00:00Are netball teams in this region closing the gap on Trinidad and Tobago?
00:05Following the Under-19 Netball World Cup Qualifier which took place in Guadalupe, coach of the
00:09team Khalifa McCullin-Lopez was asked if she was concerned about the close margin of scores
00:15in the tournament, especially against the Barbados which they lost 45-44, a team they
00:21may have easily defeated in the past.
00:23Well, I had them for three months, you know, so it was really interesting to see them against
00:30those very competitive squads, you know, so I am, yes, I am happy that the gap is closing
00:38because most times you play those teams, it ends in a blowout, so, you know, having that
00:42sort of competitiveness within the region I think is always a good thing.
00:47In one of the matches TNT defeated the hosts Guadalupe 1-0-6 to 4, McCullin says she was
00:52happy with the win but needed to emphasise the importance of humility to the players.
00:57For me, again, I would have seen on court, I saw some of our players, you know, celebrating
01:05and I think it was kind of like a slap to the face for the other team, so when they
01:09came off on, I think that was in the third quarter, I had to, you know, pull them up
01:13about it because, again, though we are here to win, they are also developing, they are
01:19a developing nation and you don't want to put anybody down regardless of what the score
01:23looks like.
01:24So, you know, after the match I spoke to the coaches and, you know, I just let them know
01:28that they were doing a fantastic job and keep working towards, you know, their goals.
01:34Now that they've qualified for the World Cup, they are hoping to have a few more warm-up
01:38matches before the tournament which takes place next year in Gibraltar.
01:43McCullin-Lopez added their goal is to get into the top 10 and that requires tough training.
01:50So, we definitely are going to focus on fitness and strength, so strength and conditioning.
01:57Again, the international standard is miles above what we have regionally, so we definitely
02:04have to ensure that those girls are strong enough and fit enough in preparation for Gibraltar.
02:11We have to tighten up on our structures, our set plays and things like that.
02:17But again, most of the focus in the upcoming months are going to be on finding a gym, ensuring
02:23that these girls are on a rigorous gym program.
02:27This is her first stint at coaching the national team and she explains her decision behind
02:32taking up the post on a volunteer basis.
02:35One of the reasons why I would have picked up the offer to coach the team was because
02:42I definitely wanted those girls to have a different experience than I did.
02:46I wanted to ensure that it was a healthy space for them to flourish and I hope that
02:54that is the type of impact that I made, as well as the other members of the coaching staff.
03:02What about you? Are you done playing?
03:07Excellent question.
03:08Only time will tell.
03:09That is all I can say right now.
03:11Only time will tell.
03:13So, are you looking forward to a new contract?
03:17How are you keeping yourself active in the meantime?
03:20Well, I know, obviously, you're coaching, but are you still playing?
03:23So, at the moment, I play in my home club, Soul City Sports and Cultural Club.
03:29So, I attend UTT.
03:31I play with UTT as well.
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