Lara, Kirk guide U

The loud drone of vuvuzelas and the rhythmic chants of “T-T-O” provided a deafening backdrop at the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWISPEC) in St Augustine, yesterday, as T&T’s Under-16 netballers opened the 22nd Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament with a comfortable 41-8 demolition of the Cayman Islands.

​Behind the sharp-shooting duo of Curlene Lara and Venus Kirk, the defending champion and hosts asserted their intent to keep the trophy on home soil.

Lara, commanding the circle as goal-shooter for three quarters, sank 19 goals of her 23 attempts. Kirk proved just as versatile, starting as goal-attack before shifting to shooter to close the match, chipping in with 18 from 26.

​The tournament, named in honour of the legendary Jean Pierre, began with a vibrant parade of seven nations—reduced from eight after the late withdrawal of St Kitts and Nevis. Despite a delayed start, the energy in the stands remained electric, setting the stage for a poignant feature address by former national coach Dr Bridget Adams.

​Reflecting on the 22-year history of the competition, Dr Adams reminded the young athletes that they were stepping into a storied tradition. “Twenty-two years is a milestone,” Adams said. “It means 22 years of fast passes, tough defence, and last-minute goals. This is the development stage of our netball in the history of the region.”

​Dr Adams invoked the spirit of Pierre, the Caribbean icon whose “skill, dedication, and love for the game” set the gold standard. “She inspired a generation of players to pick up a ball and lead it down the court,” Adams noted, urging the players to “compete with heart” and “leave everything out there.”

​The junior “Calypso Girls” certainly took that advice to heart. From the first whistle, T&T stifled the Cayman Islands with a suffocating defence. By the end of the first quarter, the host team held a commanding 12-1 lead. The gap only widened as the match progressed, with T&T heading into the half-time break up 24-2.

​The Caymanian side struggled to find rhythm against the agility of the T&T defenders.

Seriah Frederick was the lone bright spot for the visitors, scoring seven of their eight goals, but the supply line to the circle was frequently severed by the locals’ interceptions.

​While the atmosphere at UWI SPEC was celebratory, Dr Adams used her platform to address a “little disappointment” regarding the tournament’s location.

She noted the irony that a competition honouring Jean Pierre was not being held at the venue that bears her name.

​“The facility, as we all know, was renamed in her honour in the country where the tournament took place (previously),” Adams remarked, referring to the currently unavailable Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain.

However, she was quick to express gratitude to UWI SPEC for stepping in to facilitate the event, ensuring the “court remains open for the next generation.”

​As the final whistle blew with the score at 41-8, the boisterous home crowd rose to their feet, applauding the young T&T squad for its opening win.

Action continues today at the same venue from 4 pm.

Results

TTO 41 ( Curlene Lara 19/23, Venus Kirk 18/26, Akaida Muir 4/5, Zewditu Alexander 0/0) vs Cayman Islands 8 (Seriah Frederick 7/9, Lei’a Grizzel 1/3, Leila Turell 0/0)

Quarters: 1st 12-1, 2nd 24-2, 3rd 31-3 (All in favour of TTO).

Today’s matches

​Dominica vs Saint Lucia, 4 pm

​Antigua & Barbuda vs Cayman Islands, 5.30 pm

​Grenada vs Trinidad & Tobago, 7 pm