: Dirk Allahar/ bCreative/ Wired868.
The remaining games went by with the quiet efficiency of a well-oiled machine, aided by the clear weather. The officials kept things moving forward with minimal fuss.
For the next few weeks, these more experienced teams will contest the A, Inter, Premier and Men’s divisions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
But, on the bright Saturday afternoon of 16 August, it was the girls from Valencia Eagles who wore the brightest smiles—champions of the Republic Bank Laventille Netball League Beginner Division.
Diamond Vale Government Primary School broke the recent private school stranglehold on the primary school water polo competition, as they Read more
Four rising stars, among them two Carifta Games champions, have booked their spots at the Junior Pan American U20 Athletics Read more
QPCC, Trendsetter Hawks, Ball Blasters Youth Academy and Pro Series snagged a trophy apiece as the 2025 Republic Bank National Read more
Trinidad and Tobago’s track and field stakeholders are pleading with the private and public sector to support the local sport, Read more
Ethan Collier emerged as the star of the 2025 Republic Bank Junior Golf Open Championships at St Andrew’s Golf Club Read more
Fatima College edged out St Mary’s College 16-15 in an instant classic to win the Male Open title at the Read more
