By Elizabeth Winter
For Sayonara Alaalatoa, age is just a number.
Alaalatoa, affectionally known as Nara by her peers, is the youngest player in the Samoan national netball team.
But she doesn't let that daunt her.
“It's scary and there are moments where I feel small compared to my team and others," she said.
"But over time I have come to embrace the role that I have in the team. Not only do I get to learn from everyone else, but I am also given the opportunity to grow in the sport at a very young age alongside players that I look up to.”
Since taking part in the PacificAus Sports Youth Immersion program in 2022, the teenager was elevated to the Samoan National squad before making her debut at the PacificAus Sports Netball Series in 2022 on the Sunshine Coast.
And at just 17, she has already collected arguably her biggest accolade yet after being awarded Sports Woman of the Year at the College Awards Ceremony of the Samoan Ministry of Education Sports and Culture in 2023.
Alaalatoa (top right) is inspired by her teammates on court.For Alaalatoa though, her next biggest challenge is performing well at this week's Pacific Netball Series, where the teenager says she can learn from her teammates.
“The previous Pacific Netball Series contributed so much to my netball career in a sense that I was able to experience and get a feel of international netball, but at the same time getting good exposure to the sport at a young age,” she said.
“I was able to learn from older and more experienced players and coaches in my team, hence getting a broader understanding of the sport.”
The Pacific Netball Series brings a lot of different experiences together, inspiring young players like Alaalatoa.
For the inspiring teen, her favourite part about the series is no doubt the honour of representing her country and learning from her "older sisters".
“One of the most exciting things I look forward to all the time is the opportunity to see my favourite player... Hulita (Veve),” she said.
Alaalatoa is a speedy and efficient midcourter."She is such an inspiration and meeting her is just an absolute dream come true. I look forward to the adrenaline before every game and at the same time, seeing my family overseas.”
“The games are intense and challenging to a point where great plays are seen on court and the feel of it all is just absolutely unforgettable.”
Alaalatoa is looking forward to the Pacific Netball Series, hoping to get more out of it than just a greater skillset.
Her main goal? To come out of her shell.
“I aim to bring forth better plays this year and to be a better version of myself compared to last year," she said.
"This series allows us to build stronger connections with other players of different ethnicities. It gives us the opportunity to meet and engage with sisters from other pacific islands and play some good netball.”
The Pacific Netball Series will take place at Nissan Arena between June 10-15.
You can keep up to date with Alaalatoa and her Samoan teammates here.
