Parker happy to be a finalist

Papua New Guinea Mixed and Men’s Netball Association (PNGMMNA) president Adam Parker says he is grateful for being nominated for the official-of-the-year gong at the SP Sports Awards.
“For the PNG Maleo’s national mixed netball team, it’s a real buzz,” Parker, pictured, told The National yesterday.
“Mixed and men’s netball is only fours years old in PNG and our international programme is only two years old.
“We were nominated on the back of our first international which was the Trans-Pacific Cup in Port Moresby in 2018 and the mixed team surprised everyone — even the Australians.
“To come out and beat the best netball nation in the world in our first international was outstanding.
“Being named as a finalist is a great honour and I am humbled by the recognition.
“It does show me that people recognise and appreciate the long hours, passion and commitment I have not only towards the PNG Mixed and Men’s Netball Association but also to the sport itself that.
“I like my fellow finalists, commit a lot of time and energy in our roles within our sports.
“We all have the passion and drive to see our sport succeed.
“In the end, as an expatriate, I was surprised but also honoured at the same time, to be recognised for the effort and passion I have for the sport of men’s and mixed netball as well as netball as a whole, is truly humbling.
“My chances of winning are the same as the others.
“But no matter who is awarded on the night, being a finalist is great.
“I will still continue to give opportunities to Papua New Guineans in mixed and men’s netball.”
Asked if he knew why he was nominated, Parker said: “I would like to think it was in recognition for the work that the executive of the PNGMMNA has done into promoting a code that is seen in PNG as a women’s sport.
“We started mixed and men’s netball from nothing and because of the dedicated people I work with, mixed and men’s netball is growing rapidly as a sport.
“We also have provided talented Individuals with opportunities to represent this great country and will continue to provide development pathways to representation in the years to come, starting with the Mixed and Men’s Netball World Cup in 2020 where we are taking four teams to represent PNG.”
Parker said he formed the association in November 2015, with the competition starting its maiden season in 2016.
“The international programme was formed in 2017, with our first international in 2018,” he said.
“I am the founding president of the association and all I have tried to do since the inception of the PNG Mixed and Men’s Netball Association is to give people who love playing the game the opportunity to participate in an organised competition.
“Since it’s inception, we have grown rapidly from 90 players in our competition in its first year to this year, seeing well over 800 players each week participating in men’s and mixed netball in Port Moresby as well as regional centres like Goroka and Alotau.
“I have been lucky enough to have played mixed and men’s netball for over 33 years.”