Tongan captain relieved her team will be at full strength for Pacific netball series

The schedule for the 2025 PacificAus Sports Netball Series has pleased the four-time champion Tonga Tala team, making it easier for them to assemble a full squad this year compared to last. Due to the adjusted schedule, more key players are able to participate, undoubtedly strengthening the Tongan team's capabilities. This improved availability ensures a more competitive showing from the team.

The series is set to kick off next Monday in Brisbane, with Tonga fielding a team at full strength. Captain Hulita Veve and experienced defender Kelea Iongi are returning to the lineup. In 2024, they were unable to participate due to their respective playing commitments with the Queensland Firebirds and Central Pulse. Furthermore, the Melbourne Mavericks seem to have learned their lesson, allowing shooter Uneeq Palavi to attend pre-season training and represent her country after previous controversy. This commitment from all parties enhances the overall quality of the competition.

Palavi defied her club's warnings to attend the interstate competition, despite the club cautioning that it could impact her Super Netball debut. However, she excelled in the final, contributing 63 points with a 95% shooting accuracy in her team's 72-58 victory over the Fiji Pearls, and ultimately earning the Series MVP title. The earlier scheduling this year is purely coincidental but is significant for the participating teams. Her exceptional performance solidified her position as a key player in the series.

Captain Veve stated that the PacificAus Sports Netball Series should ideally be held outside of the professional Super Netball season each year. "It's definitely hard to miss out," Veve told ABC Sport. "I remember when I found out I couldn't play, I cried because I was so disappointed. Luckily I was still able to be there on the sidelines and help mentor and give advice to the girls who were able to play. But it was definitely hard sitting on the sidelines watching, so I'm grateful I'm able to play this year." The scheduling conflict created significant emotional distress for players who were unable to participate.

Tonga Netball CEO Salote Sisifa raised the issue on ABC's Pacific Beat program, bringing it to the attention of the wider netball community. Sisifa even stated that they had considered withdrawing from the series due to the difficult selection process. "I completely agree with Salote on that," Veve said. "I don't think it's fair to have our games in the middle of the season, which causes us not to be able to play, and therefore affects our team performance and world ranking." This highlights the importance of addressing scheduling conflicts to ensure fair representation and competition.

Veve added, "At the moment, some of the rules are a bit unfair for certain countries and regions. Australia and other countries that are ranked highly don't have games in the middle of the season, and if they did, it would heavily impact their Super Netball teams. I think it's something that needs to be looked at, and something that the sport can do better... This year the scheduling is great... I think we deserve to be treated fairly so we can get enough game time before major events." A more equitable system would benefit all participating nations and enhance the overall quality of the sport.

Despite some issues last year, the PacificAus Sports Netball Series has played a vital role in improving Tonga's ranking and solidifying its position as a global contender. Prior to the inaugural event in 2022, the country had no ranking due to insufficient international matches played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now they are in the top ten, participated in the recent World Cup, and are vying for a spot in the 2025 Commonwealth Games. This progress demonstrates the significant impact of the series on Tonga's netball program.

"It's crazy to think that we've won this series four times in a row," Veve said. "But the mentality we have to go into the game with is that we're not going to win again. It gets harder each time because of the pressure and expectation. We just try to stay humble and hopefully we can get the trophy again." Beyond the team's on-court success, the significance of the series for Tonga and their efforts to elevate their image as a sporting nation is evident. Maintaining a humble approach is key to navigating the increasing pressure and expectations.

The players have been welcomed home on multiple occasions, receiving recognition from the Royal Family, and their Tala name was selected by Queen Nanasipauʻu to honor the country's rare sea bird, which is considered a symbol of good fortune. Currently, the team is composed entirely of Australian and New Zealand-based talent, but the hope is that as netball grows in popularity, players from the islands will be ready to compete in the future. "We're very proud of our rise, and that there's not many Tongan netballers, so for us to be ranked eighth in the world is a big deal," Veve said. The team's success is a source of national pride and inspires hope for future generations of Tongan netball players.

Veve also mentioned, "They don't even have a netball court in Tonga, they use the car park after hours, and recently they've started a program there for the kids, which is really cool. Every time we go back, people are just so excited because we're putting their country out there in the world, and as a very small nation, they respect us so much." With the Tala dominating once again in the absence of key leadership, the question for 2025 is, who can stop them at full strength? The lack of proper facilities highlights the team's resilience and dedication to the sport.

While the Scotland Thistles are participating in the event for the first time, replacing the usual Pacific-outside team, Singapore, their new Australian coach believes they will be going all out for the title. The recruitment of Katharina Tetley late last year is a pivotal moment for Scottish netball as the governing body prepares to host the next Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and works to build a sustainable future for their elite netballers in the absence of a dedicated Super Netball team. This strategic move aims to elevate the team's performance and competitiveness on the international stage.

Prior to this, Tetley worked in sports administration for almost 30 years. In her most recent role, she was the General Manager of the NSW Swifts, where she provided the Super Netball team with a wonderful parting gift by signing New Zealand import Grace Nweke. But Tetley is best known for being the General Manager of the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, which was hailed as one of the most successful events of its kind. Her extensive experience and proven track record make her a valuable asset to the Scottish team.

In addition to her sports administration work, Tetley has coached at representative high schools, state teams, and in the NSW Premier League. Her connections helped Thistles captain Emily Nicholl and vice-captain Hannah Grant secure contracts with clubs such as the Panthers and Eastwood Ryde Hawks in Sydney this year. The Scottish national team is currently ranked 10th in the World Netball Federation and regularly competes in major events. But now that the Strathclyde Sirens are no longer in the Super League, players and the team have freed up their schedule to participate in more international matches. For a nation with only 11,000 participants, they punch above their weight globally. This increased focus on international competition will further enhance the team's development and performance.

Therefore, the PacificAus Sports Series provides them with an important opportunity to prepare for next year's Commonwealth Games, especially playing against Pacific teams like Tonga, who they lost to at the World Cup. "Coaching the Thistles has always been a dream of mine because my grandmother is from Aberdeen in the Scottish Highlands," Tetley told ABC Sport. "We've come here to win, and I don't say that to sound flippant or arrogant, but when you're ranked 10th in the world, you know that other teams are going to come for us, so we can't take it lightly." The series serves as a crucial testing ground and preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

The PacificAus Sports Netball Series will be held from February 17-22 at the Queensland State Netball Centre in Brisbane, featuring teams including the First Nations Australia Black Swans, Samoa Tifa Moana, Tonga Tala, Papua New Guinea Pepes, Scotland Thistles, and Fiji Pearls. It is a free event open to the public, and for those unable to attend in person, the matches will be streamed live on Kayo Freebies in Australia. International viewers can watch the series live and on demand online via Netball Pass (netballpass.com). This accessibility ensures that fans around the world can follow the competition and support their favorite teams.