Determined to reach Nottingham

**Matamon in action during a national team trials for the Pacific Games against Corporate Touch Port Moresby’s development side last year. – Picture supplied**

By JAMIE HARO
A lone female touch footy player from Kainantu is determined to put in extra work and make Team PNG’s final open mix team for the 2024 Touch World Cup in Nottingham, England.
From Kemefa village in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, 27-year-old Linster Matamon hopes she can accomplish her goal of representing PNG and wearing the tri-colors in the future.
“I was inspired by a couple back home Elmo Pasiro and his wife Janet who motivated me to take up this sport. That’s when I picked up the ball and started playing at the age of 14,” Matamon said.
“They saw potential in me and helped push me past the limits to get to where I am today.”
Matamon has made two appearances for Team EHP at the 2012 PNG Games in East New Britain and 2014 Games in Morobe.
“Apart from PNG Games, I was privileged to attend several national touch championships representing Kainantu Touch in 2011 (Goroka), 2022 (Lae) and the recent one in Popondetta last year.”
“Last year’s NTC was an eye opener for me after I found out I made the extended squad for Team PNG that would prepare for the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands,” she told The National.

**Matamon making a ruck during the Team PNG trials against the Australian Defence Force touch team at the Sir John Guise Stadium last year. – Nationalfilepic**

She said despite not making the final 14 for the Pacific Games, it was a wholesome experience for her to train alongside some senior touch players where she learned a lot from the coaches.
“I played touch footy for fun growing up but when I started getting selected for district games, PNG Games and the National Champs, I knew I had to go an extra mile and coming this far is a great milestone achievement.”
“My dream is to wear the PNG jersey one day and represent my country at any regional or international event.
“It has been a great experience training alongside the touch veterans, especially my role model (Angela Watego) that I’ve looked up to her since I was a teenager.
“She is from the Highlands region and has represented PNG at the Pacific Games and World Cup many times and I’d like to see myself achieve that.”
Matamon said this was her chance to debut at the 2024 World Cup set for July.
She is currently playing for the FH Parapella in the Corporate Touch Port Moresby competition while undergoing training for the World Cup.