“For us it’s about getting gold and we have that faith that we will get it,” said Tonga Netball captain Amenda Payne yesterday, 10 July, at ‘Atele Indoor Stadium ahead of the Pacific Games netball competition which starts next week.

Tonga’s netball squad of 12 comprises of three Tongan residents with the remainder, who are all of Tongan descent, residing in New Zealand and Australia.

After attending a training camp in Australia the team have been busy training since their arrival in Tonga on Monday, 8 July,

Amenda told Matangi Tonga the team is proudly to wear the Tongan emblem at the games.

“A lot of it is to do with family and just how the Tongan culture is all about what you represent. Not just yourself, but your family and the country. So, I’m pretty proud and pretty honoured to captain the side,” she said.

Amenda is an experienced player and the oldest in the squad, having previously played for the Auckland Diamonds and Auckland Waitakere as well as New Zealand under 21’s. She had retired from netball until she was called up to play for Tonga.

High performance coach

The team is being coached by a high-performance coach for the first time. Coach Jaqua Simpson has 20 years of coaching experience in Australia, particularly in New South Wales.

Tonga Netball Association CEO, Salote Sisifa said they are looking forward to watching the team compete in Samoa, especially after the association went through an overhaul, bringing in outside expert management to lift the level of Tonga netball to international standards.

“We’re looking forward to some good competition for our team and we’ve made a lot of investment for our team for the Pacific Games.”

The team will depart for Samoa on 12 July.

Tonga Netball Team:

• Amenda Payne (Captain)
• ‘Anipa Sisi 
• Hinalei Latuvuki 
• Lesieli Moala 
• Loumaile Manumu’a 
• Luana ‘Aukafolau
• Marie Hansen 
• Mena Sinisa 
• Michelle Katoa 
• Peti Talanoa
• Senivunga Lafo’ou (Co-Captain)
• Uneeq Palavi 

Team Manager: Niki Welsford
Head Coach: Jaqua Simpson
Assistant Coach: Moira Gaha
Physio: Garath Fraser
Strength & Conditioning: Tavake Fangupo
CEO: Salote Sisifa