By Matt Fotia
Uneeq Palavi was the jewel in Tonga’s crown at the 2023 Netball World Cup, but her Tongan journey was almost over before it began.
The Melbourne Mavericks training partner and skilful goaler initially screened Netball Tonga’s calls due to fears she wasn’t ready to take the leap into international netball.
“When they first messaged me to play, I didn’t respond urgently because I didn’t feel like I wasn’t in the right mindset to play for Tonga,” she said.
“So, they (Netball Tonga) reached out to my grandma because I wasn’t replying.
“Everyone who’s Tongan knows my grandma and she was adamant that I had to do it, so long story short I lined up for Tonga in Sydney at the PacificAus Netball Series.”
Her initial apprehension is a distant memory for the goaler who is now synonymous with Tongan netball and cherishes her time with her Tonga Tala teammates more than anything else.
“Playing for Tonga, connecting with other Tongans and playing with other Tongans, it’s just a completely different feeling to any other netball that I’ve ever played,” Palavi said.
“It’s one thing to play for your state, but it’s another thing to represent your heritage. It's a huge blessing and an honour to represent my country in a sport.
"It’s a surreal feeling that I’ll never be able to feel playing for any other netball team."
Uneeq Palavi's Tongan journey might not have happened if it wasn't for her grandmother.Palavi's connection with Tonga is well known by now.
Her father is Tongan, her mother Samoan, and she had been fortunate enough to visit both nations throughout her teenage years, with trips to Tonga more frequent than visits to Samoa.
Nevertheless, she has a strong connection with both sides of her family, something that came flooding to the forefront of her consciousness when she first stepped out for Tonga in 2022 at the inaugural Pacific Netball Series.
Playing alongside her sister Beyonce and some other familiar faces helped calm the nerves and made the transition into the Tongan squad easier, but it was still a daunting moment when she first stepped on court.
“As soon as we were there (in Sydney) we were all in,” says Palavi of the instant connection within the Tonga Tala group.
“It felt like we’d known each other for ages, connections were strong, and it was just different because we all became sisters.”
Palavi had an instant connection with her Tongan teammatesFast forward another year and that group of sisters, alongside a few handy additions such as Mo’onia Gerrard and Catherine Tuivati, were readying themselves to take it up to the best in the world at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
Tonga were drawn in Group A alongside Zimbabwe, regular foes Fiji, and world number one Australia.
Wins against Fiji and Zimbabwe helped the Talas qualify for the second round, where they defeated Scotland, suffered a tight loss to Malawi and even challenged eventual runner up England. Tonga finished the World Cup in seventh place overall.
Palavi was one of the stars of the tournament, gaining attention all over the netballing world, finishing with 238 goals, fourth overall behind the likes of Jamacia’s Jhaniele Fowler, Malawi’s Joyce Mvula and Welsh goaler Georgia Rowe.
Yet her two week stay in South Africa wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies.
The overly humble Palavi holds herself to an incredibly high standard.
So much so, she relied on her Tonga Tala teammates to pull her out of a self-deprecating funk following their 26-goal loss to England, where she shot 37 goals from 42 attempts.
“At times I forget that I’m quite good, "she said.
“After our game against England, I felt like I let the rest of the team down and was beating myself up.
“Cat Tuivati was comforting me and reminding me of where I am, who I am, how I play and not to drop my head over one performance.
“I always lose sight of how good I actually am, but having my teammates supporting me helps keep my confidence up.”
Palavi starred at the World Cup, shooting 238 goals - 4th most in the tournamentPalavi’s performances in South Africa put her in a number of conversations back in Australia about how far she could go in the professional game.
She believes that tournaments like the Pacific Netball Series are vitally important to keep providing exposure for the numerous other talented netballers that line up for Tonga and its Pacific neighbours.
“It (the Pacific Netball Series) is important to show other communities what strengths and talents these pacific nations have,” she said.
“Watching those tournaments, you’ll be surprised at what Fiji can do, what Samoa can do and Papua New Guinea as well.
“Everyone is so underrated, and I think that’s why this tournament is so crucial because it showcases the talents that are coming through outside of Australia (and its pathways).”
Palavi’s time with Tonga has helped progress her game to the next level and her performances, alongside those in the VNL and alike, have garnered interest from professional teams across the globe.
And while she would love to follow in the footsteps of Queensland Firebirds midcourter and Tongan captain Hulita Veve and make her mark in the Suncorp Super Netball, nothing will ever compare to the feeling she gets when she plays for Tonga Tala.
“There is nothing that compares to when I’m playing with Tonga. When I’m with Tonga I play with so much freedom,” Palavi said.
“I’m a different person when I’m on the court with those girls."
You can catch Uneeq Palavi and her Tonga Tala teammates in this year's Pacific Netball Series, taking place in Queensland from June 10 – 15.
