By Elizabeth Winter
As a netball-loving nation, Tonga took great pride this week seeing their beloved national team compete on home soil for the first time, and against some of Australia’s best emerging talent.
The Tala-Tutone Tour marked a major milestone for Tonga. In partnership with Netball Australia, PacificAus Sports and the Tongan Government, Tonga Netball Association hosted the country’s first international netball tournament, as part of national celebrations for Tonga's 150th anniversary of its Constitution.
Across three days of competition, Australian Pathways and the Tonga Tala rose to the occasion at the newly built stadium in Nuku’alofa.
CEO of Tonga Netball Association Salote Sisifa emphasised the significance of this tour for netball in Tonga.
“This tournament is Tonga’s opportunity to show we can host at international level,” Sisifa said.
“Thank you to Netball Australia and PacificAus Sports for the partnership and the learnings given to our people. Malo ‘Autpito (Thank you).”
Both teams competed with heart and spirit during the historic Tala-Tutone Tour.MEANINGFUL MOMENTS
Supporters from far and wide travelled to Tonga’s capital, filling the stands with pride for the Tala-Tutone Tour, the name of which was bestowed by Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho.
For Australian Pathways athlete and GIANTS training partner Monika ‘Otai, the tour was particularly meaningful.
“Representing Australia is always such a huge privilege, but I'm also honoured to play here in Tonga,” ‘Otai said.
“My mum is from Kolomotu’a and my dad is from Ma’ufanga, I’ve got some family watching me play here, so it means everything to represent my heritage.”
“For young girls growing up in Tonga, I hope they watch me play and know they can achieve anything, no dream is too big.”
‘Otai proudly honoured her Tongan heritage throughout the tournament, delivering a stellar performance on the court and connecting with supporters from across the nation.
For her mum, Ana Fifita-Otai, seeing her daughter representing Australia while in Tonga was deeply emotional.
“It’s hit home,” she shared.
“This is where I grew up, this is my childhood.
“Although I come to Tonga to visit family, coming this time, with Monika representing Australia. I don't know how to explain it. It’s more than life itself. I’m very grateful.”
Australian Pathways athlete Monika 'Otai represented her Tongan heritage proudly on and off the court.INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
The Tala-Tutone Tour was an opportunity for the netball community in Tonga to come together and reflect on how far the sport has come in the country.
For Australian High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga H.E Brek Batley, the tour represented more than sport alone.
“This tour is inspiring for all the incredible emerging talent here in Tonga, but also those who aren’t into sport right now, who might be inspired by seeing some of these heroes compete,” he said.
“The anthems, the crowd, the young children that were lined up with each of their netball heroes – the first goal where Tonga scored – that’s what it was all about.
“For those who were there, the passion for Tonga, inspiration, and hope was all there on display.”
Athletes from both teams hosted a community clinic with local netballers from Tonga Netball’s KidsNet program, so the children could spend time with them and be further inspired by their role models.
Athletes connected with young netballers as part of Tonga Netball Association's KidsNet program.CULTURAL CONNECTIONS AND LEARNING
During their time in Tonga, both teams shared in meaningful cultural engagements including a breakfast at the Australian High Commission Residence attended by Ministers and Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho, as well as a Sunday service at the Centenary Church in Nuku’alofa.
In celebration of Tonga’s 150th Anniversary of its Constitution and longstanding relationship with Australia, the teams were honoured to attend a Royal Feasting, while the Australian Pathways took part in a vibrant float parade through the streets of Nuku’alofa.
Together, these experiences enriched the Australian Pathway team’s understanding of Tongan culture while underscoring the powerful significance of the historic Tala-Tutone Tour.
The tour provided opportunities for athletes to learn about Tongan culture and history.CONNECTING AUSTRALIA AND TONGA THROUGH NETBALL
For the Tonga Tala, playing at home carried deep national pride.
Tala goal shooter and MVP Uneeq Palavi expressed her gratitude for competing in front of a home crowd.
“Thank you to the Tongan crowd who came out and supported, it’s always a privilege and an honour to wear this crest on my heart and I will always cherish it every time I step on the court with my Tongan sisters,” she said.
Tonga’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Youth and Employment Hon. Sinaitakala Tu'itahi reflected on the importance of the Tala-Tutone Tour.
“We have seen you on TV screens, but this is the first time for you to come here and play,” she said.
