Cup eyed to boost mixed, men’s netball

The Papua New Guinea Mixed and Men’s Netball Association (PNGMMNA) will take on Australia in Port Moresby in August in the first Trans-Pacific Cup.
“The Trans-Pacific Cup is designed to encourage more people to take up the sport,” PNGMMNA president and coach Adam Parker said.
“I think there is a massive stereotype around netball where it is seen as a women’s game,” he said.
“It is to showcase the potential of mixed and men’s netball and what it can be like at an international level, where it’s a lot faster, skilled, and fun and exciting to watch.”
“The goal is to promote the sport and engage more men.
“It’s been played internationally for over 50 years.
“Over the last three years, we have been developing the competition in Port Moresby.
“We are starting to expand to other provinces.
“We are the second association outside rugby league, to bring another world class Australian team for such a test match.” On May 28, trials will be held to choose from 50 players to make the national squad of 37.
“We are looking at 12 to 14 players per team and over the next 16 weeks, the squad and the teams have a training schedule designed to get them to their peak performance,” Parker said.
Barbara Arivusu, who plays for Veupunama’s mixed team in the Port Moresby netball competition, said she was hoping to make the squad.
Pepes’ Kilala Owen and Winnie Mavara are also looking forward to trials in the mixed team.
“Although we are not competing against the Australian open teams, we are under no illusions that the Australian reserve team will be any easier,” Parker said.
“We will face a highly skilled and dominant Australian outfit when they arrive in Port Moresby.”
The Trans-Pacific Cup tickets will go on sale in July, with people encouraged to turnout in numbers to support their country.