Mixed netball series on

THE Papua New Guinea Mixed and Men’s Netball Association announced that Port Moresby will host to the world’s leading netball country, Australia in a three-game mixed and men’s netball Trans Pacific Cup in August.
The event took a year to secure with Australia netball side, the Sonix mixed and men’s teams, agreeing to come to PNG to help the PNGMMNA promote the sport and engage more men.
PNGMMNA president Adam Parker said: “Australia is arguably the most dominant netball country in the world. They can boast world cup champions not only in the women but also the national men’s and mixed which are both ranked No.1 in the world.” Parker said the test series with the Sonix would showcase that netball was no longer just a women’s game, as the majority of Papua New Guineans believe, but men’s and mixed netball at international level was fast, skilled, aerial and just as physical as any other major code.
“It is a rare opportunity for netball fans and sport in general to witness netball as never been seen before in PNG,” Parker said.
He said the test series will be hard fought and although the Australian are by far the best in the world, the PNG Maleo’s will not go down without a fight.
“We have spent the past year focusing on the development of core players in both the men’s and mixed and come August in our maiden international series we are quietly confident that the PNG Maleo’s will showcase to the other 36 countries that participating in international men’s and mixed netball championships that they will be a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
“This tour will also open up opportunities for PNG officials and umpires to be selected to officiate the series.”
Australia will bring two nationally and internationally badged umpires to help call the series.
Parker said the PNGMMNA would advertise for coaching staff positions and volunteers and would be looking for dedicated people who wanted to be part of the series.
Dates for an open selection trials will be advertised and will be open to all Papua New Guineans here and overseas who believe they have the skills and experience to play international netball.
“We are also keen to speak with any corporate entity who would like to partner with the PNGMMNA in hosting this first of a kind event in Port Moresby and who are willing to support a not for profit organisation bringing sporting diversity to PNG,” Parker said.
For all information on the Trans Pacific Cup contact the PNGMMNA at [email protected] or like and follow the PNGMMNA Facebook page.