Netball Gold Medalists Discuss Victory and the Road Ahead for Trinidad & Tobago’s Sport

Port of Spain – On Wednesday’s “Human Impact” segment of Freedom 106.5 FM, host Tosca Martinez welcomed Miss Liesl Johnson, head coach of the women’s national netball team, and player Khalifa McCollin to the studio following their historic gold-medal win at the Caribbean Championships (CAC).

Johnson recounted the journey that led the team to the podium. “We started netball at six years old because both my parents were involved in the sport,” she said. “My mother was a national player-coach and my father the national captain of the men’s team, so I was born into a netball family.” She traced her development through the under-16, under-21 and senior squads, noting that she earned a spot on the senior team at sixteen.

Speaking about the championship, Johnson described the emotions of the final: “The feeling was ecstatic – we heard the final whistle and knew we had beaten Jamaica. It was a great moment of pride for the whole country.” McCollin, who played a key role in the tournament, echoed the sentiment, adding that the victory was a testament to the team’s dedication and hard work.

The conversation turned to the challenges facing netball in Trinidad & Tobago. Johnson emphasized the need for greater public and institutional support: “Netball doesn’t have the best history of winning, but we need support to produce the best athletes.” She urged fans and sponsors to attend games, promote the sport, and help build morale for all age groups, from youth to senior teams.

Both guests highlighted infrastructure shortfalls. Johnson explained that training venues are limited and often contested with club teams: “Finding space at the Jean Pia Complex is difficult. We sometimes have to compete with club schedules, which hampers our preparation.” She called for a dedicated national netball facility to give the sport the priority it deserves.

Regarding league development, Johnson noted that the domestic league runs from January to March, but visibility remains low. “We need more marketing – posters at bus terminals, media coverage, and community outreach,” she said. She also mentioned the existence of four local leagues (including one in Tobago) but stressed that players receive little or no financial compensation: “Most of us are volunteers; we love the sport, but a stipend would allow us to focus more on training.”

McCollin added that balancing sport with work and family responsibilities is a major hurdle, especially for women: “Many of us are mothers or hold full-time jobs. Without proper support, it’s hard to train twice a day or travel for matches.” Both agreed that recognizing netball’s achievements and providing modest stipends could help retain talent and elevate the game to professional standards.

The interview concluded with a call to action: “We need the community, the government, and private sector to step up. When people know what netball offers – its life-lessons, its role models, its potential for international success – support will follow,” Johnson affirmed.

The netball team’s gold-medal triumph has sparked renewed enthusiasm, but as Johnson and McCollin stressed, sustained investment and public engagement are essential to maintain momentum and ensure future generations of Trinidadian and Tobagonian girls can aspire to world-class success.