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RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa name squad for Netball World Youth Cup
Fiji under-21 squad members competing in their trials in Suva. 8 July 2025 Photo: Netball Fiji Three of the Pasifika teams that will compete at the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar have announced strong squads for the event. Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa have all named their squad, with Tonga being the only exception. Netball Tonga chief executive Salote Sisifa says the team's coaching and management team have yet to finalise and release details of the Junior Tala squad. The four teams are representing Pasifika at the NWYC 2025, with matches scheduled to roll off on Saturday, 20 September. Cook Islands are in Pool A along with New Zealand, Gibraltar, Malaysia and Zambia. Samoa is in Pool B with Australia, Scotland, Singapore and Northern Ireland. Pool C will feature Tonga against England, Jamaica, Wales and Sri Lanka, while Fiji is in Pool D alongside South Africa, Malawi, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Round-robin pool hames will be held from 20-24 September, with play-offs scheduled for 25 September. Cook Islands' final team was selected after a series of trials and the selection process involving trials held in Rarotonga in April and a second one recently in Brisbane. Photo: Cook Islands Netball Netball Cook Islands confirmed last weekend that only two local players are part of their 12-player squad. Rarotonga-based players Mere-Jean Piri and Mahanarei Short are the only local players in the squad, which is dominated by players from Australia. Cook Islands News reported that the squad will hold a training camp in Auckland before the September tournament. Two other Rarotonga players Tashi Kopu and Melody Tommy have been named as the non-travelling reserves. Assistant coach and former national rep Luciana Nicholas said the team is a good mix. "We're taking to the world and confident that we will do well," she told Cook Islands News. The final team was selected after a series of trials and Nicholas said the selection process involved trials held in Rarotonga in April and a second one recently in Brisbane, Australia. Nicholas said that in three weeks' time the team will travel to Auckland for training camp. She said they would be sorting out some combinations and bonding during the camp from August 13-17. "In three weeks' time we will be having a camp in Auckland where we will get some combinations going," she said. "We will start some bonding because this is probably the first time we've been together as a team of 12 with our non-travelling reserves as well." Nicholas has acknowledged all their supporters who are helping them get to Gibraltar. Cook Islands will take on hosts Gibraltar on September 20 in their first game, face New Zealand on September 21, have a September 22 clash against Malaysia and tackle Zambia on September 23. Cook Islands: Tia Crombie (Brisbane), Genesis Foster-Jonassen (Melbourne), Charlize Gable-Joseph (Melbourne), Aaliyah Koteka (Perth), Sierra Lau'ese (Auckland), Mere-Jean Piri (Rarotonga), Charniah Shepherd (Sydney), Mahanarei Short (Rarotonga), Ngahuia Te-Rure (Brisbane), Jazaria Tongotongo (Sydney), Kydan Tuapou (Brisbane), Deja-Maree Waitere-Patterson (Brisbane); Non-travelling reserves: Tashi Kopu (Rarotonga), Merua Matapo (Perth) Melody Tommy (Rarotonga). Samoa squad members at their final trial in Apia. Photo: Netball Samoa Samoa under-21 netball team head coach Paula Stuart said their campaign so far has been driven by passion. She said, during the squad announcement last week, that their campaign has been long and tough. "The journey toward the World Youth Cup began two years ago, and qualifying by winning the regional tournament in the Cook Islands is already a massive achievement for Netball Samoa," she said. "This campaign has been driven by passion, discipline, and national pride." Stuart said the squad selection were based on player performances as individuals and at trials held. "These trials were critical in identifying the next wave of talent, and they were made possible by the unwavering support of our Samoan communities across Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand," she said. "This team reflects not only talent, but the growing legacy of Netball Samoa, a campaign that continues to unite and uplift our community." Stuart said the support of Netball Samoa, through president Peseta Noumea Simi and chief executive Justine Samu plus the work of team officials made their campaign easier. Assistant Coach Natalie Mathews, who also leads the national team Tifamoana, said the final camp in Apia was "more than just the final trial and it symbolises growth, connection, and pride". It was an opportunity for the players to be together as a squad for the first time, with some players being able to be in Samoa for the first time. "Bringing our girls home, some for the very first time, created a powerful sense of identity and belonging," she said. "It's not only about who they are as athletes, but who they are as young women, grounded in culture and family. "Thank you to the Netball Samoa staff for running such a large-scale camp while continuing their daily operations. The care, effort, and heart behind this camp has been truly special." Samu said they are proud of the squad named and called for more support, especially financially, to assist the team on their trip. "This marks a significant milestone for our young athletes, who have trialled and trained with dedication and pride to represent Samoa on the world stage," she stated. "As we prepare for this international journey, we continue to seek sponsorship and support. If your organisation would like to be part of this empowering chapter in Samoan sport, we welcome your partnership. "Together, let's elevate our youth and showcase the strength of Pacific netball to the world." A total of 25 players from across Australia, New Zealand and Samoa attended the last trial camp in Apia at the end of June. Samu said under Stuart and Mathews' leadership the trialists were challenged both physically and mentally. "The emphasis was not only on individual performance, but also on building team chemistry and preparing for the pressure of international competition," she said. Samoa takes on Scotland on September 20, Singapore on September 22, Australia on September 23 and Northern Ireland on September 24 in their pool matches. Samoa: Brooke