Screening for the national Under-23 netball team began on Tuesday in Port-of-Spain and for both the U-23 and U-16 at Shaw Park, Tobago, all from 5 pm.
The sessions will take place at the Queen's Park Savannah, opposite the Botanical Gardens and will continue on Wednesday and Sunday according to T&T Netball Association (TTNA) president Sherry-Ann Blackburn with some stipulations concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Blackburn advised that leagues and persons interested in being screened are invited to attend while observing the strict guidance of COVID 19 protocols at sessions and should walk with proof of vaccination.
"With regards to U-23 training, all clubs are invited to send players under the age of 23 and for screening in Tuesday 7th December 5 pm at the Queen's Park Savannah, opposite the entrance of the Botanical Gardens. All persons vying for a place to be screened must be fully or in the process of being fully vaccinated to be considered," she said.
The U-23 netballers are asked to wear white tops and black shorts or tights and mask for sessions which will be under the guidance of an interim technical staff named by the TTNA, recently.
International umpire Joel Young-Strong will serve as the coach with former national shooter Simone Morgan functioning as the assistant coach along with trainer Wayne Samuel and managed by Vanessa Forde, a former senior team manager.
Screening sessions for the U-16 squad in Trinidad is carded to take place at the Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair, Port-of-Spain on Saturday (December 11) from 3.30 pm to 6 pm. Players are again asked to wear white t-shirts and black shorts or tights and a mask.
An interim team has also been installed to run the sessions including current national senior team assistant coach Kemba Duncan, a former national defender, with two assistant coaches Kyla Keith and Kielle Connelly, another former national defender. Grace Parkinson- Griffith, a past national senior coach, will operate as manager and Steve Edwards is the trainer.
For netballers in Tobago desirous of trying out for both U-23/U-16 should attend training at Shaw Park on Tuesday (December 7) from 3.30 pm and follow the same instructions (white tops, black shorts or tights and mask).
The teams are being prepared for international competitions carded for next year.
The U-16 team will compete in the Caribbean Netball Association (CNA) Jean Pierre Junior Championships in Barbados. The development tournament will take place from April 9-17.
The other youth team is set to compete in the Caribbean Games (U-23 tournament) carded for Guadeloupe from June 29 - July 3.
According to Blackburn, both squads are expected to train at Nelson Mandela Park, once permission is obtained. In the interim, they train at the Savannah.
The U-23s will train on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays from 5 pm and U-16 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 pm.
Also on the TTNA's calendar of events which will all be held virtually, is the Americas Netball Day, which will be celebrated on January 8, the TTNA Awards Ceremony on January 16 and the annual general meeting (AGM) in February.
The senior team will compete at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England from July 26 - August 6 and the Netball World Cup qualifier in Jamaica from October 14-22.