By HENRY MORABANG
SHE was a young girl born for tennis. As a young girl growing up in the Port Moresby suburb of Boroko, young Nicole Angat enthused over her lawn tennis skills, getting a feel of her first racket as early as a pre-schooler.
With the world famous Williams sisters as her pin up posters and the enthusiastic coaching of PNG father of tennis Kwalam Apisah, it did not take long for Nicole to excel at the Boroko courts.
She was long legged and graceful with a vicious forehand that bore her trademark on the court, putting opponents at the mercy of her racket.
Therefore, her death this week was felt all over the tennis world in the Pacific, where she was recognised as a young up and coming coach at the Fiji academy.
Of Manus and East New Britain parentage, the 25 year old Angat was the product of ANZ Junior Tennis program which has proven a pathway for budding stars in PNG.
Vice president of PNG Tennis Federation Kuwalam Apisah said Angat was more like a big sister to his two daughters Abigail and Marcia who were also on scholarships in Fiji and Melbourne respectively.
Abigail broke down in tears upon hearing the news. They had paired to win the first silver medals for PNG in lawn tennis at the last South Pacific Games.
Mr Apisah said “It is going to be a big loss for the country - both physically and mentally. We have lost a good friend, daughter and a potential tennis coach for the country.”
Angat was well liked in her adopted home for the last seven years - four as a student of Regional Training Centre while the other three as Development Officer with RTC.
Angat returned to PNG after completion of her schooling and took up junior coaching at the home of tennis, BAVA court in Port Moresby before taking up an offer to join the centre as Development officer.
“Angat was a dedicated player and coach. She was part of the PNG team at the South Pacific Games last year where she won silver medals in the doubles in Apia Samoa.” Naga Reddy , president of Fiji Tennis Association said.
The 25-year old was the runner up in the Air Pacific Fiji Open last year. She won many open titles in Fiji and had also represented Central College of Lautoka in athletics.
Her untimely death sent shock waves throughout the tennis fraternity in the region who flooded the newsroom with condolences message
Patrick O’Rouke from Oceania Tennis Federation said Nicole has been a valued member of the coaching team at the ITF regional training centre in Lautoka for the past few years and has been developing her coaching skills to international level assisted by a coaching grant from Olympic Solidarity through the PNG NOC. As you will know she was a medal winner at last year’s SPG in Samoa.
Our condolences go to her family. It is a tragedy to lose someone so young and especially such a gifted athlete and coach. She has been a shining light in development level tennis in the Pacific in the past two years and will be greatly missed by all in tennis especially her students at the RTC in Lautoka.
Geoff Pollard from International Tennis Federation said “I am shocked to receive this sad news. Please give my condolences to her family. It is so difficult when she is so young and so far from home. I know you will do everything possible to ease the pain.
I hope all those in ITF House are handling the trauma and you can get them counselling if needed. God Bless
Simon Songo from GIF in Suva Fiji said Nicole has been a role model for the Oceania junior tennis kids at the ITF house in Lautoka. She has also helped our children here in Fiji in developing their skills in Tennis. She will surely be missed.
Please pass my deepest condolences to her family,and may her soul rest in peace.Rex Horoi said this came as a shock to all of us. An untimely death of a young and caring person whose skills, vision, dedication and caring attitude for other young people had come to an end too soon.. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, relatives, friends and those who knew her.. May her soul rest in peace.
Rex Horoi said this came as a shock to all of us. An untimely death of a young and caring person whose skills, vision, dedication and caring attitude for other young people had come to an end too soon.. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, relatives, friends and those who knew her.. May her soul rest in peace.
Henry Tavoa, the executive officer of VASANOC said VASANOC was shocked to hear of Nicole’s sudden passing. She was so full of life that it was caught by those of us who had come to know her even for just a few days. Our prayers are with her family.
John Shannon and family said, “What a tragedy, such a happy fun loving coach Nicole was. It must be so difficult for all the kids and staff at the ITF house. My daughter Annie and all of us at home cannot get over this terrible news. Please pass on our condolences and sympathy to her family.
Also I must thank you and Naga and whoever else was involved for all you have done in making all the arrangements possible.
FASANOC president Vidhya Lakhan said, “We at FASANOC are shocked to hear of Nicole’s passing away in such a terrible way. Please add FASANOC’s condolences to the many others you will be receiving for the family.
Torgun Smith of Guam Tennis Academy said he was very shocked and sorry to hear of this terrible accident.
Please pass our condolences to Nicole’s family and our PNG tennis community friends from Guam. This is very sad news. I will pass this one to all of the Guam tennis community.
Brett Baudinet said, “I’m almost lost for words. One truly beautiful woman that I will remember forever. Always bringing a smile to any situation when around her.
My deepest condolences to her family and her two friends and I will always remember my great friend “Nicole Smith” (as I called her).
You will be sorely missed my friend.
Nicole! Nicole! May your soul rest in peace

Previous | Back to Top | Next