Netball Australia, in partnership with the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, is proud to announce the release of For Court & Country, a new documentary capturing the remarkable journey of Pacific netball’s journey to the global arena.
The film follows five inspiring young athletes from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga as they represent their respective nations at the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar.
Directed by Pasifika-Australian filmmaker Taofia Pelesasa of Pelesasa Pictures, the 25-minute documentary is grounded in the production company’s mission to provide Pasifika storytellers with a culturally-centered, creative environment to share their voices.
“The opportunity to put Pasifika women on screen is not one that comes around very often and so being able to collaborate with PacificAus Sports on a project which put our women centre stage, was one I was so humbled to be part of,” Pelesasa shared.
“Sports like netball unite people across cultures. I admire what netball has done for Pasifika women through the years and am in awe of what Pasifika women continue to achieve on the court and what they continue to contribute to the sport.”
For Court & Country offers an intimate look at the determination, resilience, and pride of emerging athletes, exploring themes of cultural identity and the unifying power of netball.
Netball Australia’s Head of Market Development Sallee Caldwell reflected on the significance of this documentary in telling athlete stories.
“Through Netball Australia’s delivery of the PacificAus Sports program, we have the privilege of witnessing the program’s profound impact on so many netballers across the Pacific region and hearing their stories,” she said.
“This documentary gives audiences the opportunity to hear directly from these remarkable young women, to learn about their journeys, and to celebrate their achievements as they make their mark on the international sporting stage.”
For Court & Country is both a celebration of netball on the world stage and a tribute to the strength, resilience, and excellence of Pacific women in sport.
Through the trials and victories of these five athletes, audiences are invited into the spirit of what it means to represent your country through netball and the and the pressures of being young women in elite sport, while setting the stage for the next generation of Pacific talent.
The documentary will be distributed by PacificAus TV and will be available to watch on local TV channels in the Pacific region. Audiences can also watch via NetballPass.
