Netball Super League | Greene-Noel announces Trinidad and Tobago as one to watch at the 2023 World Cup

Shaquanda Greene-Noel is bringing the dragon fire to Trinidad and Tobago ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

The Calypso Girls finished 11th last time out in Liverpool and the Celtic Dragons star knows her side need to evolve if they are to rival the top teams in the world, teaching her players everything she’s learnt in the Netball Super League to help them improve.

A second-place finish at last month’s World Cup qualifiers cemented Trinidad and Tobago’s spot in South Africa, fuelling Greene-Noel’s hopes of a top ten finish next summer.

“I’m so buzzing and ecstatic about our performance at Qualifiers coming off the back of a disappointing Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“When we came back home we knew that it wasn’t our best performance. It was mentally tough and we started to question whether we’re good enough.

“I’m expecting a much better performance than last World Cup.”

🐉💪🔥 https://t.co/IEU8U9ZS04

— Celtic Dragons (@celticdragons_) November 3, 2022

“But we understood that bonding as a team off-court is one of the things that helps you on the court, in the past we didn’t pay much attention to that.

“That was one of the things that I brought back from the Dragons and explained to my team. That these were things we needed to do if we wanted to improve on court.

“So, in those few months between then and the Qualifiers we did a lot of off-court work and then when we came together as a collective, we started to smash it.

“Those changes from the top, combined with our natural talent, will make Trinidad and Tobago a force to be reckoned with.”

📩 INVITES INCOMING!

Congratulations to all 16 teams that have qualified to be invited by World Netball to the @NetballWorldCup 2023 in Cape Town South Africa👏

We can’t wait to see you all in action! #NWC2023 | #RoadToCapeTown pic.twitter.com/pkX3izlnbu

— World Netball (@WorldNetball_) October 24, 2022

Greene-Noel might be bringing Welsh fire to the Caribbean, but she’s also bringing Caribbean flair to Wales.

The defender sees marked differences between the Caribbean brand of netball compared to the British style that often dominates the Netball Super League.

“The Caribbean offers a whole new type of play. When people see me play in the Super League, I know that I gain a lot of fans just by being myself,” she said.

“We play with a lot of flair. We love trying new things and if you’ve seen Kalifa McCollin or Samantha Wallace play in the Super League before then you will see that it’s a different brand of netball.

“It’s something exciting and something that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

“Of course, the game in the UK is exciting but the play the Caribbean girls add definitely something worth watching.”

Player of the Tournament at the recent AFNA World Cup Qualifiers. 🥺. Thank You God. pic.twitter.com/XlVYQd6Mmh

— Shaquanda Greene-Noel (@QuandaNoel) October 25, 2022

Greene-Noel has re-signed for the Dragons for the 2023 season and is excited to get back on the court after a tough 2022.

And with her mind fully focused on what’s to come, the defender has warned that we will see a new and dangerous Shaquanda Greene-Noel come the start of the NSL season.

“The Dragons are a family and that’s the thing that drew me back to sign for them for the 2023 season.

“It was how much they cared for me off court.

“They care about Shaquanda Greene-Noel as a person before they care about me as a player and that brings the best out of me.

“Last year I was just trying to survive the season whereas this year I’m playing for me and I’m really excited to see what that looks like.

“I want to put the work in, I want to be creative, and I want to prove myself on court. And I’m a dangerous Shaquanda when I’m thinking that way.”