SETTING THE STAGE
Two years with no international netball is simply unheard of in the Pacific region.
In a group of countries where sport is central to their communities, COVID-19 left its mark in a way no one could have predicted.
So, when the opportunity to compete for national pride, athlete development and world netball rankings presented itself, the PacificAus Sports Netball Series was born.
Under the PacificAus Sports program and funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the series proposed to provide high-level competition for the national teams of Netball Australia’s PacificAus Sports partners Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga – and that’s exactly what it did.
Also participating in the series were invitees Singapore. In the lead up to the 2027 Netball World Cup, the series was the first time for these teams to compete internationally since the COVID-19 pandemic began and offered an opportunity to test team strategy ahead of the Oceania Netball World Cup Qualifiers in Fiji in July 2022.
Over six days, these five national teams were able to represent their countries, communities and families with pride, as they took to the netball court seeking experience, court time, tour and match practice, combinations and exposure.
SERIES WRAP
Coming into the series, Fiji was the highest ranked team, however, after a loss to Tonga on day one previewed a shake up across our Pacific sides.
Papua New Guinea opened its campaign with strength over Singapore, whose speedy connections weren’t quite enough to see a win over the four Pacific teams.
Samoa's blend of experience and youth saw them secure two wins for the week, but from the series’ commencement, the teams to beat were Fiji and Tonga.
Fiji had a reputation to uphold, while an unranked Tonga needed success to reclaim status on the international stage.
In a game of strategy and physicality, and a crowd behind both teams, the desire for a championship was made clear by the competitors.
Fiji Pearls Coach Unaisi Rokoura made a few changes in the second half against an unstoppable Tongan setup and fought hard to keep their goalers from scoring, but Tonga reigned supreme in all aspects, of attack and defense.
Fiji fought back in the dying minutes but it wasn’t enough, as Tonga walked away with an eight-goal Grand Final win, leading at all breaks.
Tonga’s Captain Hulita Veve and Uneeq Palavi shared the series Most Valuable Player Award, and Uneeq Palavi was awarded the Grand Final Most Valuable Player Medal.
Salote Sisifa, Tonga Netball Association CEO, said the victory held more meaning for their nation than most would understand.
“This win for Tonga was more than just netball, it has given national pride and hope for our people worldwide during the most difficult of times.”
PACIFIC PLAYERS ON THE HORIZON
Tonga
Uneeq Palavi - Tournament MVP, grand final MVP and tournament champion... what more can we say? She moves with precision and grace, and shoots from all over. Only greatness ahead for Palavi.
Hulita Veve - a deserved captain of Tonga and Tournament MVP with teammate Palavi. As long as Veve is involved, Tonga will go from strength to strength. Keep an eye out for her with the Queensland Firebirds in the Suncorp Super Netball too as a training partner.
Valu Toutaiolepo - in her debut for Tonga, Toutaiolepo was solid as a rock, contesting ball and creating havoc for her opposition.
Fiji
Ana Nauqe – injects herself into the games with some beautiful flow and feeds into the circle at a midcourt position.
Matila Vocea - dominates and demands ball in the circle, and switches up between holding, moving and rolling into space nicely.
Sereana Maragi - tall and assertive, she could really come in with leaps and bounds to further her defensive expertise with more opportunity on the court.
Samoa
Jessica Laga'aia - was beautiful to watch in her debut tournament, hitting the circle edge well and not afraid to take on the defence for space and prime feeding position.
Sheridan Stowers - making her national debut at such a young age, Samoa will want to hold onto her for the next 10-15 years. Playing both goal defence and goal keeper, she really made an impression on experienced shooters.
Malia Seumanutafa - she fits in nicely with her experienced teammates and is likely to show progression with each call up in the goals.
Papua New Guinea
Kailani Brazier - Brazier showed she is one for the future of Papua New Guinea, bringing a short, sharp style of play in change up to her shooting counterparts.
Michaela Kadlecek - played almost every minute of the tournament, taking on the plethora of mid-court talent in the competition and delivering some beautiful heads-up ball into the circle.
Hana Barretto - you can't go past co-captain Barretto as a player to watch. She was outstanding as both a tagger and disruptor in defence.
