Hard work pays off

Normal, Sports
Source:

The National, Tuesday 11th June 2013

 By KYMLIE KARANI

SKIPPER of the Pacific MMI Pepes Winnie Mavara spoke well of the current coach, management and the new mix of players who had contributed to their recent historic performance.

Upon arrival at the Port Moresby Jacksons international airport yesterday, Mavara said their Pacific Netball Series (PNS) results came from hard work which had paid off.

The Pepes was a mixture of youth and experience in the likes of Kilala Owen, Kapu Kapi, Mavara, Maleta Roberts, Tiata Baldwin, Kula Iamo, Cheryl Renagi and youngsters Margaret Eka, Tau Galewa, Nerrie Adula and Marypaul Beulher.

The 34-year-old captain praised her coach Annie Iamo for her brilliance all throughout the team’s preparations leading up to the tournament.

“Coach Iamo along with the new mixture of girls in the team made the difference and I guess that’s what we were missing,” Mavara said.

The skipper did not hold back as she gave credit to 18-year-old debutant Eka for playing her heart out.

“For a first timer, she was outstanding all throughout the tournament. She was able to withstand the pressure,” Mavara said.

“We brought back good results and that is something we could not achieve since PNS first started. Truly a great achievement for PNG netball,” she added.

She described the outcome as an unexpected one.

Mavara told The National that it was one of those tournaments where she said she knew everyone had each other’s backs, all with the same mind sets that were focused from the start to the end of the last game.

“Our 14 point loss to Fiji really motivated us to beat Samoa and Cook Islands. I guess it also mentally and physically prepared us for our wins,” Mavara recalled.

Tiata Baldwin, Kilala Owen and Mavara were named best players of the tournament.

Mavara said she was looking forward to preparations for the Six Nations Netball Series in Singapore in December after their break.

The Pepes will commence training at the end of this month.