Kira Rothwell to represent Trinidad and Tobago at CAC Games

Netball Players Association member and Super League shooter and wing attack, Kira Rothwell will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games this summer, in what will be her first multi‑sport games experience. The CAC Games are a major event across the Americas and Caribbean, bringing together thousands of athletes across dozens of sports in an environment that Kira describes as feeling “similar to the Commonwealth Games but for the Americas and Caribbean.”

Kira’s selection for Trinidad and Tobago caps a significant chapter in her international journey after years in the England age‑group pathway and England Futures/England A programmes. “Playing at a Commonwealth Games or a World Cup was always my dream with England, because that’s the system I grew up in,” she explains. “That hasn’t happened yet, and then this opportunity from Trinidad came and it was like, why wouldn’t I do it? I’m very grateful.”

Heritage and eligibility

Kira qualifies to represent Trinidad and Tobago through her father, who was born there and holds Trinidad and Tobago citizenship. “My dad was born there, so he has his passport, so I get a passport via him,” she says. “I only got my passport sorted this year, and it’s always been in the back of my mind, but I’d never taken the jump.”

The process began around three months ago when Kira reached out to a player she knew, who connected her with the national head coach. “Once the head coach had shown she was interested and wanted me to be on the team, it was a case of her and other coaches and selectors in Trinidad watching me to check that I was good enough and fit in the team,” Kira explains. From there the paperwork moved through Netball Trinidad and Tobago and the national Olympic Committee to secure approval for her switch.

Alongside her Trinidadian roots, Kira talks about a wider Caribbean connection within her life and sport. Her dad spent much of his childhood in Barbados, and more recently her boyfriend has represented Jamaica in diving. “I feel like the Caribbean identity and community is really starting to form and I’m excited to explore it more,” she says.

NPA support through the transition

Kira turned to the NPA early in the process to help navigate deadlines, eligibility and communication with national bodies. “I first came to you quite early on because I know the NPA is confidential and you guys are amazing at helping us while speaking to lots of people,” she reflects. “We weren’t sure on the deadlines and thought we might have missed them. The NPA were amazing at helping me work out the deadlines from our side and giving general advice on how to go about it, how to speak to coaches and approach it.”

With much of the contact with Trinidad and Tobago happening over phone and text, having in‑person support from the NPA was crucial. “Having a sounding board who knows the netball world well and can advise on the best thing to do has been really important,” Kira says, highlighting visits to Birmingham and ongoing check‑ins as key parts of that support.

A confidence boost and fresh opportunity

Coming straight off an NSL season with Birmingham Panthers, Kira sees this selection as perfectly timed. “Super League and England, and elite sport in general, is so up and down,” she says. “I didn’t get to play as much as I wanted at Panthers this year, and it was a hard year for everyone. To have an opportunity like this off the back of it is so exciting – to go out to Dominican Republic, hopefully play some good netball with an amazing team and lots of players I already know.”

The welcome she has received from Trinidad and Tobago has already given her a lift. “It’s a massive confidence boost at a time I really needed it, that another nation is welcoming me in,” Kira shares. “The reception I’ve had from fans who I’ve never met and from the girls themselves has been so lovely and just makes me look forward to it even more.”

On court, she is clear about what she hopes to bring. “From what I’m hearing and seeing, the Trinidad and Tobago girls are so athletic, fast and composed on the ball, and they play with a calm composure,” she says. “As a goal attack or wing attack I often play with a lot of speed and hard drives. I’m excited to learn the flair they have, but also bring the clinical decision‑making I’ve grown up with – my strong drives into the circle, clear angles in attack, and playmaking and shooting strengths.”

Dual nationality and future ambitions

Kira hopes her journey encourages other dual‑nationality athletes to explore opportunities that allow them to compete at the highest level. “Ultimately we’re all elite athletes striving to play at the highest level,” she says. “If you grow up in one system but then get an opportunity to do that with another country, anyone who has that opportunity should take it. You learn different styles of play and it can only improve your game, so I would say go for it.”

Looking ahead, her ambitions with Trinidad and Tobago are already taking shape. “We’re so early on and I haven’t even met the team or coaches in person yet, so this is all optimistic,” she says. “We’ve talked briefly about World Cup qualifiers in October, with the aim of qualifying for the World Cup next year. I’ve got big ambitions and I’m really excited to do it with this team.”

The NPA is proud to support Kira through this next step in her international career and looks forward to watching her represent Trinidad and Tobago at the CAC Games and beyond.