Pacific Netball Series mid-week wrap 

By Elizabeth Winter

We run through five significant moments from the first three days of Pacific Netball Series action.

FIRST NATIONS BLACK SWANS DEBUT 

After only meeting each other in person several days ago, the inaugural Australian First Nations Black Swans, debuted on court for the first time on Monday, and what a ride it’s been since then.  

After getting a feel for the show-court hype on day one, holding their own against 8th world-ranking Tonga Tala, the Black Swans were anything but disheartened by the defeat, and have proven how quickly they can rally together to build team connection in such a short time span. 

“Our mob’s been waiting a long, long time for something like this to happen,” said inaugural captain Tegan Holland.  

“Supporters from all over the country have come to watch us, whether they’re related to us, or just little girls in the crowd looking up to First Nations players.”  

Black Swans have continued to show up strong, winning their games against Singapore (62–50) and Fiji (61–48).  

Standout moments include intercepts and deflections from Aaleya Turner, as well as Jamaica Jauncey proving as an excellent shooter.  

Beryl Friday, a proud Nyungkul woman for the Kuku-Yalanji Nation and First Nations Support Officer for Netball Australia, described the Black Swans’ team chemistry as ‘Mob Magic’. 

We can’t wait to watch their sisterhood unfold throughout the rest of the series.  

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT A SUCCESS 

As part of the Diamond Spirit Program with Netball Queensland, students from Bremer State High School came to Nissan Arena and met high profile players from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia. 

It was a chance to exchange cultures and welcome players who have flown across the globe for the series, through traditional performances they had prepared.  

In keeping with the Pacific Netball Series’ theme One Court, One Family: A celebration of culture and how we are connected by Netball, the players and students got together upon finishing the performances to have a chat, yarn, talaona in an informal setting. 

They then played a round robin match, receiving coaching advice from top players such as Hulita Veve, Samoan captain Lenora Misa, and rising Black Swans stars Lily Cubby and Tully Bethune.  

“The students loved having that quality connection with their ‘coaches,’” said Mareta Alexander, Diamond Spirit Coordinator. 

 “That type of connection really makes a difference, especially in such a short window. Our students felt so proud to share a part of their culture with them.” 

The session offered both the students and athletes a chance to celebrate their culture with pride while demonstrating how closely connected we are through sport.  

NAMIBIA’S TRIUMPHANT RETURN 

This series is the first time Namibia have competed in Australia since the 1991 Netball World Cup in Sydney, and the team have returned strong.  

On Tuesday we witnessed the Namibia Desert Jewels compete against the Tonga Tala in a match that was nail-bitingly close, bringing a win for Namibia and Tonga’s first loss at the Pacific Netball Series in over two years.   

This game brought a surprising turn of events for the series that is demonstrative of what’s to come throughout the rest of the week.  

Standouts from the Namibian Desert Jewels include Captain and goal attack Anna Kaspar, wing defence Venyekerera Maharero and goal keeper Mwale Mulenamaswe.  

After taking the lead in the second quarter by one goal, the Desert Jewels fought hard throughout the entire game to maintain the lead.   

”We really did pull through, we stuck to the game plan and it worked for us,” said goal defence Cornelia Mupenda.  

After a thirty-hour journey travelling over to Australia, the team were happy to get their first win, but we know Tonga are going to come back fighting even stronger.  

YOUNG ATHLETES STEP UP 

The Pacific Netball Series offers the opportunity for a variety of athletes from across the globe to compete, giving U21 netballers an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in an international setting and compete against elite-level teams.  

20-year-old Tonga Tala representative Ana Lupe Kailahi has been around the team for the past two years, but took her opportunity to start at centre against Samoa, proving a handy understudy to Luana Aukafolau and Hulita Veve, and playing her role with a mature, steady head. 

Samoan 17-year-olds Sayonara Alaalatoa and Brook Marchant have made an impact through the midcourt, playing at a high standard and showcasing their development following last year’s event.  

Singaporean defender Mishalenee K has played both in circle defence and out of position at wing defence, has been working hard to get around the body and cut off supply to attaching teams.  

Many of the young athletes are also balancing their training with university and work, proving the strength of their ability to prepare for this series.  

OPENING CEREMONY SMILES 

The opening ceremony was a welcoming of all teams who have travelled to Australia, including the inaugural Australian First Nations Invitational Team, the Black Swans, who would be competing for the first time.  

Teams entered holding their nations’ flags with smiles all round.  

"Although you may be rivals on court, off the court – we are all united by netball….,” highlighted PacificAus Sports Program Manager, Rowan Fajerman.  

“Through our collaborative efforts we can build the game at all levels and have positive impact in our communities, particularly for women and girls.” 

The ceremony was also an opportunity to announce the continuation of the Australian Government and Netball Australia PacificAus Sports program partnership. 

Supporting the development of high performance netball throughout the Pacific, the partnership will continue for four more years in a welcome advancement for the countries participating. Elder and Traditional Custodian of the Yuggera People, Aunty Deb Sandy, welcomed all the different nations to Country and highlighted the connection all participating athletes share, before performing the Yuggera people’s Welcome Song.  

Aunty Deb shared the word ‘Mirragin’, meaning ‘star’ telling the players to ‘keep on shining’ throughout the tournament.