Apelis continues training in Australia under programme

PAPUA New Guinea Pepes goal defender Shannaz Apelis has been training with an Australian netball club for about a month after being selected through the Pacific Australia Sports and Athlete Immersion Programme.
Apelis was identified during the March Pacific Nations Netball Series in which the national team competed.
The 22-year-old is training with Queensland club Wildcats and is eager to compete soon.
“I’m humbled to be a part of the programme, it’s a great opportunity for netball-playing Pacific countries,” Apelis told The National.
“The Wildcats are great, they are multicultural and family-oriented, so I feel at home.
“Training has been good so far.
“I’m learning a lot and looking forward to taking the court in the coming weeks.”
Prior to joining the Pepes, Apelis was part of Port Moresby Netball Association club Sparrows which she joined as an Under-13 in 2012.
“During the off-season, I take part in the Public Servants Netball Competition, playing for the Bank of Papua New Guinea, my mum’s employer,” she said.
Apelis, from New Ireland and Bougainville, will be based in Brisbane for six months, undergoing high-performance training and playing for Wildcats.
Meanwhile, Netball PNG president Ulato Avei told this paper that Pepes goal shooter Goloa Ovoa had been selected through the same programme and would join Apelis in Brisbane. “I am really happy as it’s another achievement for Netball PNG,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity for our young netball athletes to improve their skills, and learn new culture and lifestyles. I would like to thank Netball Australia, Netball Queensland and the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”