Tonga Netball

“Her Majesty has directed that I convey her heartfelt congratulations with best wishes to the Team members for their upcoming game,” the Queen’s Deputy Private Secretary, Kathleen Nina Tupou said in a message to the Team’s manager Kerrianne Farrelly,

Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku also congratulated the national netball team for their winning performances at the Australia Pacific Netball Series in Sydney this week and wished them well in their final against Fiji today.

The national side has defeated Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa and currently leads the series.

Tonga defeated Papua New Guinea 85-42 in their first game yesterday.

Both teams will be gunning for their second win.

Fiji Pearls beat Samoa 55-44 yesterday.

Tonga will meet Samoa on Wednesday and Singapore on Friday.

The series ends with the finals on Saturday.

Photo Netball Australia  Caption: Tonga takes on Papua New Guinea in their first match of the Australia Pacific series 

The kingdom’s national team has thanked Australia in a statement for securing another 10 year funding partnership.

“I’d like to give special acknowledgement to the Government of Australia through Netball Australia and our close partnership in the Australian Government-funded Pacific Sports Partnerships in past which will now continue to Australia Sports Partnership.”

“The Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa, His Excellency and staff, we cannot thank you enough.”

Players were put to the test with matches against teams from Australia, specialist coaching and intense court work.

The team’s latest report states that it was an incredible opportunity for the players to put their best foot forward and give themselves the best opportunity for selection.

With the depth of skills and talents from Tonga, Australia and New Zealand, Tonga Netball Association are proud to announce the National team for the Pacific Games in Samoa 2019 and congratulate all of the players on their selection.

The team will go into camp and select it’s final line-up for the Pacific Games, next month.

Head Coach Jaqua Heddle says the preparation camp gives her an opportunity to see the capabilities for every individual players.

“A squad training camp is an excellent opportunity to experiment with playing combinations, see how players connect with each other and find a good balance. Players also need to make the most of this opportunity and put their best foot forward for final team selection.”

The inaugural Pacific Women's Sports Leadership Program was held in Port Moresby earlier this month, bringing together 20 women representing 12 sporting organisations throughout the region.

The General Manager of Tonga Netball, Salote Sisifa, was among the attendees and said many of the women are facing the same problems.