McCollin relishes return home, signs new pro contract

TT pro netballer Kalifa McCollin recently signed for Australia’s Collingwood Magpies.  - COURTESY KALIFA MCCOLLIN
TT pro netballer Kalifa McCollin recently signed for Australia’s Collingwood Magpies. - COURTESY KALIFA MCCOLLIN

After spending six months stuck in New Zealand and another six weeks grounded in Barbados, pro netballer Kalifa McCollin received her final travel exemption from the Ministry of National Security, on October 21, and arrived in TT on Saturday.

The 25-year-old is presently in quarantine at the Home of Football in Couva, until Friday, and eagerly anticipates returning to her Valsayn home after a lengthy time away.

McCollin previously plied her trade in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership League for pro team Southern Steel. In March, the competitive season was postponed and eventually cancelled owing to the covid19 pandemic.

Since then, the seasoned athlete has been inactive. In late August, she was lucky to secure a connecting flight to Barbados en route to TT. Upon arrival there, McCollin waited six weeks to receive her final travel exemption from the TT Government.

With much uncertainty surrounding her participation with Southern Steel for the coming season, the talented goal shoot admitted there was no real idea whether or not she would get back in to NZ or even be re-signed for 2021.

“I was blessed enough to be contacted by two Australian franchises. Over the past couple weeks, I had to weigh the pros and cons and finally committed to Collingwood Magpies for 2021. Funny enough, the day I put pen to paper (confirmed new contract), I received my travel exemption, and was able to get on a flight a week later,” she stated.

According to Collingwood Magpies’ website, McCollins was made an official player on the first day of the Super Netball contracting period and her inclusion has “strengthened their shooting circle”.

During her stint with Southern steel, she held an impressive 84 per cent shooting accuracy for the 2020 season. The experienced goal-attack formerly played three seasons in the United Kingdom’s Super League.

Last year, McCollin represented TT’s netball team, Calypso Girls, in the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool. This was her second national selection following the 2015 World Cup in Sydney.

Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League (SSN) resumes in April which should provide McCollin with ample time to chart her way there. She anticipates a new competitive experience down under.

“This would be my first time playing in the SSN. I know it’s going to be just as fast, physical and probably a lot more competitive because this competition has so many different players from across the globe who are going to offer many different styles of play and I’m looking forward to that.

“The SSN has a two point shot which also poses a new challenge and is a bit different to traditional netball, where it’s one point per shot. During my career, I’ve picked up a couple season MVP awards but I think it’ll be awesome to win a championship with my team,” she stated.

The pro athlete concluded, “In the meantime, the facilities are great at the Home of Football and the staff are very helpful. I was ecstatic when I was contracted and just felt at ease knowing that things were falling into place and that I’d be able to see my friends and family soon.”

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