Marchant, Ciarn MacBride, Julia Tuua Solomona, Kaylee Tamala, Lataanga Holi, Madison Sanele, Mia Swann, Piuti Laban, Tava'e Maria Tatupu, Tianna Apelu, Tynisha Fa'asisila, Unique Pritchard; Travelling Reserves: Amataga Gidlow-Tuilagi, Grace Ioelu, Jenaya Lata; Non-Travelling Reserves: Helen Tietie, Milla Senio, Zyon Ligaliga, Ella McCartney, Anyslee Williamson. Fiji under-21 squad members competing in their trials in Suva last month. Photo: Netball Fiji Baby Pearls head coach Simone Nalatu said keeping their focus is something they will work on. Nalatu and Netball Fiji announced their squad last week. The Baby Pearls' final squad was announced in Suva following the competition of a five-day Invitational Tournament last month. The extended squad faced two overseas teams, which provided the challenge and preparation for them. The matches also offered the selection panel an opportunity to evaluate players for final team selection. "I'm very happy we have reached the milestone of announcing the team," she stated. "This has been almost 18 months in the making. "I am very happy with our 12 athletes but I'd also like to acknowledge the contribution and commitment of those other 15 athletes who have been part of our squad pushed for selection. "As we are in the business end of our preparations, we are sharpening our focus to ensure we are as ready as possible for the WYC in September." Fiji will meet Trinidad and Tobago first up on September 20, have Barbados on September 21, take on Malawi on September 22 and meet South Africa on September 24. Baby Pearls: Adi Varanisese Vula, Akisi Bolakoro, Anatolia Nuku, Eseta Waqaira, Hana Sotutu, Lydia Tavesivesi, Mereoni Taqiri, Nina Nakula, Shaid Sasalu, Solei Toganivalu, Susana Rasaubale, Vilimaina Kagi; Non-Travelling Reserves: Mykaella Chandra, Seini Naulia, Timaima Jones.
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
New Oceania Netball president is optimistic despite challenges
New Oceania Netball president Salote Sisifa. Photo: OCN The new Oceania Netball Federation president says there is a lot of work to be done to ensure that the sport's growth and development continue to align with and be in step with international growth. Tonga's Salote Adi Lopaukamea Sisifa was confirmed as president at the 10th Oceania Netball annual general meeting in Nuku'alofa on Thursday. Her appointment comes amid changes announced by World Netball last week, which include holding the Netball World Cup (NWC) every two years and introducing a Men's World Cup. "I think it is both welcoming and a surprise at the same time for all of us in Oceania," Sisifa told RNZ Pacific from Nuku'alofa. "We are currently struggling with the four-year cycle of getting teams to competitions. I think World Netball is still taking feedback in terms of how to actually roll this out, and from Oceania we have feedback on that to be given." The world governing body for the sport has announced that from NWC 2027 onwards, the format and schedule of the NWC will change, including the introduction of cup and plate competitions. It is part of World Netball's wider mission to develop and deliver a pipeline of international events that showcase the very best of its sport to more people more often, taking netball into a new chapter. After NWC 2027 in Sydney, all future World Cups will take place in November. With the new two-year world cup cycle, the next NWC will be held in November 2029, while in between the two years there will be a new biennial event from November 2028, that will take place in non-NWC years. "It's challenging times for the world, in all areas, but more so in sports," she said. "Trying to get teams out there to competitions, trying to get world rankings, and trying to move up in world rankings for the teams in Oceania "Those are some of the challenges and the common challenges of the Pacific that we face." Sisifa, who was interim president for a few months, was confirmed as the new president and replaces the late Wainikiti Waqa of Fiji, who died in January this year. She said she was humbled and honoured to be appointed to the role. "I'm well aware that this trust comes with responsibilities, expectations, and of course challenges," she said. "I'm excited to take on this role for the best interests of Oceania Netball, and I look forward to working with the executives of Oceania Netball, and the member countries to implement and sustain our shared visions and goals." Sisifa said she is still trying to take in the responsibility and what it means, but believes the support of the regional federations, and that of her own local team in Nuku'alofa, will be a major boost for her. "Work is just ongoing. This is something we have done and keep doing in this line of work, having served as the interim president," she said from Nuku'alofa. "I am very humbled for the trust to give me and Tonga the opportunity to lead as president." She said Tonga Netball was able to share with the Oceania representatives at the annual general meeting how they have managed to partner with stakeholders, including the Tongan government and Australia, to develop the sport. Sisifa said the importance of partnership is something that she wants to continue to emphasise to Oceania members. "One of the strengths of Tonga Netball is being there for other organisations and those other organisations will be there for your organisation, which I hope we can take out into a Oceania perspective," she said. "Or tailor it as something that can happen for Oceania, for the governments to come through and support netball because it is the leading women's sport in the Pacific and now netball has opened up to men and a world cup is coming up." Oceania Netball said Sisifa brings a wealth of experience, and a strong passion and commitment to lead netball in Oceania. "Sisifa has had an extensive career as a leadership executive in netball and journalism," Oceania netball said in their statement. "She is currently the CEO of Tonga Netball Association, and has a successful track record of achievements such as taking the Kingdom of Tonga to new heights in the regional and international Netball Stage. "Importantly, Sisifa has demonstrated clear vision, commitment, and leadership qualities befitting to lead, enhance and sustain the development of netball in Oceania." Sisifa is now the third president of Oceania Netball, following the late Bogidrau, who served as the second president from 2019 to 2024, and Nina Brown of the Cook Islands, who served as the first president from 2014 to 2019.
