Ministry Sports – By Neto Baptiste
Ministry Sports Names Squad
A 15-member squad has been selected to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the 2026 Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament in Trinidad from April 11-17.
The Antigua Girls’ High School (AGHS) dominates the selections with eight of the 15 players hailing from the all-girls institution. They are Zoree Benjamin, Tyana Telemaque, Tidonna Warner, Tina Graham, Azaliya Simon, Jada Martin, Agnita Forbes and Roy-anique Hector.
Three players from the Irene B Williams Secondary — Rochelle Ryan, Tiana Williams and Vileeka Roberts — are also included, while Makayla Scott of the Princess Margaret School (PMS), Tanisha Michael of Pares Secondary School (PSS), Anna Thompson of the Sir Novelle Richards Academy (SNRA) and Sasheel Lewin of Clare Hall Secondary School (CHSS) round off the selections.
Manager of the team and former national player, Candace Jones, is optimistic heading into the tournament given the level of preparation.
“It could be better, but we have some challenges because some of the girls have to go to lesson or classes in the evenings or in the afternoons and so we have to be practicing in the sun. Sometimes they’re reserving the energy so you’re still not getting the 100 percent. We’re trying to get in a few practice games in the evening when the sun goes down so that they can really put out the real energy. This is a better squad than last year, so we’re expecting great things from them,” she said.
Jones, who represented Antigua and Barbuda at the 2003 World Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, said they will work on some key areas of their game ahead of the tournament as they seek to improve on their last performance.
“Our shooting — and I think last year our shooting failed us — this year it’s much better, way better than it was last year so we’re just hoping that they hold the rein and put in the shots. I would advise them to be confident, play their game and do all that they can to uphold Antigua and Barbuda flag,” she said.
The team is being coached by Martha Joseph and assisted by Jamila Fitz.
Eight teams, including Antigua and Barbuda will compete for the title. The other teams are hosts and defending champions Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia.
Matches will be played at the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC) in Tunapuna, Trinidad.
