By Elizabeth Winter
This past week has been an extraordinary display of elite netball, with debuts of new players and old rivals coming together to put on what has truly been a phenomenal show.
Old favourites the Tonga Tala, Samoa Tifa Moana, Fiji Pearls and Singapore returned to the series and were joined by series debutants the Namibia Desert Jewels and the inaugural Australian First Nations Invitational Team, the Black Swans.
THE WEEK THAT WAS
Unexpected twists and turns filled the week as teams played incredibly close games that had everyone questioning what was going to happen next.
The style of play was unique and diverse as teams from different nations introduced each other to different formulas and combinations.
Ultimately, the Tonga Tala were crowned champions of this year’s Pacific Netball Series for the fourth consecutive year.
While successful in showcasing the skills, talents and athleticism of the Pacific netballers, the series also highlights how we can celebrate harmony through sport.
This series brought about a celebration of culture as spectators filling the stadium with traditional songs, chants, and gestures from their home countries.
“Strong, passionate tournament that is an incredible showcase of international as well as local talent,” summarised SEN commentator Kell Harrison.
“There’s been a great camaraderie between countries and all of the teams behind the scenes have been bonding on and off court, strengthening relationships across the globe.”
The athletes built connection while inviting unexpected twists and turns across the week. This being the first year of the typical four-year Netball World Cup cycle meant different players being given different opportunities, and led to an incredibly unpredictable tournament.
Teams participated in cultural exchanges as part of the opening ceremony.NAMIBIA DESERT JEWELS
Returning to Australia for the first time in over thirty years, the Namibia Desert Jewels showed up on court strong and dynamic.
Namibia’s win against Tonga early in the series shook the scoreboard and stadium. Their play was dynamic and athletic throughout, bringing a unique style that has challenged other teams.
Goal defence Cornelia Mupenda remained strong throughout the tournament, consistently creating intercepts and turnovers that propelled the team forward.
Prior to the event, Mupenda said was confident that supporters back home would be proud of the Desert Jewels on court.
"Expect performance, we will make them proud...” Mupenda said.
“We came this far, not just to participate but to compete.”
The Desert Jewels finished third overall, defeating Samoa in the semi-finals.
Captain and goal attack Anna Kaspar said we will be ‘fighting until the last minute’ and that’s exactly what Namibia showed throughout the tournament.
SAMOA TIFA MOANA
Although the Samoa Tifa Moana didn’t come away with the champion title this year, they maintained their strength capitalising on turnovers and consistently offering tough matches against their opponents during the week.
Defender Melissa Oloamanu made her return to the international level following injury, explaining that connection was a powerful part of her week in Brisbane.
"Reconnecting with everyone that I’ve played with before and making new memories off court and on court...” Oloamanu said.
“I feel like I’m not only representing my country, but my family and the name I have back home as well. It feels good.”
The Tifa Moana squad exhibited a lot of young fresh talent in their squad lineup, with Oloamanu touching on the importance of that depth.
“It’s been awesome training and learning off them, and teaching them as well, developing their skills, I remember when I was young as well so I try do anything to help,” she said.
Captain Lenora Misa is keen to see what happens next for the team.
The Australian First Nations Black Swans had an enormous week.AUSTRALIAN FIRST NATIONS BLACK SWANS
The inaugural Australian First Nations Team, the Black Swans, had an incredible run at the Pacific Netball Series.
They displayed excellent performance for a team which had only met a few days prior to the series, playing against teams who had been playing together for several years.
In the short time they spent together, Head Coach Ali Tucker-Munro empowered the team to form incredibly close bonds.
That resonated on the court through communication and camaraderie, which flowed throughout their match play.
Alongside their immense skillset as a collective, this propelled them to the standard of national teams, winning four out of their six matches during the series.
“It felt natural, especially with the older ones taking the younger ones in,” said midcourter Kiera Heffernan.
“It started with our coach Ali, she felt like someone we could trust and this filtered down the line to the rest of the team.”
Goal shooter Charlotte Ryan touched on it being a learning experience for all involved.
"The international teams bring a whole different chapter of experience and a whole different style that is really great for us to learn,” she explained.
As a domestic invitee, the First Nations Black Swans were not eligible to receive World Netball ranking points at the Pacific Netball Series or compete in medal matches.
However, if this week is anything to go by, the Black Swans will be ones to watch across future tournaments, having exhibited skillsets and a team connection that will undeniably accelerate and evolve moving forward.
SINGAPORE
Singapore had a fantastic return to this year’s series, with some incredibly close matches this week, staying strong against eighth world ranking Tonga Tala.
Captain Kai Wei Toh said that her whole team improved and grew with each game and inspired her every step of the way.
Being a part of the series has meant great exposure for us to showcase our skills,” she said.
“The whole team are my inspiration.”
They finished their week on a high with a win against the Black Swans, in a fantastic hard-fought match in which both teams displayed versatility and grit at the end of the tournament.
Singapore fought hard throughout the entire series with great performances from Amandeep Chahal as goal attack – with persistent precision as a shooter and feeder in the circle.
Kai Wei Toh and Amandeep Chahal were among Singapore's top performers.FIJI PEARLS
“The highlight of the week was our service for each other,” said Fiji Pearls captain Alesi Paul following the series.
"Before we left we said we have to do our own jobs first, to provide service for each other.”
The team offered a unique style of play with unexpected feeds and movements into the circle, highlighted by their close match with Tonga mid-way through the series..
With just one goal separating the two sides in the final seconds, the Pearls showcased their flair and skill to keep both the opposition and crowd on their toes.
Standouts included Unaisi Rauluni, whose role in attack saw her deliver dynamic moves across the court, while captain Alesi Paul announced her retirement, but will continue assisting with coaching the Pearls moving forward.
TONGA TALA
Despite not having their captain Hulita Veve and a number of contracted New Zealand players, the depth of the Tonga Tala remained strong this series.
The Tala demonstrated their ability to come together even when the odds fell against them. They showed their typical resilience and stamina across the board.
Goal shooter Uneeq Palavi was a standout, maintaining accuracy even at the most tense moments of the tournament.
Palavi won MVP of the series, while goal defence Emma Mateo and midcourter Liesl Hopoate were also standouts, demonstrating the team can continue to come together despite missing some of their key players.
All six teams had an opportunity to learn about each others' cultures.The Pacific Netball Series is an opportunity for players to connect both off and on the court, in what Netball Australia First Nations Support Officer Beryl Friday describes as a “culturally centred high-performance environment”.
The tournament has provided pathways for Pacific teams to play in high-level Australian sporting competitions and allowing partners to benefit from high-performance coaching and training.
By bringing netball nations together the Pacific Netball Series has paved the way for a uniquely exciting competition and style of play, and further built linkages between nations through sport.
Missed any of the thrilling Pacific Netball Series action? Catch up on all the matches on NetballPass.com.
