Mixed, men’s teams named for Trans Cup

PAPUA New Guinea’s first national mixed and men’s netball teams were named for the next month’s Trans Pacific Cup against Australia.
The series from Aug 30 to Spet 1 will be the international debuts for the PNG Maleo’s mixed and men’s teams against the Australian reserve mixed and men’s team in a three-game series at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
PNG Mixed and Men’s Netball Association president Adam Parker, pictured, was excited at the sport finally making its international debut.
“Never before has PNG had a national representative men’s or mixed team and we’re excited to see them on court next month,” Parker said.
“Over the past two months the squad of 36 has trained and prepared well. We realised that unlike women’s netball, men’s and mixed netball is an extremely physical, fast and arial game and with the help of the PNG High Performance Sport we’ve worked on our strength and conditioning as well as skills.”
Parker said getting the team together was challenging and was good to have a squad where any member could be named in the national team.
“Our squad have trained hard and should be proud of being part of something new and exciting.
“The teams comprise players who have a wealth of experience and players who over the past two years have developed into great players.”
Over the next eight weeks the squads will undergo more specialised training which will focus on their skills, their on court dynamics as well as player combinations.
The inaugural Trans Pacific Cup is a chance for the PNGMMNA and Netball PNG to show that netball is an inclusive sport which engages men.
“PNG has huge potential internationally and the more men we get into the game, the more depth we have,” Parker said.
“We’re looking at having teams from juniors to masters and the next Trans Pacific Cup will see a junior team heading to Australia to compete with the open teams.”
Tickets for the Trans Pacific Cup go on sale next month.
Parker said to be kept up to date on the event like the PNG Mixed and Men’s Facebook page.
Parker thanked the Australian governement, Ela Motors, Brian Bell Homecentres, Harts Sports, PNG High Performance Centre and PNG Sports Foundation.
He said they were still looking for sponsors to help host the series.
Interested individuals and companies can contact the president at [email protected].
Maleos mixed team: Maxwell Leka, Tavis Momberger, Lope Age, Jeffery Pala, Hardy Tom, Joyce Nao, Barbara Arivusa, Dianne Lahari, Winnie Mavara, Villie Napori, Susan Wellington, Kilala Owens; Coach: Lua Rikis; Maleo men’s team: Morea Sina, Kerna Sanua, Tom Kelly, Walo Renagi, Sonny Kemu, Augustine Kapua, Papora Billy, Donald Kala, Kompsie Tete, Omaro Ove, Geno Mani, Titi Gigimat, Kota Joseph; Coach: Lawrence Lahari.