Triumphant Tala takes Tonga to first ever Netball World Cup [1]
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 - 19:58. Updated on Saturday, September 17, 2022 - 16:33.
Tonga’s National Netball Team Tala has come out of the Oceania Netball World Cup Qualifiers not only undefeated but momentus, as it will take Tonga to its first ever Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Tala consecutively won all of its four games, firstly against Samoa 69-52, then Fiji 59-29 with a massive win against Papua New Guinea 89-28.
On Friday 22 July, it continued its winning streak with 70-43 victory against Cook Islands, its final game at Vodafone Stadium in Suva, Fiji.
Proud team
Tala Captain, Hulita Haukinima Veve told Matangi Tonga today, there are no words to describe the feeling of knowing they are going to the Netball World Cup.
"We could not be happier, although it still hasn't sunk in that we have qualified for the World Cup."
She said their goal from the start of the campaign was to just win every game.
"I think in each game, we grew as a team and then the outcome goal presented itself."
The captain said Tala also had many debutants in both the Pacific Cup series held in Sydney in March and then the qualifiers in Fiji. To be able to go through both series undefeated meant a lot to them as individuals, as a team and for Tonga, she said.
"This victory is huge for us as a team and for our country. With everything that Tonga has been through this year with the volcanic eruption, tsunami and covid, it was a way to send hope and joy to our country."
As for the Netball World Cup, “Tala's goal is just to do the very best we can,” she said.
"We’ve qualified and that by itself is big for Tonga so all we can do now is play some more good netball and show the world the talent, we have from our Tongan Talas. We will put out a good performance in each game against the best netball countries in the world."
"We hope, we have represented our country with pride and respect. It is our honour to wear the red dress with the crest on our chest and our last names on our back."
“The feeling of standing side by side with our Tongan sisters and singing the national anthem is a feeling you cannot describe. To come out of these two series undefeated, it is something that we are all very proud of. We want to thank our family, friends and fans for their support,” she said.
Historic
Tala Head Coach, Jaqua Pori-Makea Simpson said there are no words to describe how proud they are.
“Being undefeated was a goal we set early and making history as the first Tongan team to qualify for a World Cup is something very special. There are very few people that will experience what we have and it is my most honored coaching moment yet.”
She said Tala will now take a well earned brief break before assessing their qualifying campaign.
“We will look at what went well and areas for improvement so that we can start planning and preparing for the World Cup in Cape Town in 2023. We also have competition opportunities over the coming year that will be vital for match preparation so we can put our best foot forward,” she said.
Highest accomplishment
At the same time, Tonga Netball CEO Salote Sisifa acknowledged Jaqua and the coaching staff, the individual players and their families for the sacrifices made to represent Tonga. She said this victory is the highest accomplishment for netball in Tonga.
"Now that Tala is the top team of Oceania we hope this would inspire young Tongans to play more netball. We hope to lift local competitions, identify talent and nurture career paths to feed into the future of Tala."
The team's name was bestowed by Queen Nanasipau'u - Tala is an omen of luck, hope and good news.
"Now that Tala is the top team of Oceania we hope this would inspire young Tongans to play more netball. We hope to lift local competitions, identify talent and nurture career paths to feed into the future of Tala."
The Oceania Qualifiers was held from July 19-23.