Under-21 netballers lose thriller to Barbados, face Jamaica in semifinals

The Trinidad and Tobago Under-21 netballers face their toughest test yet of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup qualifying tournament on July 13 when they go up against regional powerhouse Jamaica in the semi-finals from 3.30 pm.

The victor meets the winner of the other semi-final tie between Barbados and Grenada, and the two losers battle it out for third place.

The top three teams automatically advance to the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, from September 19-28, 2025.

In their final Pool A match against Barbados in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, on July 12, TT were edged 45-44 in a nail-biter. If they were victorious, TT would have faced a weaker Grenada in their semi.

However, the Calypso Girls did well to claw back in the contest after going 6-0 down in the early stages of the opening quarter. At the end of the first period, Barbados led 11-6.

TT shaved the deficit by one point in the second quarter and entered half-time trailing 22-18. Likewise, after the third segment, TT trailed by three points this time, and entered the final quarter 34-31 behind.

TT showed fight in the final period, and with three minutes to go, drew level at 42 apiece. One minute later, TT took the lead for the first time and went 43-42 up.

Undeterred, Barbados drew level once more with 90 seconds to go. The Bajans scored again to regain control in the final minute of the match.

TT tied (44-44) things up once more with 30 seconds left on the clock but with Barbados in control in the dying seconds, they scored again, and shut out TT.

Before this loss, TT won all their matches against Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe and St Maarten.