Netball Super League | Vitality Netball Superleague Watch: Trinidad and Tobago vs Fiji Pearls

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 25: during the Vitality Netball Superleague match between Celtic Dragons and London Pulse at the Sport Wales National Centre on March 25, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images for England Netball)

All ten Vitality Netball Superleague sides are being represented at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool this July. A trio of Superleague stars were selected to play for Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji Pearls, and each could play a part when these two nations meet on Sunday 14 July.

The Lowdown

The 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup will bring the most successful sides in netball together and not many come more successful than Trinidad and Tobago. In 1979, they become the only nation other than Australia and New Zealand to win the World Cup. Since then, they have appeared in 13 of the 14 editions of the tournament. Affectionately known as the Calypso Girls, Wesley Gomes’ team went through their regional qualifiers undefeated to book their place in Liverpool.

Fiji, meanwhile, have qualified for the last five editions of World Cup but this will be their first in England. Their greatest finish was sixth in 1999 and they managed to finish seventh at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. They are not unfamiliar to tangible success, however, winning at the South Pacific Games every year since 1991.

VNSL Players involved

Dee Bolakoro (Fiji Pearls & Celtic Dragons)

Despite Fiji’s consistent presence at the World Cup, this will be Dee Bolakoro’s first taste of the competition. The 34-year-old goal defence, who can also play at wing defence, helped Celtic Dragons reach their highest Vitality Netball Superleague finish in recent years.

Kalifa McCollins (Trinidad and Tobago & Celtic Dragons)

Vibrant, athletic and accurate, goal attack Kalifa McCollins will captain Trinidad and Tobago this summer. The 23-year-old has been a standout player for Celtic Dragons and was recently rewarded with a place in the league’s All-Star VII. McCollin scored 419 goals last season and achieved a 92% shooting average at the 2015 World Cup.