Trinidad and Tobago netballer Kalifa McCollin is aiming to shoot her way to the top for Celtic Dragons in the Vitality Superleague.
McCollin, nicknamed ‘Kali’, is a key player for Dragons, who open the 2017 Superleague season at home against Team Bath on Saturday.
That fixture, being played at Cardiff’s Sport Wales National Centre (4pm) is already a sell-out.
McCollin is a big signing for Celtic Dragons and head coach Trish Wilcox says: “Kalifa is a vibrant, young player, who displays consistent shooting accuracy. We are delighted to have signed her as a Dragon.
“With Kalifa’s creativity and critical thinking skills on court, she will be a fantastic addition to the Celtic Dragons family.”
McCollin, who made her T&T senior international debut at the age of 17, has played in the Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup.
“This opportunity is what I’ve always dreamed about,” says the 5ft 10ins shooter. “Netball is my passion.”
McCollin, 21, started playing netball for Soul City Sports and Cultural club near her family home at the age of six. She moved through the ranks of the national representative teams from the Under-16 to senior level.
Her debut on the World netball stage was at the Netball World Youth Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2013. McCollin has gone from strength to strength, and boasted a 92 per cent shooting average at the end of the Netball World Cup in Australia, 2015.
Dragons have also signed centre court player Stacey Peeters, who previously played for Southern Steel in New Zealand.
After four seasons with Steel the 24-year-old Peeters decided on a move abroad, saying: “I like it was my time to go out and see the world, but in saying that I wasn’t quite finished with netball and still enjoy that team environment.
“Signing for Dragons gives me the best of both worlds.
“I’m really excited to link up with the Celtic Dragons and play in Superleague. After chatting with the coach (Trish Wilcox), I’ve joined a team with the same values as Southern Steel.”
Dragons are among 10 teams competing in Superleague and their opening fixture is against five-times champions Team Bath.
Captain Suzy Drane and he Dragons were bitterly disappointed with their seventh-placed finish last year, but are intent on a big improvement this time.
Celtic Dragons: Kalifa McCollin, Stacey Peeters, Lois Rideout, Suzy Drane (capt), Kelly Morgan, Kyra Jones, Sara Bell, Bethan Dyke, Fern Davies, Lydia Hitchings, Leila Thomas, Eleanor Roberts.
See Celtic Dragons full fixture list under ‘Green Army’ story in the netball section.