'Eua netball players are aiming to make the grade for the national team in time for the Pacific Games in 2019. Some 32 teams from 12 netball clubs on 'Eua competed in the island's netball tournament that finished on Saturday, 31 October at Malau Field.

They wanted to continue these sports programs because apart from healthy living there were other social benefits, including the bond and support by bringing these teams together, he said.

“We hope that our women netball players have the chance to be selected for Tonga’s national netball team in preparation for the Pacific Games in 2019,” he said.

Maui Tafea from the Ministry of Internal Affairs said there was no decrease in the number of netball teams that joined the Kau Mai Tonga netball program this year in comparison to last year. “This is good news which shows the people’s love for netball and sports,” he said.

Dr Sosefo Takai said this is a good sports program to help reduce Non-Communicable diseases in 'Eua and a good start for the hospital week that started with a health walk on Monday, 2 November.

The Kau Mai Tonga Netball is a program funded by the Australian Government and implemented through various local stakeholders including Tonga Netball Association.