“We have really enjoyed having you here. Tala takes Tonga to the world.”
The Tala-Tutone Tour was the first time Tonga's national netball team have competed on home soil.Both the Australian Pathways and the Tala had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho who attended the matches, underscoring the tour’s national significance.
Australian Pathways MVP Ruby Shannon expressed gratitude for being part of the tour.
“I’m forever grateful for this opportunity to be playing in Tonga, the crowd has been amazing,” she said.
“As a squad we haven’t played together before, so it was amazing that we could connect on court. I’ve had so much fun with the girls,” she said.
Australian Pathways MVP Ruby Shannon was grateful to take part in the tour.STRENGTHENING SKILLS
Across three fiercely contested matches, both teams played with heart and spirit, with scores swinging either way throughout. The crowd’s energy matched the intensity of the games with cheers echoing every goal.
The Australian Pathways claimed narrow victories in the first two matches before the Tonga Tala fought back to take the final win sending the stadium into celebration.
Head Coach of the Australian Pathways Anita Keelan AM spoke about the value of close competition and unique playing environments for athlete growth.
“It’s always best to play people who are going to push you and make you better, both teams challenged each other,” she said.
“For the Aussie girls, this meant learning a different style of netball, body positioning, playing in hot, difficult conditions with a pro-Tongan crowd, all these exposures help them develop.
“All our girls were standing much taller at the back of the trip, so we’ve seen growth in them as people and as players.”
Matches were fuelled by fierce competition between the Australian Pathways and Tonga Tala.For Head Coach of the Tonga Tala Jaqua Pori-Makea Simpson, this tour was both a showcase for the team and a learning opportunity.
“This was the girls’ first time playing on home soil,” she said.
“There was a lot of pressure for them, but they handled it really well and I'm super proud of the team.
“Fifty per cent of our squad were under 21 and we debuted 15-year-old Jariah Kivalu, so that was super exciting.”
Pori-Makea Simpson also led sessions with local development squads who played curtain-raiser matches during the tour, reinforcing Tonga Netball Association’s focus on creating clear pathways for local athletes into national squads.
“Tonga Netball belongs to all of us,” Pori-Makea Simpson said.
“I'm so excited about where these local players are going.
“I've been with Tonga for six years now, and to see the improvement in their local teams, it’s amazing.”
Tonga's local development teams worked with Head Coach of the Tonga Tala Jaqua Pori-Makea Simpson during the tour.GROWING NETBALL GLOBALLY
Beyond the matches, the tour was an opportunity for Tonga Netball Association to build capacity to host more international netball in Tonga, as expressed by CEO Salote Sisifa.
“This is more than just matchplay between the Australian Pathways and the Tonga Tala, there is so much happening around this tour,” she said.
“This is the first time Tonga have our own bench officials officiating international matches.
“We are accrediting umpires, we have students from high school netball programs being ball bearers and volunteers.”
Eight umpires earned their C-Badge accreditation during the tour. Among them was Hilamani Lavemai, who reflected on the opportunity to learn from Netball Australia umpires Chloe Grosser and Alexandra Brown.
“I feel blessed to have been in this learning environment,” he said.
“It’s an amazing feeling and humbling experience to have received my C-Badge, I can’t explain how happy I am.
“Having accredited umpires will make a big difference in the netball community here in Tonga, and I hope to be an ambassador for younger generations.”
Eight new umpires in Tonga were accredited with their C Badges after being assessed by Netball Australia.In addition to umpire development, Netball Australia provided bench official training during the tour. Five newly trained bench officials excelled in their roles, including Silvia Leger who emphasised the value of the learning opportunity.
“Being part of netball and this historical event for Tonga has been amazing,” she shared.
“Netball has taught me discipline and helped build my confidence off the court. It is an empowerment tool for girls and women in Tonga.”
Netball Australia’s Head of Market Development Sallee Caldwell reflected on the success of the week.
“The Tala-Tutone Tour embodies what our partnership with Tonga Netball and PacificAus Sports is all about – bringing athletes, officials, and communities together through netball,” Caldwell said.
“This experience will help build momentum for Tonga Netball Association to host future international competitions, creating more opportunities and growing netball across the region.”
This tour is supported by the Australian Government through the PacificAus Sports program, an initiative which builds people-to-people links and further strengthens Australia and the Pacific’s close regional ties through a shared love of sport.
Interested in Netball Australia’s international development work? See more here.
