By Elizabeth Winter
From coaching a premier league club to taking the next step with the Queensland Firebirds, Paula Stuart’s decorated career doesn’t end there.
She’s also at the helm of Netball Samoa’s 21/U team, who have become an unstoppable force.
Netball Samoa reigned supreme at the Oceania Regional Qualifiers last month, setting the stage for a promising journey to the Netball World Youth Cup in 2025.
Stuart emphasised how this undefeated run at the qualifiers was no easy feat and was validation of years of hard work and dedication from Samoa.
"We've been trying to build the last few years, and this has meant so much to Samoa. It’s a credit to everyone involved," Stuart reflected.
Netball Samoa's 21/U squad reigned supreme at the Oceania Qualifiers.CULTIVATING TEAM CULTURE
Despite lacking time together as a team in the lead up to the qualifiers, Stuart emphasised the importance of building a strong culture within the squad.
“We didn't have the same management staff that came over with us compared to the other countries, but we seemed to have enough for what we needed,” she said.
The team drew on the experiences of seasoned players, such as captain Papi Alaalatoa, who had participated in multiple tournaments including the Pacific Netball Series and learned from national players Abigail Meafou and Lenora Misa.
"Papi helped the younger girls learn about what it means to play for Samoa, her experience shone through to help them learn what it meant to put on the blue dress,” Stuart noted.
Through passing on knowledge, the team fostered a sense of sisterhood and shared identity.
Stuart also explained the 21/U team learned and performed a Siva Samoa, a traditional dance for the Samoan community in the Cook Islands.
This cultural celebration not only united the team but reinforced their ties to Samoan identity, as many had never performed a Siva Samoa previously.
“Some of the athletes were emotional, and all filled with pride,” Team Manager of Netball Samoa Justine Samu described.
Captain Papi Alaalatoa shared her knowledge from previous international tournaments with her teammates.LESSONS LEARNED AS A COACH
Reflecting on her time working with Netball Samoa, Stuart highlighted the significance of trust and collaboration. She explained the role of Samu in preparing the team for the qualifiers.
“We trusted each other on our process and what we needed to do,” Stuart said.
As well as this, Stuart acknowledged the support from various coaches from Australia and New Zealand in preparing Australian-based players for the qualifiers.
“It was a lot of trust in their coaches and their own clubs,” she added.
Stuart also emphasised the significance of community in supporting the team during the Oceania Qualifiers.
“The Samoan community in the Cook Islands were amazing, we definitely couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
Samoa Tifa Moana head coach Frances Solia and Paula Stuart have worked strongly together.A BROADER IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
As well as working with the 21/U team, Stuart has participated in the PacificAus Sports Coach Immersion Programs and worked long term with athletes from Pasifika backgrounds including Hulita Veve and Lenora Misa.
Stuart highlighted how these experiences have deepened her understanding of how sport transcends the game itself through its impact on Pacific Islands communities.
"Netball is more than a game, it brings communities together,” Stuart said.
“That's probably one thing I've really learned and cherished, even though I've always had it in the back of my mind, I've got that strong family upbringing. But it's a great reminder to have that it is more than just a sport.”
Stuart has learned through her work with Samoa to focus on the netball journey rather than only the results.
“The outcomes are the cherry on top. If you enjoy the journey, usually the outcome is quite successful,” she said.
“The more comfortable the players feel in their own environment, the more of their growth you’ll see on the netball court.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE WORLD YOUTH CUP
As Samoa prepares for the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, Stuart and the rest of Netball Samoa are focused on further development, with enthusiasm and support from the local community.
Plans for more trials and continued match play in Australia are in motion, with the goal of nurturing young talent.
“The results of the qualifiers have been the best thing for Samoa, the President of Netball Samoa Afioga Peseta Noumea Simi has been supportive of the journey and is ecstatic about the outcome,” Stuart said.
The success of the team has generated excitement across the nation, setting a positive tone for the future of Netball Samoa.
